STORY
Councils are being given additional support to identify vulnerable teenagers who may be missing from official education, employment or training records.
The Department for Education said new data showed 32,100 so-called ‘Phantom NEETs’ were unaccounted for, with some councils missing information for large numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds. Official statistics published in March estimated that 57,000 young people aged 16 and 17 were not in education, employment or training.
Bridget Phillipson is writing to all councils setting out expectations for improving identification and support. The Government is also rolling out a Risk of NEET Indicator tool, using factors such as poor attendance, special educational needs and care experience to help councils intervene earlier.