Fiducia TogetherNEET
Also called Not in education, employment or training
A young person aged 16 to 24 who is not in education, employment or training. Councils must track and help.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
NEET describes a 16 to 24 year old who is not in education, employment or training.
Local authorities have a duty to encourage, enable and assist young people to participate, and to identify those who are NEET or whose activity is not known.
Where it applies
Young people post-16. The duty on councils covers 16 and 17 year olds particularly, and those with an EHCP up to 25.
How it works
Councils track destinations after year 11 and are measured on how many young people they cannot account for.
Being NEET at 16 to 18 is one of the strongest predictors of poor outcomes later, which is why the tracking exists.
What you can ask for
Ask the council's participation team for help rather than waiting to be contacted. They have a duty and are often not aware a young person has dropped out.
For a young person with an EHCP who has left provision, ask whether the plan should be maintained rather than ceased — ceasing it removes the entitlement that could get them back in.
Where to get help
The council's 16-19 participation or Connexions-style service, the National Careers Service, and SENDIASS.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.