Jamie was referred to Learning Links by his Motiv8 Key Worker. With a history of truancy and exclusion, emotional and mental health issues leading to poor perception of himself and others, and a history of offending behaviour, the referral party identified Jamie as at risk of becoming NEET.

Jamie had not been in attendance at school for approximately 1 year prior to his referral to Learning Links. He needed help with his Literacy, Numeracy, interpersonal skills, positive decision formulation and goal setting skills.

Jamie was at first very difficult to engage with and evidenced very low levels of trust and confidence. He was reluctant to engage in any level of discussion about behaviour, choices or education and was unwilling to maintain eye contact. Over a course of several 1-to-1 weekly mentoring sessions Jamie began to form a more trusting and productive relationship with his key worker.

In light of a previously expressed interest in bricklaying as a potential career option, an online CSCS training course on workplace safety was used to gauge Jamie’s literacy level and to positively engage him in a learning activity with a definable outcome – a future Health & Safety certificate.

As a result of his improved attitude and commitment, and after an appropriate period of time had elapsed, it was recommended to Jamie that he begin to work on strengthening his basic literacy and maths skills in a very focused and supportive setting. With agreement from THS Fratton and upon recommendation from Learning Links, Jamie was accepted into the School Achievement Programme. Jamie made significant progress in SAP through summer 2009.

Since starting to work with Learning Links, Jamie says he now understands the importance of gaining basic skills, recognising the commitment required to do so, and consistently applying himself. He has re-engaged in a class-room setting and improved both his confidence and his inter-personal skills. Jamie has started applying positive choices in his daily behaviour, and curbing and remedying his history of offending behaviour.

Jamie has been able to increase his inter-personal skills significantly since engaged with Learning Links. There has been a striking improvement in both his commitment and levels of attainment since he began working collaboratively with SAP and Learning Links. His positive attitude has been recognised by his SAP tutor and his Learning Links Mentor and as a result he has been invited to participate in a series of ‘reward’ engagement activities such as Scuba Diving and Kite-Surfing. Although he has not yet agreed to try these activities, he has, more importantly, committed to increasing his autumn 2009 timetable with SAP and to continue 1-to-1 work with his Learning Links mentor.

At 15, Jamie has begun to take positive control of his life and of his choices. Based on Jamie’s positive uptake of the help Learning Links offered him, and evidence of his commitment to effecting positive changes in his life, Portsmouth city Council has decided to decline the Police’s petition to enforce an ASBO. They have deemed that the interests of the Portsea community are better served by encouraging Jamie to continue his good work rather than penalising him for past behaviour.

With continued support there is every reason to believe that Jamie will obtain his basic skills qualifications and sidestep falling into the category of NEET at age 16. Although there is still work to do for both Learning Links and Jamie, who will continue to require their support through age 16, his involvement, his positive choices and hard work are recognised and provide a foundation for the work to follow. Jamie’s mentor says; “It has been really rewarding to watch Jamie overcome his early reluctance to accept assistance in his life and start to come into his own in such a positive fashion.”