About this study

A Government initiative to encourage disengaged young people back into education, employment and training has had a small but positive impact, according to an evaluation carried out by our researchers.

You can read some key findings from the evaluation here, more detailed findings in a four page PDF here and the full report here.

Participants in the pilots were given financial incentives, intensive support from an adviser and took part in activities that were tailored to their needs and interests. These activities could be job related, focused on personal development or College based.

Background to the study
This evaluation was carried out on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It was part of a wider evaluation carried out by a consortium including NatCen, the Institute for Employment Studies and the Centre for Employment and Industry.

Potential policy impact

The findings from this evaluation highlight the challenges that face Government as it moves towards raising the age of participation in education or training to 18 by 2015.

Methods

The impact of the Activity Agreement Pilots was measured by conducting interviews and comparing the activities of 1,018 participants with a matched comparison group of 2,291 young people.

The young people selected to take part in this study were aged between 16 and 17 years old and were classified as long-term NEET, having not been in education, employment or training for at least 15 weeks.