The team will work closely with schools, colleges, Connexions and other key partners to ensure a clear supported progression plan is in place to support young people to make a smooth transition into education, employment or training once they reach the age of 16.
The new team members are Deanne Russell, EET Advisor for Young People with a Social Worker, and Marvis McKenzie and Sarah Poole, EET Advisors for Young People with Special Educational Needs (SEND). They join the existing EET Advisors for Children and Young People in Care and Care Leavers, Keith Mundy and Clare Bishop, and EET Co-ordinator Helen Woodvine.
Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "While some young people, like children in care and care leavers, already receive this sort of targeted support, we recognise that some other disadvantaged groups, such as young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), sometimes lack the extra help that they need.
"As a response, we are pleased to have been able to recruit 3 new Employment, Education and Training Advisors who will identify and help young people who are in need of this more bespoke support and coordination.
"Marvis and Sarah are supporting young people with SEND, and Deanne is focussing on young people who have a social worker.
"The team's work has a key role to play in supporting one of the key aims of our Council Plan, to ensure there are more local people in good jobs and training."
Work is already underway to support young people in Year 11 and their families, and the team, part of the Virtual School, will be supporting young people in Key Stage 5 with their transition to further education or employment in the near future.
The Employment, Education and Training Advisors are working as part of the council’s Supported Employment programme, to give people with a disability the skills and support they need to move into meaningful employment.
