The 13-19 Team is a strategic team based in the centre of Swindon at 11 Theatre Square.

We work on behalf of all young people aged between 13 and 19 in Swindon. We work alongside many different professionals, services, and agencies and have a core team of ten people.

We plan, co-ordinate, implement, support and advise on work which supports all young people’s participation and progression in learning, and other activities which help personal and social development. There is also statutory guidance from the Government about the work to be done to make sure that young people are given the best chances in life, and we look to make sure that the Council responds in a way that meets both its legal duties and the needs of young people.

The Team

Sally Burnett
Integrated Youth Support Strategy Manager
The aim of this role is to work with partners to develop and implement strategies to increase participation and progression in learning in the 13-19 phase.  This includes leading on the development and implementation of a 13-19 Strategy and a Transtion/Progression Strategy, preparatory work to ensure young people will participate in learning until they are 18 by 2015, and working with other team members on the 16-19 Commissioning preparations.  The role also involves working with Integrated Locality Teams to ensure Performance Frameworks are in place to meet the 13-19 priorities including the reduction of NEET.

Joyce Birnie
13 – 19 IAG Transitions Adviser
We know that young people who are encouraged and supported to choose the right learning options for them enjoy their learning more, tend to be more motivated learners, and are likely to be successful in achieving desired future goals. I work with schools, colleges and other partners to help them to deliver information, advice and guidance (IAG) activities that support young people aged 13 to 19 to make positive plans for the future. This includes supporting partners to ask young people for their ideas on what works best and how information, advice and guidance could be made even better.

Umarah Choudhary
Positive Activities and Volunteering Co-ordinator
Evidence suggests that how young people spend their leisure time really matters. Involvement in positive leisure time activities throughout the teenage years helps to build young peoples self esteem and confidence, improves their social, emotional and communication skills, and helps them avoid taking risks, such as experimenting with drugs or being involved in anti-social behaviour or crime. My role is to work with a variety of partners, including the integrated youth support services, schools, leisure, arts and culture, and the youth forum, to deliver positive activities for young people aged 13-19 which are appropriate and accessible. I also support the partners in making sure that young people have the opportunity to influence services and overcome any barriers they may encounter in accessing positive activities.

James Fortune
NEET Strategy Co-ordinator
The term ‘NEET’ refers to young people aged between 16 and 19 who are not in education, employment or training. The National NEET Strategy is part of a wider framework to increase achievement, participation and progression in learning during the 13-19 phase. My role is the development and implementation of the Swindon NEET strategy and action plan. This includes intervention and prevention measures and collaborative working with key partners in Swindon including schools, colleges, and training providers. The overall aim is to reduce the number of young people who are NEET, raise participation, narrow the gap between disadvantaged young people and their peers, and increase the social mobility of young people in the 16-19 age group.  

Nicola Gregson & Chris Walton
14 – 19 Co-ordinators
The 14-19 Reforms establish 5 main pathways for young people under 19. These are:

• GCSEs and A levels
• The Diploma
• Apprenticeships
• Employment with Accredited Training
• The Foundation Learning Tier

We are responsible for working with all providers to ensure that the 14-19 curriculum entitlement will be in place for 2013.  Specifically our role is to work with partners to develop and manage partnership courses, including the Diplomas, The Foundation Learning Tier, Apprenticeships and the Increased Flexibility Programme.

Michelle Moore
Key Stage 4 Engagement Programme Co-ordinator
My role is to support students at Key Stage 4 who are following work-related learning programs by sourcing and developing a range of opportunities for learners within the Swindon Partnership .

Neil Reaich
Employer Engagement Project Manager
I support work related learning opportunities for young people in Swindon. I work with employers, schools and other partners. I oversee the contract to provide administration for work placements; this includes health and safety checks. I also work with employers and schools on a range of interesting projects that bring the real world into learning. Please contact me if you feel you can make a positive contribution so that more young people in Swindon are the future employees of choice.

Carol Simmons
Team Administrator
I provide administrative support for the 13-19 Team, including finance processing and monitoring, meeting organisation and support, Diploma support, and any other tasks as appropriate, such as helping with the annual conference. I also provide mentor support to any Young Apprentices who have placements within the office.

Kate Steel
Young People’s Opportunities Promotions Adviser
I work on information and promotions projects that aim to help young people reach their potential both in their education and personal time. This can be really varied, ranging from working on a website project to promote positive activities to finding ways to help young people and their parents/carers to understand all their learning options at age 14. I am also partly responsible for making sure the Council meets its legal duties to provide information to young people, and for supporting young people in having an influence on the Council.