Activity Agreements are aimed at young people who are disengaging or have disengaged from formal learning or training. Young people are interviewed about their individual learner journeys and how they can be supported into further learning, training or employment through the activity agreement programme.

How to use this exemplar

The East Ayrshire approach looks to involve progression partners from the beginning of each programme block. This approach enables partners to develop relationships with the young people who have struggled with formal learning and training. This can be built upon when they progress from the Assisted Agreements programme (AA) into employability fund training, further education or employment. It could be replicated elsewhere and exemplifies the importance of effective partnership working to improve outcomes for young people at risk of disengagement.

The trusted professional at the centre of the Activity Agreement programme can often build on prior knowledge of the young people through relationships developed through early intervention in schools through the East Ayrshire FPI (Flexible Pathways Initiative); this helps to ensure that Activity Agreement provision can be tailored to the needs of each learner; if there are participants who have no previous relationship with the trusted professional, then the structure of the programme itself means time is available to build such relationships within an inclusive environment and among supportive peers.

The very high percentage of leavers from the programme progressing into positive destinations is evidence that the work with partners to build relationships is effective; this in turn supports sustainability in more formal training or learning environments as the progression is always agreed with the young person as the most appropriate one for them at the most appropriate time.

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What was done?

Young people are offered a tailored package of activity which meets their needs with the aim of re-engaging them and progressing them onto more formal learning and training or employment. Crucial to the success of the programme is the involvement of a range of partners including SDS and local employers complemented by the role of the ‘trusted professional’ as both mentor and adviser to the young people.

Why was it done?

There are a number of young people leaving school at risk of not achieving a positive destination. Through regular contact with school 16+ leads and guidance staff, young people struggling with formal learning and in danger of disengaging from the curriculum completely are identified as possible candidates for Activity Agreements. The activity agreement intervention can be crucial in re-engaging them, connecting them with training providers, further learning or employers with a view to future progression.

What was the impact?

For many young people, the programme has been their first steps to eventual employment building their confidence and a range of other key skills such as teamwork and leadership. In 2017-18 90% of participants in East Ayrshire, leaving the Activity Agreement programme, moved on to a subsequent positive destination.

Videos

Activity Agreements - East Ayrshire Council

College perspective

Partner perspective

Downloads

PDF file: The Activity Agreement Model (309 KB)