Teen anxiety means fewer in work or study - report

Some young people are struggling with social interaction, according to the report

The number of teenagers not in work or education in Dorset is on the rise, partly due to poor emotional wellbeing or anxiety, councillors have been told.

Figures showed 4% of 16 and 17-year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in December - up from 3.1% in 2023.

A report to Dorset Council's People and Health Scrutiny Committee said more young people appeared to be struggling with social interaction.

It said, of 322 young people classed as NEET in December, 64 had since been supported back into employment, education or training.

The meeting on Tuesday was told the increase in NEETs followed a national trend and the county's highest number was in Weymouth and Portland.

The committee heard that difficulties for young people in rural areas were also compounded by a lack of public transport.

There were 100 young people classed as NEET in the Weymouth and Portland area

The report said: "The Education, Employment and Training Re-engagement Team increasingly find young people who are not in employment, education or training are struggling with social interaction, can be reluctant to engage face to face and some even find it difficult to have cameras on during online training.

"These young people have a range of needs, some of which are medical or diagnosed, whereas others are young people struggling with their emotional wellbeing."

The council's work has included drop-in sessions at schools, outreach work in the community and working in partnership with voluntary sector organisations.

Head of commissioning for family help Simon Fraiz-Brown, who compiled the report, said Dorset Council had also increased the number of targeted youth workers from eight to 22, funded by the government's Pathfinder Programme.