Participation and Transition Service

Local authorities have a duty to encourage, enable and assist young people to participate in post-16 education or training. The Participation & Transition Service (PATs) is a free and friendly support service providing information, advice and guidance to young people aged 16 to 18 (and up to age 25 for those with an Education, Health & Care plan) who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), signposting to relevant services and/or education and training providers.

Our Duty

The Education and Skills Act 2008 legislation places a number of duties on local authorities.  Local authorities must collect and record information about young people in their area in order to identify those who are not participating and to target their resources on those who need the most support. This includes young people who are aged 16 to 18 - and up to age 25 for those with an Education, Health & Care plan (EHCP). 

• Local authorities must promote the effective participation in education and training to 16 and 17 year olds in their area with a view to ensuring that those persons fulfil the duty to participate in education or training.  This is called Raising the Participation Age (RPA).  For more information please see Raising the Participation Age.

• Local authorities must make arrangements – that is, maintain a tracking system - to identify 16 and 17 year olds who are not participating in education or training. Putting in place robust arrangements to identify young people who are not engaged in education or training (or who have left provision) enables local authorities to offer support as soon as possible. A key element of this is identifying the young people in their area who are covered by the duty to participate and encouraging them to find a suitable education or training place.

This means that we have a statutory duty to try to make contact with all 16 and 17 year olds in Doncaster, to identify any young people who are not participating in education or training.  We are required to report this information to Government on a regular basis.  The Government website can tell you more about the statutory duty of the Local Authority.

We have highly qualified advisers experienced in supporting young people to help make informed decisions, providing information and advice on current training and education opportunities - ensuring that young people are aware of all options and potential career paths, signposting to relevant services and/or education and training providers.  

What we provide

We provide help and support with:

• education and training opportunities
• looking for apprenticeships and study programmes
• child benefit information
• CV writing
• completing college and training applications
• interview preparation

Support

If you require help and support around post 16 options (including further education, apprenticeships & training, work experience and volunteering) please contact:

• Tel: 01302 862150
• Email: pats@doncaster.gov.uk
• Social Media: Facebook & Twitter/X
• Web: National Careers Service

The Council is committed to meeting its data protection obligations and handling your information securely. You should make sure you read and understand the How we use child and young persons information Privacy Notice, which sets out what you need to know about how Doncaster Council will use your information in the course of our work.

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