Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Scrutiny Review of Post 16 Provision

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report by the People Select Committee following it’s review of the Borough’s post-16 education offer, including the factors affecting attraction, retention and the number of young people who become NEET.

It was explained that, although Stockton-on-Tees had a broad post-16 offer across five providers, enrolment had been affected by young people choosing out-of-borough provision and NEET rates remained high. A Post-16 Partnership was already bringing providers and relevant Council services together around excellence, communications and marketing, careers and transitions which was contributing to increased engagement, rising application numbers and stronger alignment with the local labour market. The Committee’s recommendations build on that work, with particular emphasis on improving transitions, early identification of disengagement, careers education, collaboration between providers, use of labour-market intelligence, enrichment opportunities, transport and coherent vocational pathways.

RESOLVED that:-

1. Transition support be strengthened by developing a consistent borough-wide transition framework between schools and post-16 providers, including clear pre-enrolment guidance, earlier course matching, data sharing, and structured support during the first term/end of Year 12 when drop-out risk was highest.

2. Early warning systems for flagging declining attendance, behaviour, and attainment be embedded across all post-16 providers with clear escalation and intervention pathways in place before disengagement reached crisis point.

3. Collaborative initiatives that showed signs of successfully assisting young people, such as Teach Meets, Skills for Success, and Business Mentor Support, be expanded to all providers, prioritising subjects with historically smaller student cohorts.

4. Communication between all providers and young people and their parents/carers regarding the Post-16 in-Borough offer be strengthened.

5. Careers education be embedded into the curriculum in all schools and post-16 providers to ensure young people choose the right pathways for them and reduce early withdrawal, including careers advice and post-16 options from Year 9 (or earlier), resources and staff training linking subjects to employment, and clear course expectations, progression routes and employment outcomes.

6. Labour-market intelligence and cohort growth data be utilised to plan academic, vocational and apprenticeship provision more strategically, to ensure capacity keeps pace with demand and competition between age groups does not disadvantage younger learners.

7. Cross-provider enrichment opportunities be broadened to not only create a more competitive offer compared with regional competitors but also raise aspirations.

8.     Post-16 providers explore collaborative approaches and strategic networks to address transport barriers, highlighted as a significant influence on post-16 choice including connectivity to all in-Borough post-16 providers and cost, so young people can access efficient, cost effective in-borough provision.

9. Post-16 providers ensure that vocational courses provide

          coherent pathways to meet industry requirements.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The review was included in the 2025-2026 Scrutiny Work Programme and was complete. The recommendations are intended to strengthen the existing collaborative work and improve post-16 outcomes for young people in the Borough.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight on Friday 25 September 2026