The participation age is being raised in two stages, to 17 from 2013 and to 18 from 2015. The first cohort to benefit from these changes began Year 7 this September.

This is not about raising the school-leaving age — young people will not be required to stay in school and will be able to participate in a range of ways, through full-time education  and a range of work-based learning options including an apprenticeship, or part-time education/training if they are employed full-time.

The DCSF aims to ensure that:

• there is a suitable, worthwhile post-16 learning opportunity for every young person — including Diplomas, general qualifications, Apprenticeships, and accredited training as part of a job

• young people get the support they need to access these opportunities — including good quality information, advice and guidance; financial support; and support for young people facing additional barriers

• every 16 and 17-year-old participates — either in full time education, in an Apprenticeship, or part-time (about a day a week) if working or volunteering for 20 hours a week or more

A culture of high expectations of young people is crucial to this and other agendas — and raising aspirations of all young people will be particularly important, so that they are thinking about their futures and post-16 options as early as possible.

Everyone who works with children and young people has a role to play — to encourage young people to participate, achieve and progress. 

Careers England will continue to press for careers education and guidance to be a statutory right for all up to 19.

More information is available here.