Define delivered Behavioural Insight for Liverpool City Council as part of a wider work commissioned to deliver the area’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme.

Our role was to understand as much as possible about Liverpool’s NEET young people population from their perspective and lived experience. Using mixed methods we gathered the stories and opinions of young people in the widest range of circumstances, to understand more about what had contributed to their current status, what is preventing engagement, participation and success with education, training and employment now and what they hope for and need for change.

Those working with NEET young people through support organisations and Liverpool City’s services and parents provided important complementary voices. Professionals told us about their experiences across this population and provided insight on impacts and issues within the education, training and employment systems and provision.

Our findings highlighted the extent and diversity of needs within this audience, who are impacted by many environmental factors, from lockdowns to technology, economic and other local factors. Individuals were brought to life in animated pen portraits. Recommendations defined targeting considerations, provided short-term support ideas and highlighted key questions for further investigation around provision.

Photo by Warren Berchie on Unsplash