Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures
Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Sussex Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures

7.2.6 YOT and Sussex Learning and Skills Council Protocol

The Sussex Learning and Skills Council (the SLSC) and the West & East Sussex and Brighton and Hove Youth Offending Teams are jointly committed to the national target of marking sure that 90% of young offenders supervised by the Youth Offending Teams are in full-time education, training or employment by 2004.

The SLSC and the Youth Offending Teams accept that suitable provision that meets the educational and training needs of young people is fundamental in preventing offending. The SLSC and the Youth Offending Teams will work as partners in developing initiatives which aim to maximise the participation in education or training of young offenders or those young people who are assessed by the Youth Offending Teams as being at high risk of offending.

The SLSC has agreed the following strategic objectives that are pertinent to the educational and training needs of young offenders aged 16-18:

  • to raise participation and achievement by young people in education or training.
  • to raise skill levels for national competitiveness.
  • to improve the quality and flexibility of education and training delivery.

SLSC has determined as a key priority for activity for 2003/04, the development of new progression routes for 14-19 year olds which includes young offenders. These will include:

  • Entry into Employment (E2E) developments.
  • 'Increased Flexibility' routes.
  • New 'Level 2' provision (especially vocational based).
  • New Level 1 provision (especially vocational based)

In each of the above cases there are capacity building funds to be allocated by SLSC in dialogue with the three Sussex Learning Partnerships.

In addition to these specific funds the SLSC has discretionary funds (LIDF) and a co-financing capacity for ESF, which it has been agreed will be utilised in building capacity in three main areas:

  • 14-19 development
  • Employer engagement
  • Strategic Area Reviews

These funds will be allocated in response to proposals received. It is recommended that YOT's are in close dialogue with the three Learning Partnerships over potential proposals.

SLSC has now taken over the core funding of Learning Partnerships in Sussex. The dialogue, therefore, between SLSC, YOT and the three Sussex Learning Partnerships is the priority route for determining new and increased opportunities for young offenders in education and training.

In particular, the SLSC will aim to engage the 20% of 16-18 year olds not currently in education or training.

Of young offenders aged 16-18 the SLSC will work with providers of education, Learning Partnerships, training and employment to encourage provision of suitable structured learning opportunities, and ensure that this is given the highest priority. In the case of young people who are released from custody, the SLSC recognise that these opportunities need to be appropriate and accessible upon release (delete "wherever possible")

Where difficulties arise SLSC will be the Youth Offending Teams point of contact who will explore barriers to gaining and maintaining provision with the providers. Youth Offending Teams will keep SLSC informed on progress.

This agreement will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.


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