No Young Person Left Behind

Nearly 1 million young people in the UK, around one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds, are not in education, employment or training (NEET) (ONS, 2026). Evidence shows that spending time outside work, education, or training can have lasting consequences, including poorer health, lower earnings, and increased risk of unemployment later in life (UCL, 2026). 

While many young people successfully move from school into further education and employment, many others will meet significant barriers that make accessing opportunities more difficult. These barriers can include poor health, special educational needs, and disabilities (SEND), care experience, poverty and housing instability.

Drawing on research with 1,000 young people, discussions with Barnardo's frontline colleagues, and interviews with employers, this report explores the obstacles young people face when transitioning from education to employment. It also identifies the support needed to help them access opportunities and achieve their goals.

We are calling on the government to ensure support is available for all children and young people, including those facing the greatest challenges to participation. This requires targeted, joined-up approaches that address barriers early, provide tailored interventions, and prevent any children and young people from being left behind.

The following recommendations set out the key actions needed to achieve this. Together, these follow a young person’s journey from school, through post-16 participation, and into employment.

• Ensure every child can access high-quality careers support: The government should strengthen careers provision, ensuring all children can access high-quality guidance and work experience, with additional support for those facing the greatest barriers.
• No child should fall through the cracks at 16: The government should review and strengthen the post-16 participation framework established by the Education and Skills Act 2008, to ensure clear responsibilities for identifying and supporting young people at risk of disengaging from education or training, backed by dedicated funding for transition, participation and re-engagement support.
• Reduce financial barriers to participation: The government should tackle financial barriers to education, training and employment by strengthening the 16-19 Bursary Fund and introducing a Youth Opportunity Grant for essential costs.
• Invest in programmes that both address barriers and unlock employment: The government should ensure all young people struggling to access or sustain employment can access tailored, employment-focused support, regardless of benefit status. This should address practical barriers, build confidence and skills, and help young people move into sustainable work. Any changes to benefits for young people must not increase poverty or harm health, as both can negatively affect employment opportunities and long-term life chances.