Raising of the Participation Age (RPA)

From summer 2013, young people will be required to continue in education or training until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17. From 2015, they will be required to continue until their 18th birthday.

Dorset County Council has developed an Increasing Participation Strategy to meet these changes to legislation.

Young People could choose:

• Full-time education (eg school or college)
• Apprenticeship
• Employment with part-time education or training
• Volunteering with part-time education or training

Young People have a duty to participate.

DfE information on Raising Age of Participation for parents (opens in a new window)

Schools (pre-16)

Schools should raise awareness of RPA amongst their pupils, and in particular amongst those who are most likely to leave education at 16.

DfE information on raising participation age pre-16 providers (opens in a new window)

Schools / Training providers (post-16)

Schools and training providers have two duties to:

• Promote good attendance of 16 and 17 year olds
• Inform local authority support services if a young person (aged 16 or 17) has dropped out of learning. This is so the young person can be contacted swiftly and offered support to help them re-engage.

Raising the participation age DfE information for post 16 providers (opens in a new window)

Employers

As an employer of apprentices - Apprenticeships count as a valid route in themselves for young people to continue their education.

As an employer of 16 and 17 year olds who are not Apprentices - There will be no new legal duties on you, but your young employees will be required to take some part-time training alongside their work."

Raising the participation age DfE information for Employers (opens in a new window)

DfE Q&A raising age of participation (opens in a new window)

Links for further information:

Department for Education - Raising Participation Age (opens in a new window)

Looking Ahead (opens in a new window) - Courses in Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole

National Apprenticeship Service (opens in a new window)  

Directgov - Young People - Work & Careers (opens in a new window)

Directgov - Education and Learning - 14 to19 (opens in a new window)  - Choices at 16: What's right for you?

National Careers Service (opens in a new window)  makes it easy for both adults and young people to access information and advice about education, training and work. Young people and parents can speak to an appropriately qualified adviser by contacting the helpline which is available from 8.00am to 10pm, seven days a week on 0800 100 900, or for text messages on 07766 413 219.

Choices at 14, 16 and 18 on Career Pilot (opens in a new window) . Information Advice and Guidance for young people in the SW. Explore different job sectors and how you can study and work at the same time.

Advice for young people on the funding available from the 16-19 Bursary (opens in a new window) .

Find out more about Volunteering Opportunities available to 16-18 year olds in Dorset from Dorset Youth Association - Volunteering (opens in a new window) .