Decision

The Children and Education Scrutiny Committee:

1. Noted the report and presentation concerning the Destination Tracking Improvement Action Plan, including performance relating to participation tracking, young people recorded as NEET or Not Known, partnership working and improvements to the quality and timeliness of data collection.
2. Noted that whilst the report provided a useful overview of destination tracking arrangements and demonstrated the work underway to improve the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of participation data, Members considered that the wider NEET agenda extends beyond destination tracking alone.
3. Noted that the Committee's original request for the report included consideration of:
   • current NEET numbers and trends;
   • analysis of key cohorts, including care experienced young people, young people with SEND and other vulnerable learners;
   • the principal reasons young people become NEET;
   • evidence relating to interventions and outcomes;
   • regional and national benchmarking; and
   • risks, challenges and opportunities for improvement.
4. Welcomed the progress being made through the Destination Tracking Improvement Action Plan and the additional staffing, partnership arrangements and performance measures being implemented to improve tracking and support for young people.
5. RESOLVED, in principle, to establish a time-limited NEET Task and Finish Group to undertake a more detailed evidence-based review of the underlying causes, outcomes and effectiveness of interventions, particularly for vulnerable cohorts including care experienced young people, those with SEND and learners at greatest risk of disengagement.
6. Agreed that detailed Terms of Reference, membership and timescales for the Task and Finish Group be developed by the Chair and Vice-Chair in consultation with officers and brought forward through the Committee's work programme.