Our research into the factors associated with higher risk of NEET at age 18-25 has highlighted several issues best addressed at an earlier age, such as school attendance, exclusion and low attainment at GCSE. However, there is limited evidence on what works to improve employment outcomes for young people in this age group, especially in England.
Our Youth Employment Toolkit found that mentoring and coaching are likely to have a relatively small impact on youth employment outcomes. However, this evidence covers a wide range of contexts and approaches, especially in terms of frequency and duration of support. We need to know more about the kinds of approaches to mentoring and coaching that are most likely to be effective and understand the impact on younger ages. This is why we want to develop and test a robust, high-quality model of targeted support for young people aged 14-16 at risk of becoming NEET.
Starting in 2024, the programme will deliver a mentoring offer to up to 500 young people. This initial demonstrator phase aims to test and refine the core offer and key delivery parameters. During this period, Youth Futures will also identify appropriate interventions to include in the wider package of wraparound support.
This wider package will be delivered in a future phase, which will be funded through a separate funding round. In total, the programme will support at least 5,000 young people between 2024 and 2029, with evaluation continuing until 2033.
Call for Expression of Interest
Youth Futures Foundation is seeking to appoint a delivery partner for the demonstrator phase of our new programme, Building Futures.
This funding round will fund the establishment, delivery and evaluation of an initial “test and learn” demonstrator of the Building Futures approach. The demonstrator will set up in April, and run from May 2024 to July 2025, with the potential to extend to July 2026.
We aim to reach up to 500 young people aged between 14 and 16 identified as at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
We have allocated a budget of up to £600,000 for this demonstrator phase. Youth Futures will use the insights and learning from the demonstrator to inform the development, design and specification of an impact evaluation.
Interested parties should submit an Expression of Interest listing existing activities and delivery capabilities in relation to this age group, along with relevant information about your organisation. This can be completed here.
The deadline for receipt of completed Expressions of Interest is 10am 22 January 2024.
If you have further questions, or need help, please contact us if by calling on 020 7553 4539 or emailing [email protected].
Successful organisations will be invited to complete a full application. The deadline for full applications will be close of business on 1 March 2024.
