Targeted Support Service

The Education and Skills Act 2008 legislated to raise the age of compulsory education or training to 18 years. This is to ensure every young person has the opportunity to gain skills and qualifications that enable them to progress onto higher education, employment and adulthood.

Part of this legislation is the guarantee that all young people leaving year 11 and year 12 have an offer of learning in the following September. Cambridgeshire County Council monitor and track which young people get that offer of learning. The council ensures that the number with an offer is as high as possible.

This statutory requirement does not mean that school leavers must continue with their Post 16 education in Secondary school. Post 16 education options include:

• Full or part time college
• Work based learning (with a training provider)
• Apprenticeships
• Traineeships
• Sixth forms
• Volunteering with part time study (accredited qualification)

Transition Advisers

A Transition Adviser provides information and support. They work with young people aged 16-18 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The Transition Adviser and young person will agree what support is needed to assist them back into education, employment or training.

Transition Advisers can help with:

• CV’s
• job and apprenticeship search 
• applications
• interview techniques.

For additional support, Transition Advisors can help with referrals to partner services.

In order to speak to a Transition Adviser in your local area, please contact:

Senior Transition Advisers

The role of a Senior Transitions Adviser is to ensure young people have a better understanding of their options to keep them engaged in learning and increase the likelihood of a smooth transition into Post 16, so they can continue their learning journey into adulthood.

Year 11 young people who have been identified by secondary schools as being vulnerable and at risk of NEET are able to request additional 1:1 support through an agreed referral process with CCC. The purpose of this support is to help young people overcome barriers when transitioning to post 16 education.

Senior Transitions Advisors:

• are qualified careers advisers
• are experienced in working with young people to help them make informed decisions
• ensure young people are aware of all options and potential career paths
• provide information and advice on current employment, training and education opportunities.

Young people who are receiving their education through alternative provision are allocated STAs. They do not need to follow the normal referral process.

Those who are electively home educated during their final year of statutory education will also be offered impartial careers guidance and advice by STAs. STAs will make contact with these young people and their families, via the elective home educated team within CCC.

Mainstream colleges can meet the needs of the majority of students. This includes those with SEND, and they have access to extra resources to do this. Information on college courses and facilities is available on the college websites.

Client Researchers

Client Researchers contact young people in year 11 to find out their plans for the following September. They contact them again once they leave year 11 and at various times until the young person reaches the age of 18. Contact will be by text, telephone, email, letter or outreach visits.

This is to identify young people’s current situation with employment and learning. It is also to find out if they need any help to find education, employment, learning opportunities or training.

Client Researchers will signpost to relevant other agencies including their local Transitions Adviser, other Targeted Support Service roles, or partner agencies.

Young People’s Workers

Young People’s Workers work with young people aged 11-19. They offer support to learn new life skills to build their confidence and resilience. This can include issues such as:

• healthy relationships
• making safe choices
• managing emerging mental health needs.

To work with a Young People’s Worker, a young person requires an Early Help Assessment (EHA). This helps us better understand their needs and make sure they are offered the right support. This is a voluntary service that requires the young person to give consent to work with a Young People’s Worker. The professional who completes the EHA will explain confidentiality and what we do with their information. They will also explain what will happen after the EHA is completed.

Targeted Youth Groupwork programmes

Young people may benefit from engaging in groupwork programmes. This can help them understand their challenges and gain skills to manage risks and make positive choices. 

Our programmes:

• provide a safe space for young people to learn and develop new life skills through informal education.
• help young people develop their confidence and self-esteem.
• help young people to gain knowledge and skills that builds their capacity and resilience to manage risks, solve problems and make positive choices.

Consent

Young people must give consent to take part in our programmes.

Our Targeted Youth Groupwork Programmes

Please contact your local district team to find out more about the programme and the referral process: