Agenda item

To agree preliminary findings and further work to be undertaken as part of the Panel’s project on youth transition.

The Chair reported that the Panel had been disappointed that it had not been able to make more progress with the project.  In particular, she thought that they had not necessarily received evidence from the right children and young people so far. Not all young people wished to go to university and a significant number were more interested in vocational options.  Part of the evidence received appeared to suggest that some young people felt at a disadvantage coming from the local area.  Many young people also went out of borough for post 16 education as they appeared to be of the view that there were more exciting opportunities elsewhere.   It was intended that the further work by the Panel would examine these issues.

Panel Members expressed concern at developments within post 16 education within the borough.  Both the Tottenham University Technical College (UTC) and Haringey 6^th Form College appeared to be experiencing challenges in recruiting students. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families stated that she shared the concerns of the Panel regarding post 16 education in the east of the borough.  The 6^th Form College now had a new Principal who was committed to increasing its attractiveness to potential students.  The UTC should be an attractive post 16 option for young people and efforts were being made to increase its visibility and profile.  In addition, a national digital college was to be launched that would provide another option for local young people.  Alternative options outside of the borough were not necessarily better than what was provided locally.

Panel Members stated that the work on this issue had to be considered within the context of the inequalities that existed within the borough.  Haringey was one of the most unequal boroughs in London and, in particular, there were particular inequalities based on ethnicity.  There was also an issue relating to travelling across the borough as there certain places where young people would not go due to rivalries based around post codes.  Many schools in the east of the borough did not have 6^th forms so provision was something that would need to be looked at, particularly as young people were now required to stay on until they were 18.  It would be useful to find out what colleges outside of the borough were doing to attract students.  Haringey did not necessarily need to compete directly but could instead focus on creating its own niche.  For example, it could concentrate on vocational routes in areas where there were skills shortages. 

In respect of the 6^th Form College, the Cabinet Member reported that it had now become an academy.  Work was taking place with it in order to bring about improvements.  The college had been set up at a time when schools in the east of the borough were not performing well and the intention was that it would attract a sufficient number of students to make it a viable proposition.  However, schools in the east were now performing very well but most still did not have 6^th forms.  In addition, a greater level of academic rigour was now often required in post 16 options.

The Panel noted that discussions had taken place between the Chair and officers from the Children and Young People’s Service regarding how to take the work of the project forward.  It was proposed that the following be undertaken:

·         Visits to two local schools to hear how they provide impartial advice and guidance to young people and, in particular, those between the ages of 12 and 14.  This could also provide an opportunity to raise the issues brought up by children and young people during the earlier consultations undertaken by the Panel;

·         Comparisons with other local authorities.  It was noted that work regarding this has taken place as part of the Post 16 Review undertaken by the Council’s Corporate Delivery Unit; and

·         A final evidence gathering session to which relevant officers in the Children and Young People’s Service would be invited to update the Panel on work that is currently being done and recent developments.

AGREED:

1.    That the preliminary findings of the Panel for the project, as outlined in the report, be approved; and

2.    That the proposed programme of further work be approved.