Building on the findings from the peer review, Southend-on-Sea received support as part of the LGA’s Economic Growth Advisers programme to identify ways to improve outcomes for 18-25s.
The commission focused on carrying out research which created an evidence base for interventions to support the 18-25s age group. This comprised of:
- a data and engagement-led approach to provide a clear understanding of the different cohorts
- a mapping of support for different pathways
- an understanding of gaps and obstacles for interventions.
Emerging evidence on the economic and social impact of COVID-19 shows that young people are one of the worst-affected groups, particularly in terms of the labour market and mental health outcomes. There are an estimated 14,903 young people aged 18-25 resident in Southend-on-Sea. Locally, the data shows that:
- as of December 2020, just over half of young people[1] were in work (57%)
- 12% of the cohort or 1,800 were unemployed (Nov 2020) (Alternative claimant count)
- of the remaining 31% classed as economically inactive, 2530 (or 17% of the overall figure) are in full time education
- 14% were estimated to be economically inactive/not claiming.
The general view is that future provision for young people, needs to be flexible, responsive, and personalised to meet needs, opportunities and requirements and not necessarily be shaped by age criteria. The aspiration set out in the Southend 2050 ambition is to secure “fulfilling careers for all”.
The research carried out by the advisers confirms that there is a lot of good practice on which to build: the expertise and commitment of stakeholders including the pioneering work of the Adult Community College and YMCA; the willingness of the partners to engage and develop services; the relatively high levels of satisfaction with school-based careers advice from the better qualified students and high praise for the support that disadvantaged young people receive post 16. New funding opportunities such as Kickstart and other European Social Fund programmes indicate that, in the short term, funding isn’t a constraint. Capacity is an issue and there is a need for better communication and signposting to the wealth of support that is there and open it out to all young people not just those unemployed or those claiming Universal Credit.
Suggested actions include:
- Embed the needs and aspirations of young people within the policy framework, specifically within the council’s Skills Strategy refresh.
- Address the concerns of young people through holistic support, helping them address their current needs rather than their future prospects to ensure that they benefit over the long-term from careers support when the time is right.
- Extend the provision of the experience of work.
- Simplify and communicate the employment and skills landscape.
- Provide leadership and coordination, with the council providing co-ordination, supporting and facilitating collaboration and providing local intelligence.
- Ensure that services are inter-connected through ‘wraparound’ services for young people, for example YMCA and A Better Start Southend (ABSS) covering health, well-being, safeguarding as well as providing support and advice to training, employment and education.
- Provide a continued focus on Education to Employment transition to ensure that quality, consistent and bespoke provision is available for young people moving from education to employment.
- Provide an enhanced sector focus including considering the opportunity for further sector-led skills programmes (such as those for care and construction) with regards to hospitality, digital and retail.
- Incentivise local employers to create high quality employment opportunities for young people and improve local take-up of employment programmes including Kickstart, Apprenticeships and Traineeships.
- Promote the Good Youth Employment Charter.
[1] Annual Population Survey data is only available for 16–24-year-olds not 18–25-year-olds.