No One Left Behind (Official Statistics in Development)

Official Statistics in Development

Official statistics in development are official statistics that are undergoing development; they may be new or existing statistics, and will be tested with users, in line with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics. These were previously referred to as experimental statistics.

Users should be aware that official statistics in development may have a wider degree of uncertainty and require extra caution when interpreting results. We continue to work with data suppliers to improve the accuracy and quality of returns following the move to our new data template. We have implemented an enhanced process of data quality checks targeted at those areas requiring the most development. We will re-assess the official statistics in development label at the end of 2024. Please see the data quality section in the background information for more details.  

Introduction

No One Left Behind is a strategy for placing people at the centre of the design and delivery of employability services. Key features of this service to consider when reviewing these statistics are contained in Table 3 in the Background Information.

Since April 2019, a range of Scottish Government funding has been made available to Local Government partners as the scope of delivery under No One Left Behind expanded over time. This includes:

• funding for the initial phase of No One Left Behind (April 2019),
• the Parental Employability Support Fund (February 2020) and
• the Young Person’s Guarantee (November 2020).

Since February 2022, the statistics in this publication have included people supported by the totality of these funds. The funding aims to provide support for people of all ages, with a range of differing characteristics and circumstances, including parents, who need help on their journey towards work. Note that the statistics in this publication relate only to Scottish Government funded activity and do not report on the entirety of employability related activity in each Local Authority area.

Shared Measurement Framework

The first SMF publication was released in April 2022 and subsequently updated in December 2022 to reflect work undertaken with Local Authorities during the summer of 2022 to agree and finalise the new data template to be used for collection of No One Left Behind employability statistics.

The initial data recommendations built on existing data collection practice and activity in place between Local and Scottish Government, formalising key data items collected around the ‘progression’ theme. The new data collection template is further aligned with the ‘reach’ and ‘progression’ themes of the SMF and the data published in this report will increasingly reflect this in the future.

The SMF publication is not a final product and more work is required to develop certain areas and themes. They will be particularly important to help us understand the journeys and achievements of those who are furthest away from the labour market and to develop the range of data that we publish.

Participant journeys will differ in nature and pace, and progression and achievements will vary based on what a positive outcome means to that individual. This means broadening our understanding of success from a focus on job outcomes to focus on the actual steps taken and progress made towards work.

We first published statistics on participants supported by No One Left Behind in February 2021 for year 1 participants, derived from the aggregate data that was collected during that period. Since then we have developed year 1 data and combined it with data collected quarterly for subsequent periods, which has allowed us to provide more detailed information for year 1 participants, including their achievements. It should be noted that the flexibility of the No One Left Behind approach allows people to come in and out of support as often as is needed, so the time between the initial start date and that to achieve certain progression outcomes can vary considerably.

 

Reach of Services: Who are we reaching and what challenges do they face?

SMF Theme 1 – Reach: Employability services are reaching all those who need support to progress towards, move into and sustain fair work.

All Participants

A total of 44,000 people started receiving support from April 2019 to June 2023. The number of people receiving support has increased over time from 2,749 in year 1 (2019/20) to 18,484 in year 4 (2022/23). In the most recent quarter (April – June 2023) 3,252 people started to receive support.

Age

Most people supported through No One Left Behind were aged under 25 (62%; 27,480). Of these, 19,821 (72%) were aged 15-19 and 7,659 (28%) were aged 20-24. The remaining 16,093 (37%) participants were aged 25 and over, and of these; 5,752 (36%) were aged 25-34, 6,844 (43%) aged 35-49 while only 3,497 (22%) were aged 50 or over. Age was unknown for 1% (427) of participants.

The proportional difference between the under 25 and 25 and over age groups has decreased each year of No One Left Behind, with 55% of people aged under 25 and 43% aged 25 and over in the most recent full year (year 4 – 2022/23). In the latest quarter, there was very little difference between the age groups, with people aged under 25 representing 51% of participants and 25 and overs representing 49% of participants.

There was a notable increase in participation of people under 25 between January and March 2021 (Year 2 Quarter 4) which coincided with the introduction of additional funding to support young people.

Figure 2: The age of people when starting No One Left Behind continues to increase

No One Left Behind participants, by age and quarter, April 2019 to June 2023 (age unknown less than 30 are not labelled)

Sex

Most people starting on No One Left behind were male (55%; 24,411), while the remaining 19,194 (44%) were female. Sex was unknown for 1% (395) of participants. This sex difference has remained relatively stable. In the most recent quarter, the proportions match those observed overall.

However, sex differences by age are more varied. For the middle age groups, 25-34 and 35-49, the sex difference reverses and females account for the highest proportion of participants, 56% and 59%, respectively. The youngest age group, 15-19, has the lowest proportion of females at 37%.

