Connexions

Who put the x in Connexions? What is Information, Advice and Guidance Structure and Delivery Performance Next steps Parents and Carers - a question for the trust.

Connexions Connexions is a service for young people and increasingly their parents/Carers. Established in 2001 by the then Labour Government Provides universal access to Information, Advice and Guidance alongside access to needs-led personal support for young people aged 13 to 19 (and up to the age of 25 for young people who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities). 10,000 young people. Transfer to the Local Authority in Funded via the new Area Based Grant. Reduce the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)

Information, Advice and Guidance Information, advice and guidance is a key element of Local Authority integrated youth support services. It is an umbrella term. It covers a range of activities and interventions that help young people to become more self-reliant and better able to manage their personal and career development, including learning.

Information, Advice and Guidance information – accurate, up-to-date and objective information about personal and lifestyle issues, learning and career opportunities, progression routes, choices, where to find help and advice and how to access it advice – activities that help young people to gather, understand and interpret information and apply it to their own situation guidance – impartial guidance and specialist support to help young people understand themselves and their needs, confront barriers, resolve conflicts, develop new perspectives and make progress

Structure Service Manager Team Coordinator CEIAG Team Co-ordinator NEET Data and Information Manager 7 Personal Advisers sited within Secondary Schools (including Catcote) and local Colleges 8 Personal Advisers sited within One Stop Shop, local Training provision and targeting vulnerable groups Data and Information Officers x2 Keeping in Touch Workers x2 Planning Officer

Delivery School assemblies from Year 9 One to one Guidance Interviews Sector specific group work Dedicated Connexions Room in all Secondary Schools Educated other than at School Options talks Tutor Groups Parents Evenings and Results Days Section 139A Assessments plus attendance at all SEN reviews Home Visits (often jointly with Attendance officers) Annual Choices Event One Stop Shop Facility on Tower Street Delivery from Community venues

Performance year old NEETS Baseline average NEET % Nov Jan 2005 Nov 2006 – Jan 2007 Nov 2007 – Jan 2008 Nov 2008 – Jan 2009 Nov 2009 – Jan 2010 Nov 2010 – Jan 2011 Nov 2011 – Jan 2012 Hartlepool Targets 10.4%8.7%8.9%8.4%8.0%7.6%7.4% Progress11.5%8.5%7.9%

John Coles (DCSF) ‘One city in the North that had gone back to monitor the progress of long-term Neets who had left the education system 10 years ago found one profoundly shocking thing, of their long-term Neets who had been out of the system for a long time fifteen per cent of those Young people of 10 years ago were dead.’

NEET in Hartlepool It is important to remember that ‘NEET’ is a state of being, rather than a definable group of young people. 2% of year olds are “long term NEET” At any one time, over 80% of the NEET group is actively seeking education, employment or training. In recent years Hartlepool has had the highest percentage of Year 11 leavers in the North East enter into learning: 2007 (92.2%) 2008 (93.5%)

Next Steps Child and Adult Services (Think Family) Integrated Youth Support Services Team Around the Secondary Schools National IAG Strategy (put back to Autumn…)

A Key Question Recent National and local research indicates that young people site the following as their primary sources of Information, Advice and Guidance: Teachers 66% Parents 50% Internet 42% Connexions 31% Whilst no one source can do it alone and the above would seem appropriate given levels of contact, how do we ensure that parents/carers (in particular) are well placed to provide accurate and up to date IAG?