Improving Outcomes for Disadvantaged Young People

This publication sets out sixteen case studies of providers, who are working successfully to close the gap for young people aged 14-19 coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. In collaboration with YPLA, the Office for Public Management researched and wrote up the case studies. In some case studies, mainstream providers are going ‘the extra mile’ to engage and support students from areas characterised by high socio-economic deprivation; in others, third sector, statutory and private providers are concentrating their efforts on specific sub-groups of young people who are often marginalised and suffering economic disadvantage, and require something more tailored than universal provision can offer. The purpose of this booklet is to enable practitioners to share experiences of how they have tackled issues and overcome problems. It is not our intention to produce a ‘how to’ guide, rather it is to illustrate how different providers across England are tackling the achievement gap, including the challenges they have faced and the lessons they have learned along the way. By highlighting common success factors across the case study examples, we hope to offer useful learning to partners and all organisations engaged in seeking ways to address similar issues with disadvantaged young people. The Young People’s Learning Agency is working with the DfE, local authorities and other partners to close the attainment gap, to improve outcomes for all disadvantaged learners and ultimately to shape a system that rewards worth not birth.