Trans status

Trans status was reported for the first time in the last edition of this publication. This is a new variable included in the new data reporting template since October 2022 (July 2022 for 13 Local Authorities who adopted the new template early). Data are only available for participants starting on or after the 1st October 2022. This question is voluntary.

A total of 188 people have responded yes to the question on trans status. Of these, 79 identified as a trans man, 62 as non-binary, 27 as a trans woman, with the remaining 20 people choosing the “other” option.

Ethnicity

Overall, people from a minority ethnic background have accounted for 6% (2,641) of participants since April 2019. The proportion of minority ethnic participants has varied across years with the highest proportion (7%) in year 4 (2022/23). In the most recent quarter (April - June 2023), the proportion was 9%.

There are age differences. The proportion of people aged 25 and over from a minority ethnic background is 10%, compared to 3% for those aged under 25.

All figures should be interpreted with caution as some percentages are based on small numbers and the proportion of unknowns can vary across time periods.

Disability

Overall, 15% of participants accessing No One Left Behind support reported having a disability (see Disability section in background information for disability definition). The proportion of participants reporting a disability has been consistent with the exception of a notable decrease in year 2 (2020/21). This year covered the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic and a noticeable decrease was also observed in FSS during this year. In the most recent quarter (April - June 2023), the proportion was 23%, the biggest proportion in a single quarter to date. There is less variation by age than observed for other characteristics.  

These figures should be used with caution as some percentages are based on very small numbers and the proportion of unknowns can vary across time periods.

Figure 3: No One Left Behind participants are most likely to be male, white and under 20

Equality Characteristics of People Starting No One Left Behind, April 2019 to June 2023

Criminal Convictions

Data on participants reporting a criminal conviction are reported for the first time. Prior to the new data template, criminal convictions was one option of many within a variable on barriers to employment. While more than one barrier could be chosen, often only the most significant barrier was selected. This means data prior to October 2022 (July 2022 for 13 Local Authorities who adopted the new template early) has a significant number of unknowns. Following the introduction of the new data template, all barriers were presented as stand-alone variables that must be completed. This has significantly decreased the proportion of unknowns.

In the most recent quarter, 198 people (6%) reported a criminal conviction, while 2,903 (89%) reported no criminal conviction. This information was unknown for 151 people (5%). The proportion of people reporting a criminal conviction was also 6% in the previous two quarters since the introduction of the new data template.

Economic Status at Start Date

Data on the economic status of participants are reported for the first time. While most participants joining No One Left Behind are unemployed, some participants may already be in employment, or may be classed as economically inactive, where they are not in employment, and have not actively sought work in the last four weeks. This may include students in full-time education, some people who are sick or disabled, or those who have retired. In addition, a small number of No One Left Behind participants are school pupils. See background information for more in-depth definitions of these categories.

Most participants were unemployed at start date (23,217; 53%), while a further 10,745 (24%) were economically inactive and 4,532 (10%) were employed when starting. There have been 2,716 (6%) school pupils joining No One Left Behind. In the most recent quarter, 58% of participants were unemployed at start date, 21% economically inactive and 10% in employment.

Further information is available for those in employment at start date. While most participants are male, the majority of the 4,532 participants in employment at start date are female (2,638; 58%). Participants employed at start date also tend to be older than those overall, with 1,271 (28%) aged 35-49 and 983 (22%) aged 25-34.

Parents

Parents are a subgroup of all participants supported during the period April 2020 to June 2023 (year 2 onwards). Of the 41,251 people who started to receive support from year 2, 9,316 (23%) were parents. The number of parents has generally increased reaching a high of 1,392 (27%) parents in the previous quarter (January - March 2023). In the most recent quarter, 820 (25%) parents started on No One Left Behind.

Figure 4: The number of parents being supported through No One Left Behind has generally been increasing

Parents Receiving No One Left Behind Support, by Quarter, April 2020 to June 2023

Age

Most parents are aged 25 and over (86%; 7,968), with the majority in the 35-49 years age group (45%; 4,231) and the lowest proportion in the youngest (15-19 year olds; 3%; 256) and oldest (50 and over; 8%; 719) age groups.

Sex

Sex differences are reversed and more pronounced in the parent subgroup (74%; 6,889 female) compared to all participants (44% female). Females have accounted for a significantly higher proportion of parents across the period; however, the proportion of male parents accessing support has generally increased over time, accounting for 16% of parents receiving support in April - June 2020 and increasing to 31% in the latest quarter.

Ethnicity

Of parents accessing No One Left Behind support, 12% (1,137) were from a minority ethnic background, while this was true for 16% (129) of parents in the most recent quarter. Proportions have fluctuated across time periods and caution is required as some percentages are based on very small numbers and the proportion of unknowns can vary across quarters.

