Education, employment and training support
This page explains:
- who can get support
- what help is available
- who to contact in Enfield
Who can get support
Support is available for young people aged 16 to 25 who are:
- not in education, employment or training (NEET)
- at risk of becoming NEET
- care leavers (up to age 25)
- young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or an education, health and care plan (EHCP)
- struggling with confidence, mental health or motivation
- unsure about their next steps after school or college
- looking for work, training or apprenticeships
Parents, carers, foster carers, social workers and professionals can refer a young person. Young people can also refer themselves.
How this page can help
You can use this page to:
- find education and training opportunities
- explore apprenticeships and work‑based learning
- get employment and careers support
- access support for care leavers, young people with SEND and other vulnerable groups
- find creative, mentoring and wellbeing services
Mental health and wellbeing
Many young people experience anxiety, trauma or low confidence.
Support with emotional wellbeing can help young people take part in education, training or work.
Early, trauma‑informed support can make a real difference.
For parents and carers
Your young person does not need to have everything 'figured out'.
Support is available to help them take small, realistic steps towards education, training or work.
Careers guidance
Enfield Careers Service
This is the first point of contact for most young people.
What they do
The service can:
- help young people choose education, training or work
- provide careers advice and planning
- support young people into college, apprenticeships or training
- support young people with an EHCP up to age 25
Who can refer
Referrals can be made by:
- the young person (self-referral)
- a parent or carer
- a social worker or personal adviser
- school or college staff
Education and training
You should refer a young person if they:
- want to return to learning
- need English, maths or basic skills qualifications
- would benefit from smaller, supportive learning environments
- need vocational or practical courses
Local and London providers
These providers offer a range of education and training opportunities:
- Big Creative Education – Digital marketing, music business
- First Rung – Vocational courses and mentoring
- Capital City College Group – Full‑time college courses, ESOL, construction trades, childcare
- EET Group – CSCS, accredited qualifications, employability support
- HES (Holistic Education and Sport) – Sport‑based re‑engagement
How to refer
Referrals usually start with Enfield Careers Service. In some cases. you can refer directly to a provider.
Apprenticeships and work-based learning
This option may suit a young person who:
- wants to earn while they learn
- is ready for a work routine
- has, or is working towards, GCSE English and maths at grade 4
Some programmes can support young people who do not yet have GCSEs.
Support available
- Catch22 – apprenticeships and employability support
- Springboard – careers in hospitality
- Care Leaver Covenant – extra support for care leavers starting apprenticeships
- GOV.UK – Find an apprenticeship
Employment and NEET support
Refer a young person if they:
- have been NEET for several months
- need help building confidence or motivation
- need support with CVs, interviews or job searching
- have mental health or wellbeing needs linked to work
Local and specialist support
- Drive Forward Foundation – one-to-one employment support for care leavers
- Connect to Work – job search and career planning for people aged 18 and over, plus access to DWP information
- Thrive into Work – support with mental health and employment
- National Careers Service – help with CVs, courses and careers advice
Care leavers: which support to use
Care‑experienced young people aged 16 to 25 can get extra support.
Refer to:
- Personal Adviser (PA) – main point of contact
- Drive Forward Foundation – specialist employment support
- Care Leaver Covenant – jobs, apprenticeships and training
- Become charity – education support and a helpline
For more information, visit GOV.UK – Find support for care leavers.
SEND and additional needs
Refer a young person if they:
- have an education health and care plan (EHCP)
- have learning difficulties or disabilities
- need extra help to prepare for work
Support available
- Enfield Careers Service – support up to age 25 for young people with an EHCP
- Equals – supported employment for people with learning disabilities
- Mencap Training Academy – supported internships
Creative routes (optional pathways)
This option may suit young people who are disengaged from traditional education.
Support can include:
- music, drama and digital skills
- activities to build confidence and teamwork
- steps into training or work
Examples:
- The Big House – for care leavers
- Rising Tide – music programmes
- Roundhouse – creative arts
When extra support is needed
Refer urgently if a young person is:
- at risk of exploitation or criminal involvement
- experiencing housing insecurity
- facing serious mental health challenges
Specialist support
- St Giles Trust – support for young people at risk of exploitation or gang involvement
- Switchback – support for young men leaving the justice system
- Become and Coram Voice – advocacy and mentoring services
Useful national websites
Quick access to trusted information:
- Find an apprenticeship
- Careers inspiration:
- Higher education and university:
- Volunteering:
Not sure where to refer?
Start with the Enfield Careers Service.
They will:
- assess the young person’s needs
- refer them to the right service
- work with social care, SEND teams and training providers
Understanding qualification levels
Qualifications range from entry level to level 8.
The higher the level, the more advanced the learning.
You can see the level of a qualification using the links below:
- Entry level – Good first step if you’re not ready for GCSEs
- Level 1 – Improves skills in English, maths and prepares for work, college or training
- Level 2 – Helps you prepare for A-levels, apprenticeships or skilled jobs
- Level 3 – Gets you ready for skilled jobs, higher apprenticeships or university
- Level 4 – A first step into higher education or specialist training
- Level 5 – Builds stronger skills and can lead to higher level jobs or a degree
- Level 6 – Undergraduate degree level
- Level 7 – Postgraduate study, such as a master’s degree or PhD
- Level 8 – Doctorate level – the highest academic level
Entry level
Good first step if you’re not ready for GCSEs:
- Entry level awards
- Entry level certificate
- Entry level diploma
- Skills for life
- Entry level essential skills
- Entry level functional skills
- ESOL
Level 1
Improves skills in English, maths and prepares for work, college or training:
- GCSE grades 3, 2 and 1
- NVQ level 1
- Music grades 1, 2 AND 3
- Level 1 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Level 1 functional or essential skills
- Level 1 ESOL
Level 2
Helps you prepare for A-levels, apprenticeships or skilled jobs:
- GCSE grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 OR 4
- Level 2 intermediate apprenticeship
- NVQ level 2
- Music grades 4 and 5
- Level 2 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Level 2 functional or essential skills
- Level 2 ESOL
Level 3
Gets you ready for skilled jobs, higher apprenticeships or university:
- A levels (A, B, C, D or E)
- AS level
- International baccalaureate diploma
- T-levels
- Level 3 advanced apprenticeship
- NVQ level 3
- Music grades 6, 7 and 8
- Level 3 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Access to HE diploma
- Level 3 ESOL
Level 4
A first step into higher education or specialist training:
- Higher apprenticeship
- NVQ level 4
- Foundation certificate
- Level 4 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Certificate of higher education
- Higher national certificate
Level 5
Builds stronger skills and can lead to higher level jobs or a degree:
- Higher apprenticeship
- NVQ level 5
- Foundation degree
- Level 5 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Diploma of higher education
- Higher national diploma
Level 6
Undergraduate degree level:
- Degree apprenticeship
- NVQ level 6
- Graduate certificate
- Level 6 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Graduate certificate
- Bachelor’s degree (BA)
Level 7
Postgraduate study:
- Master’s degree (MA/MSC)
- NVQ level 7
- Post graduate certificate of education (PGCE)
- Post graduate certificate/diploma
- Level 7 awards, diplomas and certificates
- Integrated master’s degree (MEng)
Level 8
Doctorate level – the highest academic level:
- Level 8 awards, diplomas and certificate
- Doctorate/ PhD