Connexions
Connexions is a service within the SEND and education section of Leicester City Council. It is an impartial careers service for young people aged 16-18, or up to 25 for those who are care leavers or who have an EHCP (education, health and care plan). Our priority is to reduce the numbers of young people in Leicester who are NEET (not in employment, education or training).
About our organisation
We aim to prevent young people becoming NEET by providing information, advice and guidance to the most vulnerable in their final year at school. This includes looked after children, those with an EHCP, those known to the youth justice system and those on alternative provision.
We do everything possible to ensure all those leaving school at the end of year 11 have an offer of learning for the following September; we do the same at the end of year 12 too.
Any young people who do become NEET can be offered support for up to 2 years after they leave school, with the aim of moving them into something positive.
The service delivers the statutory duty of the local authority to report on the whereabouts of all those in academic years 12 and 13 (approximately 10,000 young people).
The online e-prospectus and application system, PS16 is managed within the service.
We are leading on the growth of supported internships in Leicester.
About our UKSPF provision
There is a concern about the lack of choice in post-16 options for young people who are at level 2 and below. It is particularly difficult for those who are not able, or not ready, to enrol onto a college course at the start of the academic year. UKSPF funding has been allocated to enable us to put on additional provision at three points in the year. This provision is aimed at those who are NEET and looks to offer flexible, vocational training places and to avoid large number of young people having periods of long-term unemployment or inactivity.
Two training providers, YEP and Trans4m will deliver this provision in the summer holidays, and then again in October and January, and these short intensive courses will cover a vocational element (such as mechanics, construction, or health and social care) as well as wrap around pastoral support and a focus on employability, teamwork, resilience and a positive progression.
The provision is based in the city centre, and we welcome young people who are NEET from anywhere in the city.
Contact details
Abigail Kearley
0116 454 1770
Connexions website