Disability

Overall, 16% (1,448) of parents reported having a disability. The proportion of parents reporting a disability has increased over time from 11% in year 2 (2020/21) to 17% in year 4 (2022/23). It was 22% in the most recent quarter.

Figure 5: No One Left Behind parents are most likely to be female, white and 25 or over

Equality Characteristics of Parents Starting No One Left Behind, April 2020 to June 2023

Priority Family Groups

There were 820 parents in the most recent quarter (April - June 2023). Of these, the following groups were observed in terms of parents and those from families at highest risk of being affected by child poverty (some adults may appear in one or more of these family groups):

• 179 (22%) were disabled,
• 480 (59%) were lone parents,
• 43 (5%) were mothers aged under 25 and 25 (3%) were fathers aged under 25,
• 194 (24%) were parents with three or more children,
• 37 (5%) had a child aged under 12 months, and,
• 126 (15%) had a disabled child or adult within the family (this refers to any other disabled adult within the family, not adults who are participants).

Overall, of the 9,316 parents receiving support since year 2:

• 1,448 (16%) were disabled,
• 5,622 (60%) were lone parents,
• 940 (10%) were mothers aged under 25 and 371 (4%) were fathers aged under 25,
• 2,216 (24%) were parents with three or more children,
• 790 (8%) had a child aged under 12 months, and,
• 1,168 (13%) had a disabled child or adult within the family (this refers to any other disabled adult within the family, not adults who are participants).

Please see Tackling Child Poverty Priority Families Overview (opens in a new window) for further information on the priority family groups and their definitions. Information has been collected based on these family groups.

 

Progression of Participants: What are the achievements of those supported by No One Left Behind so far?

SMF Theme 2 - Progression: To enable an individual’s progression towards fair work and sustained employment. Considering aspects such as improving well-being, confidence and motivation, maintaining or re-engaging with support, and developing aspirations and skills.

All Participants

Of the 44,000 people supported under the No One Left Behind approach between April 2019 and June 2023, 13,953 people (32%) entered employment. Of those that entered employment; 5,406 people (39%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, 1,696 people (12%) started modern apprenticeships and 180 people (1%) entered self-employment.

Data on the number of people in employment at 4, 13, 26 and 52 weeks is reported for the first time. Of the 13,953 people that entered employment, 4,885 (35%) were in employment at 4 weeks, 4,712 (34%) at 13 weeks, 4,148 (30%) at 26 weeks, and 2,144 (15%) at 52 weeks after entering employment.

Additionally, 6,080 people supported (14%) entered further or higher education or training, 5,484 people (12%) gained a qualification, 2,103 people (5%) started work experience opportunities, 806 people (2%) started volunteering and 200 people (less than 1%) re-engaged with school.

Please see background for definitions on employment at follow-up.

Figure 6: Most participants achieving an outcome enter employment

Outcomes achieved by No One Left Behind participants, April 2019 to June 2023

Parents

Please note, the following statistics on parents are from year 2 (April 2020) onwards. Of the 9,316 parents supported under the No One Left Behind approach, 2,403 (26%) entered employment. Of those; 394 (16%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, 55 (2%) started modern apprenticeships and 88 (4%) entered self-employment.

Data on parents in employment at 4, 13, 26 and 52 weeks is reported for the first time. Of the 2,403 parents that entered employment, 1,048 (44%) were in employment at 4 weeks, 1,020 (42%) at 13 weeks, 811 (34%) at 26 weeks, and 314 (13%) at 52 weeks.

Additionally, 895 parents supported (10%) entered further or higher education or training, 1,204 (13%) gained a qualification, 182 (2%) started work experience and 120 (1%) started volunteering.

Please see background for definitions on employment at follow-up.

Figure 7: Most parents achieving an outcome enter employment

Outcomes achieved by No One Left Behind parents, April 2020 to June 2023

Age

Progression split by age was reported for the first time in the last edition of this publication.

A total of 9,761 people aged under 25 entered employment. This is 36% of all under 25 participants. For those aged 25 and over, 4,100 entered employment. This is 25% of all participants aged 25 and over.

Of those people aged under 25 entering employment, 4,414 (45%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, while this was the case for 983 (24%) of those aged 25 and over. A higher proportion of people aged under 25 also started a modern apprenticeship (1,643; 17%) than for those aged 25 and over (49; 1%).

The proportion of people aged 25 or over that entered self-employment (141; 3%) was higher than the proportion of those aged under 25 (37; less than 1%). Whilst there was a slight difference in the proportion of those under 25 gaining a qualification (3,638; 13%) compared to those 25 and over (1,831; 11%), those under 25 were more likely to enter full time or higher education or training (4,718, 17%) than those in the older age group (1,324; 8%).

Please see background information for more detail on outcome definitions and criteria.