County sees rise in teens not in work or education

Dorset Council was told that emotional wellbeing remained "a consistent challenge" for Neets

The number of Dorset 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets) has increased by 25% in a year.

The proportion of young people in school years 12 and 13 classified as Neets has also risen from 3% to over 4%. There are now 330 in total across the Dorset Council area, a council committee was told on Wednesday.

Councillors heard the rise may be linked to the long-term impact of Covid, which disrupted education for many who were in Year 7 at the time.

To support school leavers, the council plans to run a GCSE results helpline offering advice on future options.

Simon Fraiz-Brown, the authority's head of commissioning for family health, said many Neets needed extra support in core subjects and emotional wellbeing remained a major barrier.

He said specialist training was being provided to staff working with them.