Raising the participation age: a survey of local authorities' preparations for full participation in 2013/2015

Sarah Kitchen

Published on 28 June 2012

This report presents the findings of a survey of local authorities, examining preparations for Raising the Participation Age, conducted by NatCen Social Research on behalf of the Department for Education.

This report presents the findings of a survey of local authorities (LAs), examining preparations for Raising the Participation Age (RPA), conducted by NatCen Social Research on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE).

The age at which young people in England are required to continue in education or training is due to go up to the end of the academic year they turn 17 in 2013 and to their 18th birthday in 2015. Local authorities have a key role in preparing for RPA.

The survey excluded the 35 LAs who have been involved in the first 3 phases of the locally-led delivery projects for RPA. All other LAs in England with responsibility for education (117) were included. Ninety-two LAs (a response rate of 79%) took part in a survey about their preparations for RPA, during the period 2nd to 28th February 2012. They were given the option of completing the survey online or over the telephone.