1. North London E2E project Paula Dunkley WBL Consultant

2. Activity • North London LSC recruited a consultant to deliver project activity • Investigating factors contributing to reduced number of learners in E2E programmes • Produce a detailed report on findings • Deliver a workshop to discuss the outcomes of the research and look at possible solutions

3. Research • E2e provision • Connexions PA • Analysis of management information • A review of referral process

4. Findings • NEET • Comparison of cohort data for Jan 06 and 07 revealed similar number of young people in the NEET cohort • Although NEET numbers have fallen from 7.6% to 6.6% over the same period the proportion of ‘not Known’ has increased slightly – resulting in little change in data

5. Findings • Referral and Recruitment to E2E • Starts on E2E has increased by 26% from to 2005/06 to 2006/07 • Connexions did not collect data on number of referrals to E2E – cannot calculate % referrals to starts. • One providers collated data. By period 10 - 463 young people were referred 273 over half turned up for interviews 173 (38%) resulted in starts

6. Referral or recruitment continued • inadequate or inappropriate referrals Significant numbers of learner do not arrive for interview or their allocated start date – some learners are level 2 standard. • Colleges are increasing entry points – Jan • Limited alternative provision • PA felt E2E was less attractive to young people • EMA forms and EMA generally • E2E less effective in moving young people forward

7. Learners in Learning • Number of learners on E2E places by 22.4% • Numbers of learners in learning down by 30% 498 – 350 • Connexions report views expressed by Young people on EMA • Not enough money • Less motivated to attend E2E • EMA being an incentive for college not E2E

8. Retention in E2E • 15% learners leave the provision in less than 6 weeks • Less than 20% of early leavers make a positive progression • Inappropriate referral and the quality of initial assessment and induction • Poor attendance • Unable to cope with demands of E2E • Poor delivery • External issues

9. Progression and length of stay • Progression rates have fallen in the last 12 months • Average length of stay has fallen in response to LSC demands – has created a churn effect • Lack of alternative provision • Missed opportunities to develop clear progression pathways ie pre e2e- Apprenticeships • Lack of understanding of learners needs, referrals agency and providers.

10. Recommendations • E2E Group agree monthly targets for referrals to E2E for each Connexions office based on numbers of NEET • Providers should continue to be pro-active in recruitment of learners • Providers should consider offering a wide range of E2E taster days to local schools • The LSC should assist providers and Connexions in building a better understanding of progression pathways

11. Recommendations cont. • Providers should review their induction programmes and the first 4 weeks of delivery • Connexions should provide referral information to the North London E2E group • E2E group should monitor starts, referrals and success rates for specific sub-groups – target young people from vulnerable groups • Providers should review their programme – focusing on progression routes and work placements

12. Recommendations cont 9. Provider should consult local Connexions offices on specific themes that would recruit young people and develop themed E2E programmes ie. Construction, Music, or H&SC • E2E group should track and record unauthorised absence rates for each provider • Providers should place greater emphasis on promoting e2e; ie child benefit, travel & bonuses • Providers should produce case studies of learners eligible and non-eligible for EMA who have successfully progressed.

13. E2E/FLT Event • Steady or rising NEET • Some E2E providers operating under capacity • Some Connexions offices requesting more provision • Reduced average lengths of stay on E2E • Likelihood of a move towards Foundation Learning Tier programme in 12-18 months

14. Facilitated topics of discussion • What learning and support needs are young people presenting to E2E with, and what strategies and approaches tend to work best in meeting these needs? • What are the characteristics of learning programmes that would better meet young people’s needs? • What action could be taken now to improve the situation? What action could be taken in the medium/ long-term to improve the situation?

15. Foundation Learning Tier • New resources QIA website • Nicky Carey 0870 1620 632 • QCA – leaflets • Four progression pathways • Full level 2 • Supported employment • 14-19 students GSCE’s • Pre-Apprenticeship route