Children on Free School Meals less likely to be in sustained employment

The Department for Education has published analysis which looks at how children on Free School Meals (FSM) and children with Special Educational Needs go on to fare in the job market.

It found that children eligible for Free School Meals are 23 per cent less likely to be in sustained employment at the age of 27, compared to their peers.

What’s more, children identified with special educational needs are 25 per cent less likely to be in sustained employment at 27.

Individuals eligible for FSM were 3.0 times more likely to be on out-of work benefits at age 27 than their peers who were not eligible for FSM, while SEN individuals were 3.7 times more likely to be on out-of-work benefits at age 27 than their peers.

Setting out his vision for boosting social mobility, Damian Hinds has unveiled a range of measures at the Resolution Foundation.

To enable those from disadvantaged backgrounds can access quality pre-school education, Hinds announced a capital bidding round of £30 million to invite leading schools to come forward with projects to create new high-quality nursery places, demonstrating innovative approaches to closing the gap for disadvantaged children.

Hinds also said the DfE will be investing £20 million to train and develop early years professionals, focusing in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.

To help children’s early language and literacy, Hinds also said that he is inviting businesses, broadcasters and a broad range of other organisations to be part of a coalition that explores innovative ways to boost early language development and reading in the home.