For some of the most disengaged young people in this country PEF’s inspirational charities, operating at the sharp end of the NEET (not in education, employment or training) problem, represent their last chance, literally their lifeline back into mainstream society. Time and time again young people from Community Links, Fairbridge, Tomorrow’s People and Vital Regeneration tell me that if it wasn’t for these organizations, they would be on the streets, on drugs, or shockingly, even dead. Such heroic help is a cornerstone of PEF’s ‘investment’ portfolio but the need for these charities prompts the question: could something have been done for these young people earlier in their lives? Was there a missed ‘first chance’? Early intervention is important, which is why we work to improve children’s reading, numeracy and mental health through Every Child Counts, Voluntary Reading Help, The Place2Be and SHS. But in this instance I’d like to talk about an age group less in the limelight: 14 to 16 year olds, still in the system – just. What effective interventions could be put in place before these young people walk out of the school gate, disappear into the ether and, worn down by nothing but knockbacks, become ever harder to reach? We recently visited one of our charities in Germany, Hamburger Hauptschulmodell (HHM), to see what lessons we could learn in this critical area of the ‘school to work transition’. It was enlightening. HHM makes sure that young people are given the right skills, a sense of direction in what they want to do, exposure to the world of work and even a mentor to help them successfully navigate their journey to economic independence. Its impact can best be described by a recent participant who now has an apprenticeship thanks to the scheme. She says “My support worker was with me throughout the job application process, listening and giving advice. When I doubted myself she was always there, encouraging me not to give up.”

Had Vicky Harrison, whose tragic story has recently been in the press, received that sort of support early on, perhaps she wouldn’t have felt such a failure as to take her own life at the age of just 21 when she couldn’t get a job. PEF is currently reviewing the UK context with a view to finding a similar programme to HHM here. My vision is that every young person in this country should be leaving school with a life plan in their left hand and a mentor in their right. We need to make sure that we give school leavers not a first or a last chance, but the best possible chance to make a go of their lives. Best wishes Shaks

Shaks Ghosh, Chief Executive, Private Equity Foundation