In October 2004 the Working Group on 14-19 Reform, chaired by Sir Mike Tomlinson, published its final report. On 23rd February 2005, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) published the 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper (see link at the bottom of the page).
The White Paper sets out hoe the government will fulfil the educational needs and aspirations of every young person. Government Offices act on behalf of the DfES in support of the aims of the White Paper, which are to:
- Ensure that every young person masters functional English and Maths before they leave education.
- Improve vocational education through the introduction of new Specialised Diplomas.
- Stretch all young people and help universities to differentiate between the best candidates.
- Re-motivate disengaged learners.
- Ensure delivery.
Within the Government Office for London, the 14-19 team is working to ensure that the national 14-19 reforms result in improved outcomes for young people. Key priorities for the Government Office for London include ensuring that the range of options available can engage young people, provide them with qualifications that are recognised by employers, Higher Education Institutes and the public and allow them to reach their potential.
A key part of our work involves working closely with Local Authorities and other partners, especially Learning and Skills Councils, to support their plans to raise attainment at age 19, and reducing the numbers of people aged 16-18 Not Engaged in Education, Employment and Training (NEET), is a priority for us.
We are using the 14-19 Progress Checks, Priorities Meetings and Annual Performance Assessments, as well as the Joint Area Review processes, to ensure that Local Authorities can provide access to new diploma lines and to agree local priorities relating to 14-19.
Youth Matters Team
The Government Office for London's Youth Matters Team works on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to promote government policies for teenagers and to manage DfES funded programmes to ensure they achieve agreed targets.
In particular, the team focus on Annual Performance Appraisal (APA) and Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets to reduce the number of young people 16-18 Not Engaged in Education, Employment and Training (NEET).
The team's work includes:
- Supporting the implementation of Youth Matters: Next Steps policies in London;
- Supporting the successful transition of services funded through the Connexions Grant to Local Authority responsibility working through Children's Trust or LAA arrangements;
- Programme and performance managing DfES funded services for young people:
- Services funded through the Connexions Grant;
- Positive Activities for Young People;
- Millenium Volunteers;
- NEETs Re-engagement Support Fund
- Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds
- Providing Children's Services Advisers (CSAs) with policy advice and evidence-based analysis for services for young people, to help them support and challenge Local Authorities and their partners through the Every Child Matters (ECM) Change for Children cycle and to help them negotiate Local Area Agreements.
