ThinkForward’s social impact bond recognised in Prime Minister’s speech

In the Prime Minister’s recent speech ‘My vision for a Smarter State’, the success of ThinkForward’s social impact bond was highlighted as an example of the positive results that can be achieved via this social investment model.

Noting the success of ThinkForward’s pilot across five schools in Tower Hamlets, which saw a NEET rate reduction of 88% among 320 young people identified as being most at risk, he said:

“Another big step forwards has been our pioneering use of interventions like Social Impact Bonds, which pay private and voluntary sector organisations with some of the savings they deliver to the taxpayer. Take, for example, the Social Impact Bond supporting ThinkForward – a charity that places highly qualified ‘super coaches’ in schools where they identify and work with young people most at risk of not getting into work. In Tower Hamlets, this has reduced the NEET rate amongst some of the most at risk pupils by 88%, saving over £40,000 per pupil.”

Building on the success of ThinkForward’s SIB, he went on to infer that the investment model could be taken to scale nationally and applied to other areas in need of intervention.

Government promise to cut youth unemployment by 15 percent must include most disengaged

ThinkForward welcomes the government’s commitment to cut youth unemployment by 15 percent in the next 10 years. As part of this strategy particular attention must be paid to supporting young people who are most disengaged.

We also welcome the news that employment minister, Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, will sign a pledge at the G20 meeting in Turkey as part of international efforts to cut youth unemployment globally.

As a youth charity focused on supporting young people at high risk of becoming NEET, we have developed a model based on early intervention, where super coaches provide five years of intensive support to increase a young person’s chances of making a successful transition from education into employment.

At age 18 young people leave ThinkForward’s programme equipped with competencies identified by employers as being essential for workplace success. This is achieved through our work readiness programme – a key component of our support package, delivered in stages through our Coaches based in schools and the community. Through this approach our young people enter the workplace with the capabilities that most employers need.

Due to our focus on those at highest risk of becoming NEET, we believe that it is vital to engage those that are ‘most disengaged’. ThinkForward builds links with employers and community organisations, through its dedicated business engagement arm – WorkForward. Young people on the programme are exposed to opportunities in the form of jobs, apprenticeships and out of school activities. This goes a long way in helping them develop the skills and experiences they need to secure employment in the long term or go on to higher education.

While we recognise that careers advice for non-graduates in this country is lacking, even if this gap is filled, we do not believe that careers advice on its own is sufficient to help these young people succeed. ThinkForward’s approach of providing five years of intensive coaching to young people from age 13, offers a long term and sustainable solution, since as well as improving educational attainment which is the foundation for success, our coaches support the young person across all aspects of their lives, broaden their horizons and look out for their emotional well-being.

It is all these ingredients combined which allow them to unlock their potential and become economically active and well-rounded citizens of society.

With the right support at-risk young people overcome the odds to achieve five GCSEs at grades A*-C

This year, ThinkForward Progression Coaches supported 350 young people identified as being most disengaged, to prepare for their GCSEs. These young people were predicted to fail GCSE Maths and English at the start of the ThinkForward programme and just over 50% of them achieved five or more GCSEs at grade A*-C.

In the context of these initial predictions their achievements have defied the odds and many have overcome complex challenges in school, at home and in other areas of their lives to get to where they are today.

At a GCSE celebration event on the afternoon of results, young people from the programme talked about how they felt and their plans for the future.

Ciaran, 16 from Bethnal Green Academy achieved seven A*s and four As and will go on to sixth form to study A’levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Drama. He aims to study natural sciences at Cambridge University and to become a lecturer or professor.

He said: “ThinkForward has provided me with lots of different work experiences, which has helped me learn more about the workplace and what people there are like. Having my Coach behind me, encouraging me to do as many activities as possible before submitting my university application, has made a big difference.”

Feli-Fernandes, 16, from Islington Arts and Media School, achieved 9 GCSEs grades A*- C, including an A* in Spanish, A in English and B for Maths. He will go on to study A’levels and pursue a career in Finance.

He said: “ThinkForward has helped to keep me on track. My coach has been amazing in keeping me grounded and on the straight road, making me realise that we should not take opportunities for granted and that when they arise we should grab them with both hands.”

Laura, 16, from Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School was pleasantly surprised to have achieved five Bs and a C for her GCSEs. Although she has a place at college she has decided to take on an apprenticeship, where she will have the chance to gain qualifications in customer service and business administration.

She said: “ThinkForward has helped me so much, I honestly don’t know where I would be without it. Since I started on the programme I’ve had lots of opportunities to do different things, which has helped to build my character and develop and grow as a person. My Coach encouraged me to do what I really want to do.”

These are just three out of 175 young people on ThinkForward’s programme who attained or surpassed the government benchmark. We warmly congratulate them on their success, but it is critical that attention is also turned to the other 50% who did not achieve the grades. They are among the 186,000 young people nationally who did not attain the desired results.

Since good attainment at age 16 provides opportunities for advanced study and longer term success in the labour market, it is essential that these young people are given extra support to realise their potential and become economically active members of society.

ThinkForward provides five years of intensive 1-2-1 support to a young person from age 13 and will continue to support these young people until age 19, so that they too gain the chance to succeed.