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Two out of five Bolton teenagers are not in education or work nearly a year after leaving school, figures reveal – and charities are blaming barriers like poverty and a “mental health crisis”. More than 300 borough 16- to 17-year-olds were not in education, employment or training (NEET) out of a cohort of nearly 8,000 – the highest number seen since 2021, according to the Department for Education (DfE). Charities that help NEET young people like BLGC, formerly Bolton Lads and Girls Club , have seen an increase in "barriers" that put teenagers at risk of leaving education in the pandemic.
Sarah Randall, Deputy CEO of BLGC, said: “The things that lead young people to end up NEET have escalated since coronavirus. “Many left school early or had their education disrupted at the time. “There were young people who tried to do school at home in the pandemic and never went back in person after that.
“Many struggled with their mental health. “Children are having a mental health crisis in this country. It doesn’t stop when you become a young person.
” Left to right: BLGC CEO Emma Hutchinson and Deputy CEO Sarah Randall (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest) BLGC runs programmes like On Track, one-to-one job coaching for NEET young people. She said: “A lot of our support is an employability coach taking the time to understand a young person’s challenges and barriers rather than assuming anything – that’s what works. “It’s important to have compassion rather than say it’s their fault that they haven’t got a job.
“Coronavirus has had an impact on young people’s ability to mix with others after spending so much time on their own at home – and on smartphones. “Many don’t have the confidence to put themselves out there for job interviews. “A lot struggle with their CV because they feel like they have no work experience.
There aren’t always jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds. “The longer you’re NEET, it perpetuates a feeling of low self-worth. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“[Money is also a factor]. We’ve helped young people who’ve not had the money for bus fares. "We've worked with others who are older and live on benefits in their own flat - and every penny is accounted for.
"For them, something people might take for granted like buying a suit might be a problem.” Girls have traditionally been at greater risk of being NEET because of care obligations or family responsibilities. But fewer were out of education in the pandemic years - with 17 less school-leaving girls NEET in Bolton in 2021 and 19 less the following year.
But last year, there were 30 more NEET girls aged 16 to 17 than the year before – and only four more boys. Headspace Bolton offers NEET youth programmes with creative skills like film and photography with the help of Connexions – a Bolton Council careers guidance service for NEET young people and those who are care-experienced. It has seen more girls in its latest course.
Ginny Allende , co-founder of Headspace Bolton, said: “There are six young people in the latest cohort – mostly girls. “The group is one that could easily fall through the net. They’re quiet, aren’t disruptive and some have been at home since coronavirus.
“They came to us because they were creative. Ginny Allende (Image: Public) “Many may be undiagnosed neurodivergent, young carers or have other issues like poverty or discrimination. “I don’t know for sure.
We don’t ask them to tell their story because they might get retraumatised. “We just open opportunities for them to grow. We work with them in small groups and focus on the things that interest them in practical ways.
“Our classes are set up for them to control, they decide how and when. “They seem to need the space to work individually rather than meeting specific targets. “Everything has been structured for them [in school].
We want them to feel in control and not have to explain themselves as they’re very anxious. “This helps them manage it. “It was really difficult at the start.
They had a lot of one-to-one support from Connexions to come and work with us. “Their attendance rate was very hit and miss and now it’s very regular. For some it took a few weeks where they would come but leave early.
“Now, they arrive early and leave late to help us finish downloading footage and put equipment away. “They want to spend more time here. At Christmas, they chose to start as soon as possible and work through half term.
“We’re starting to see them thrive. Some have told us that [coming to our course] was the first time they’d stepped out the door. “They communicate incessantly online.
A group of them went to Bolton Museum . They’re starting to think of a career in the creative field. “The education system seems focused on achieving targets and results.
The curriculum is becoming narrower and more about getting jobs and not exploring who we are as humans. “We have a lot of young people lost in our very complicated targeted system and it’s under-resourced. “But in the creative sector and a lot of other industries, many get into it through hands-on experience.
Creativity doesn’t always require a traditional pathway.” Teachers have also agreed that the curriculum is too regimented. Robert Poole, teacher and (title) said: “Cuts have left many young people, particularly those from working-class backgrounds, without resources like careers advice to successfully transition from education to employment.
“The education system itself isn’t designed to meet the needs of all young people. “The narrowing of the curriculum to satisfy the exam factory style of education forced upon schools by league tables and Ofsted means that those who thrive in vocational or creative fields are often marginalised. “This means that many 'fall through the cracks'.
” Bolton saw 323 16 to 17-year-olds not in education or training last year, the second highest total since there were 347 in 2021. But numbers only rose 0.1 per cent from the year before.
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Although the number of NEET young people in Bolton in the 16-17 academic year was higher this January compared to a year ago, the rise was only 0.1 per cent and this is lower than the rise nationally for the same period. “At 4.
1 per cent, Bolton’s NEET figure is only slightly higher than the national average, which is 3.5 per cent, and the gap is closing. “Bolton Council has received funding from the UKSPF NEET grant to provide more support to our most vulnerable young people.
“This targeted approach through the Next Generation Bolton programme offers mentoring, wrap-around support and engagement to help young people gain experience of the workplace, as well as qualifications for work.”.
