The Office for National Statistics’ latest figures for young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) from October to December 2024 reveal that 987,000 young people aged 16-24 are classed as NEET – an increase of 110,000 compared to the same period in 2023. NEET numbers have increased by almost 4% since 2019, putting us on track to have 1 million young people NEET this year.
It is well established that time spent NEET can have lasting negative consequences on young people’s future earning potential, personal confidence and overall wellbeing. Every young person deserves the best possible chance to succeed in education, employment or training, but for some, barriers such as a lack of support, personal circumstances or disengagement from learning increase their risk of becoming NEET.
In 2023, we produced a report highlighting what isn’t working for young people in the current system. One of the key challenges identified was the inconsistent collection and sharing of data about young people – particularly those who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET. Our research repeatedly found gaps and inconsistencies in how data is captured and shared with the organisations best placed to intervene early and provide support.
We therefore welcomed the release of the Department for Education’s latest non-statutory guidance, designed to support local authorities, education providers, and partners in identifying and supporting young people at risk of becoming NEET before they disengage entirely.
What is RONI?
The Risk of NEET Indicators (RONI) tool is designed to help local authorities (LAs) identify young people who may be at risk of disengaging from education or training. By identifying these young people early, targeted interventions can be implemented to encourage their continued participation in education, employment or training.
The report outlines best-practices for using RONI effectively, some of these include:
- Early identification: Local authorities should analyse data from schools, social services and other sources to identify young people at risk as early as possible.
- Collaboration: Schools, post-16 education providers, youth services and local employers should work together to provide consistent support and pathways for young people at-risk of becoming NEET.
- Tailored interventions: Young people need individualised support – whether that’s mentoring, careers advice, access to opportunities or alternative pathway options.
- Tracking progress and outcomes: Monitoring at-risk young people helps measure the effectiveness of interventions and ensures young people receive ongoing support where needed.
The RONI guidance provides an opportunity for better collaboration between schools and local authorities to increase support for those who need it most. At Youth Employment UK, we will continue to work with policymakers, employers and education providers to highlight the systemic challenges young people face, advocate for evidence-based solutions and ensure young people’s voices shape the policies and practices designed to support them.
