1.4a. What impact does access to prison‑based vocational education have on young people’s post‑release outcomes, such as gaining skilled employment and successfully reintegrating into society?
Background
Post-16 provision is pivotal in supporting young people to progress into meaningful education, employment or training. It also provides critical upskilling and re-skilling opportunities to adults to support them into better employment. Recent qualification reforms, including changes to funding and the introduction of new pathways such as V Levels and foundation apprenticeships, are reshaping the options available.
These developments raise important questions about accessibility and equity, particularly for learners at risk of becoming NEET and those with additional needs. Ofsted is interested in understanding how these changes influence participation, progression and outcomes. We also want to understand what effective practice to prevent learners from becoming NEET looks like across diverse learner groups.
Next steps
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Related UKRI funded projects
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HIVE-PED: Higher Vocational Education and Pedagogy in England
The HIVE-PED Research Seminar Series: Higher Vocational Education and Pedagogy in England The proposed HIVE-PED research seminars series will map out the research territory, report research findings, facilitate debate,...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Greenwich
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on higher vocational education and pedagogy in England, not specifically on prison-based vocational education for young people's post-release outcomes.
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Opportunity, equality and agency in England's new VET landscape: a longitudinal study of post-16 transitions
This 5-year study will investigate how England's vocational education and training (VET) system can better support the school-to-work transitions of the 50% of young people who do not go to university. Routes into furthe...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: King's College London
Why might this be relevant?
Fully relevant as it specifically addresses the impact of vocational education on young people's transitions to work and training, with a focus on equality and agency.
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Prison History for New Learners Inside and Outside the Prison
Higher education is transformative for prisoners. Research conducted by the Ministry of Justice has shown that prisoners funded by Prisoners' Education Trust (PET) to participate in higher education are, a year after rel...
Funded by: AHRC
Lead research organisation: The Open University
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on prison education history and new models of cooperation, but not directly on the impact of prison-based vocational education on post-release outcomes.