Care leavers’ transition into the labour market in England

This will be the first large scale, national statistical research to be undertaken in England to look at the relationship between care leavers’ participation in education, employment, training or being NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) at age 21, and their earlier individual experiences of care and education (before age 16 and after age 16).

By linking a number of national datasets for the first time for the cohort who turned 21 in 2016-2017, detailed analysis will focus on the predictors for employment and the relative success of various groups of young people from the same birth cohort.

The perspectives of care leavers, young people and key people in their lives including foster carers and a range of professionals from local authorities, education and employment sectors will also be gathered through interviews and focus groups.

The findings will assist policy makers and service providers to better support care-experienced young people into employment and mitigate the risks of their becoming NEET.

External team

The Rees Centre is collaborating with the University of York – team members include: Jo Dixon, Department of Social Work & Social Policy.

Former Rees Centre team member: Neil Harrison, now University of Exeter, School of Education.