Purpose

The YES contract delivers the Council’s
statutory duty to provide appropriate and targeted IAG support to
those 16- and 17-year-old young people who face specific and
complex barriers to participation and are vulnerable and disengaged
from learning.

The provider is delivering the current contract well and
contributing to our improvements in reducing the numbers of 16-17
year olds who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).
Working relationships are well established with the provider and
between schools, colleges and other training partners. Extending
for the full three years will give the provider certainty and
enable plans to be put in place over a longer time period.
Re-procuring the contract now would be an inefficient use of
resources and distract from the focus on delivery and monitoring of
the existing contract.

Decision

A decision was made to extend by a period of
36 months the Youth Employability Service (YES) contract, up to 31
August 2028.