Pilot project helps reduce dropout rates and NEET risk among Cheshire young people
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Students in Crewe are being supported to stay in education, work or training after leaving school, thanks to a new pilot programme.
The programme, funded by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, is a collaborative initiative which has worked with 42 young people most at risk of dropping out during the transition from school to college.
With National Apprenticeship Week underway, this programme highlights how targeted support can help young people and open up future opportunities in education, apprenticeships, skills development and employment.
The initiative, facilitated by the Cheshire and Warrington Careers Hub in partnership with local authorities, schools, colleges, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), focuses on early intervention, data sharing, and easy access to wraparound support.
The pilot, which started in July and will run until the end of March 202,6 is already showing positive results for the young people involved and helping key partners to work together more effectively.
To date just over 90% of the students involved are still actively engaged in learning or have progressed into work. In addition, student attendance has improved significantly. The students involved were all persistently absent during their final year at school, yet are all now attending far more regularly.
The pilot is building on work that has been taking place over the last 18 months where local partners across Cheshire and Warrington have joined forces to tackle the challenge of young people leaving education early and becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
This has involved gaining a deeper understanding of the factors driving young people to disengage from education during secondary and further education.
The aim of the pilot is to focus on preventing dropout and reducing the number of young people who develop mental health and lack of confidence challenges as a result of dropping out.
In recent years, approximately 1,000 students in each secondary year group across Cheshire and Warrington have been identified as being at risk of becoming NEET at ages 16–17.
This risk becomes evident soon after young people leave compulsory education. Within three months of leaving school, around 260 school leavers aged 16 who are eligible for free school meals are NEET, highlighting the early challenges some young people face in securing and sustaining appropriate post-16 pathways.
The scale of the issue increases significantly during the post-16 phase, with around 800 young people aged 16–17 becoming NEET, largely due to learners leaving courses early and the limited range of provision available to support re‑engagement in education, training or employment.
By the following March, approximately 700 young people who left school the previous July were not in sustained education, training or employment.
Dave Sweeney, Associate Director of Sustainability and Partnerships for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“This pilot demonstrates the power of partnership in improving outcomes for young people who may often face multiple challenges.
“By working together across health, education, and employment services, we’ve been able to provide timely support and reduce the risk of disengagement by giving these young people the confidence and tools to succeed.”
Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Nick Mannion, said:
“Supporting our young people to thrive as they move from school into further education or employment is one of our key priorities.
“This pilot shows the real impact that early, joined-up intervention can have, helping students stay engaged, build confidence, and access the right opportunities at the right time.
“We are proud to be working with partners across Cheshire and Warrington to improve outcomes for those who need it most.”
Philip Cox, Chief Executive of Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, of which the Careers Hub is part, said:
“This pilot demonstrates the impact we can have on the lives of young people when partners openly share data, insight and expertise.
“By working collectively, we can identify needs earlier, respond faster, and ensure young people across Cheshire and Warrington receive the right support at the right time.”