The lost generation: Fears Blackpool teens may fall off social care radar as resort has highest rate for not in school or work

A “lost generation” of teenagers could slip out of sight following the coronavirus lockdown and months of school and college closures, according to Anne Longfield.

The children’s commissioner’s analysis, which looks at data of teenagers aged 13 to 17 in England who were on the radar of schools and children’s social care, found Blackpool had the highest rate in the country of teens not in education, employment or training (NEET) and the most at risk of dropping off the radar.

It concludes 733 in the resort teens showed signs of “falling through the gaps” and 358 16 to 17-year-olds were classed as NEET at the end of 2017.

The report calls on councils to urgently work with schools, police and youth workers to focus resources on teenagers “at risk of becoming invisible to services, or who have gone missing under lockdown”.

Ms Longfield said: “This summer I am particularly worried that teenagers who have finished year 11, who have seen their apprenticeship collapse, or have simply lost their way through lockdown will simply fall off the radar. Teenagers in colleges have so far been left out of catch-up funding.

“Many of these children, and I fear many thousands of other vulnerable teenagers, have had very little structure to their lives over the last six months.

“School was often a stretch for them, and I am concerned we are never going to get some of them back into education. If we do not act now, this could result in a lost generation of teens – dropping out of school, going under the radar, getting into trouble, and at risk of being groomed by gangs and criminals.”

Judith Blake, chairman of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said: “Children’s social care referrals have fallen by more than half in some areas – from an average of almost 1,800 per day – which raises concerns that not all young people are getting the support they need.

“Councils are working with their partners and communities to try to identify children who may be at risk.

“As this report reinforces, it is vital that councils have the funding they need to support children, young people and families as part of the national recovery

“The impact of the pandemic on some children will be far-reaching, and it will be essential that the right services are there to support them.”