3 - Annual Participation Measure 2023
North Ayrshire Council · 7 November 2023
Back to Cabinet — 7 November 2023 and its agenda
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 7 November 2023 Cabinet Title: Annual Participation Measure 2023 Purpose: To update Cabinet on: (i) the Annual Participation Measure (APM) for 2023 Recommendation: That Cabinet: a) Notes the content of the report, including the improvement in the APM for North Ayrshire for 2023; and b) Notes the improved collaboration to support this improvement. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 This report explains and summarises the Annual Participation Measure (APM) which is a measurement of the proportion of 16–19-year-olds participating in education, training or employment over a whole year (1st April-31st March). The indicator provides a measure of the status of the wider aged 16-19 cohort – not just those who have left school. 1.2 The APM has been adopted in the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework as the measure of young people’s participation. This has replaced the school leaver destination follow up as the source of the national indicator in the framework: Percentage of young adults (16–19-year-olds) participating in education, training or employment. 1.3 The current 2023 APM for North Ayrshire sits at 93.9% which is the highest on record since the APM began in 2016 and continues a positive 3-year trend from 2021. 2. Background 2.1 The APM is published by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and uses the shared data set held by SDS on their Customer Support System. The headline participation status (participating, not participating and unconfirmed) is based on the classification with the highest number of days over the year. Participation is defined as: • School pupil • Further Education • Higher Education • Modern Apprenticeship • Full-Time Employment • Part-Time Employment
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• Self-Employed • Employability Fund Stages • Other Formal Training; Personal/ Skills Development • Voluntary Work. 2.2 The Participation Measure data set is the shared status data for young people aged 16- 19 held on the SDS customer support system. Partners who input to the shared data set are SDS, Local Authorities, Schools, Colleges, Student Awards Agency Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council and Department for Work and Pensions. Central to the creation of the shared dataset is the sharing of information to allow partners to identify what young people are doing in ‘real time’ throughout their 16-19 journeys. It also allows all partners to improve service delivery and provide a more tailored offer. 2.3 The inclusion of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) data, for the first time in 2023, has contributed to improved data quality and an increase in participation. Since April 2023, HMRC has shared employment data with SDS for statistical purposes only. Although the data did not cover the whole of the period of interest it led to an increase in young adults reported as participating in employment and a reduction in those with an unconfirmed status. 2.4 Although the APM publication is annual, local authorities and schools can access their own data via the SDS 16+ Data Hub at any time. The Data Hub is updated monthly by all partners and allows ongoing and specific targeting of young people to support partnership working to improve outcomes. 2.4 As Shown in Appendix 1, the 2023 APM showed that of the 5,872 16-19 year olds in North Ayrshire 93.9% were in education, employment or training and personal development. This is the highest on record since the APM started in 2016. 2.5 Within specific ages, trends are notable. Across the years on record since 2016, average APM within North Ayrshire for specific ages are; • 16yr olds- 99.1% • 17yr olds- 96.4% • 18yr olds- 92.5% • 19yr olds- 87.2% 2.5 As shown in Appendix 2, North Ayrshire has the 2nd highest level of improvement in participation for young people when compared with all local authority areas in Scotland highlighting the need for and success of targeted interventions. 2.6 As demonstrated in Appendix 3, the 2023 figure is the continuation of a positive trend demonstrated since 2016 and reflects the strong partnership working contributing to this. 2.7 In 2018, No One Left Behind outlined the need for a better aligned and integrated employability support system. A Partnership Agreement between Local Authorities and Scottish Government supported the shared ambition to deliver transformation change in Scotland’s employability services. Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) were established with responsibility for integration and alignment of local services, ensuring no one was left behind.
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2.8 The North Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (LEP) includes representatives from the following organisations: • North Ayrshire Council: Employability Business Support Education Children, Families & Justice Connected Communities • DWP • Ayrshire College • Skills Development Scotland • Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, DYW Regional Lead, Ayrshire • TACT as a partner in the Third Sector Interface 2.9 Schools work with young people, families and various partners to support an initial positive destination. This includes an improved and focused partnership with SDS who have officers based within each secondary school to offer a range of holistic and targeted supports. In the latest published Insight figures, schools in North Ayrshire had recorded their highest ever initial positive destination figure of 96%. 2.10 Within each secondary school there is a now Developing Young Workforce (DYW) Principal Teacher. This post is enabled through partnership funding from Education and central government DYW grants. The DYW Principal Teacher works in close partnership with school based SDS officers and Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce who support employer engagement and a refreshed Work Experience programme. 2.11 North Ayrshire Schools benefit from a strong School-College partnership with Ayrshire College. This involves a blend of school-based courses to support attainment for young people and also support transition to full-time FE courses. 2.12 Through the LEP and the Employability Service, there are a range of interventions to engage and prepare young people for the world of work. Young people can be supported with a dedicated Keyworker throughout their journey towards and into employment. These interventions include Ambition Agreements, Modern Apprenticeships, sector specific programmes, work experience and accredited vocational qualifications all delivered as part of Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire. The youth programme is also extended to school leavers providing support 6 months in advance of their school leaving date. 2.13 Using the Data Hub, the employability service has identified unknown and unemployed young people and commission an engagement programme delivered by Barnardos to visit young people in their homes and support them to engage in the range of services delivered across North Ayrshire.
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3. Proposals 3.1 It is proposed that Cabinet: a) Notes the content of the report, including the improvement in the APM for North Ayrshire for 2023; and b) Notes the improved collaboration to support this improvement. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None. Human Resources 4.2 None. Legal 4.3 None. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 Targeted and specific interventions have been designed to ensure that all North Ayrshire school leavers benefit from support to ensure that they are participating in education, employment or volunteering. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None. Key Priorities 4.6 This report aligns with the Council Plan 2023-28 strategic aim to “transition to a wellbeing economy, delivering prosperity, wellbeing and resilience for local people” and more specifically “improving educational attainment and achievement and closing the attainment gap” activities. Community Wealth Building 4.7 North Ayrshire’s work in relation to positive destinations supports North Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building aspirations through providing high quality skilled workers who can contribute to the local economy. In addition, initiatives which contribute to this work provide a wealth of opportunities for local businesses and people seeking employment in North Ayrshire.
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5. Consultation 5.1 Improved collaboration with partners is illustrated in the report. Ongoing consultation takes place with young people to ensure the support being provided meets or exceeds their needs. Audrey Sutton Executive Director (Communities and Education) For further information please contact Kevin Herron, Senior Manager, on 01294 324450. Background Papers 0
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APPENDIX 1a North Ayrshire Annual Participation Measure 2023
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APPENDIX 1b
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APPENDIX 2 Increase in Participation Measure by Local Authority 22-23
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APPENDIX 3 North Ayrshire Annual Participation Measure 2016-2023