Qualifications, Employability and Progression for Young People Aged 16–24

Resilience • Independence • Skills • Employment

RISE to Thrive is Inspiring Futures CIC’s programme for young people aged 16–24 who need additional support as they move towards further education, training, employment and independent adulthood.

The transition into adult life can be challenging, particularly for young people who have experienced disrupted education, additional needs, poor mental health, unemployment, involvement with the criminal justice system or other barriers to progression. RISE to Thrive provides a supportive bridge, helping each young person recognise their potential, develop practical skills and take achievable steps towards a positive future.

Through trusted relationships, personalised support and meaningful opportunities, we help young people build the confidence, qualifications and experience they need to progress and thrive.

 

What does RISE mean?

The four RISE principles guide every aspect of the programme:

• Resilience – developing the confidence and coping skills needed to manage challenges, setbacks and change.

• Independence – helping young people make informed choices, take responsibility and prepare for adult life.

• Skills – building practical, personal, academic and employability skills that support future progression.

• Employment – creating meaningful pathways towards training, volunteering, work experience and sustainable employment.

These principles are underpinned by the wider Inspiring Futures THRIVE Framework: Trust, Hope, Resilience, Independence, Value and Empowerment.

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Who does RISE to Thrive support?

RISE to Thrive supports young people aged 16–24 from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. This may include young people who are:

• Not currently in education, employment or training.

• At risk of becoming disengaged or unemployed.

• Preparing to leave school, college or alternative provision.

• Unsure about their next steps or future career direction.

• Experiencing low confidence, anxiety or poor emotional wellbeing.

• Living with special educational needs or disabilities.

• Care-experienced or preparing to leave care.

• Involved with, or at risk of becoming involved with, the criminal justice system.

• Facing barriers connected to housing, finances, relationships or family circumstances.

• Returning to learning or employment following a period of disengagement.

• In need of additional support to access or sustain education, training or employment.

Every young person begins from a different starting point. We take time to understand their experiences, strengths, needs and ambitions before working with them to create a realistic and personalised progression plan.

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How we support young people

RISE to Thrive provides flexible, relationship-led support shaped around the needs and goals of each young person. We recognise that progress is not always a straight line and that young people may need support with their confidence, wellbeing or personal circumstances before they feel ready to enter education or employment.

Depending on the individual and the opportunities available, support may include:

• One-to-one mentoring and personalised action planning.

• Confidence, motivation and personal-development work.

• Support to identify strengths, interests and career aspirations.

• Access to learning, qualifications and skills development.

• Functional Skills and support with English and maths where appropriate.

• Employability and transferable-skills development.

• CV writing, job applications and interview preparation.

• Practical work experience and volunteering opportunities.

• Support to explore college, apprenticeships and training pathways.

• Communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving activities.

• Wellbeing, physical activity and healthy-lifestyle opportunities.

• Independent-living and preparation-for-adulthood skills.

• Support with emotional regulation, decision-making and resilience.

• Help to understand workplace expectations and professional behaviour.

• Signposting and connections to specialist services where required.

• Continued encouragement during transition into a new opportunity.

Young people are actively involved in decisions about their support. We work alongside them, helping them take ownership of their goals and build the confidence to make positive choices for themselves.

 

Qualifications and skills

Qualifications can open doors, but many young people have had negative experiences of formal education or may not thrive in a traditional classroom environment. RISE to Thrive offers a supportive and practical approach to learning, helping young people reconnect with education and understand how their learning relates to their future.

The programme can help young people develop:

• English and maths skills.

• Digital and communication skills.

• Teamwork and leadership.

• Timekeeping, organisation and reliability.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.

• Workplace awareness and professional conduct.

• Confidence in completing applications and attending interviews.

• Practical and transferable skills valued by employers.

• A clearer understanding of education, training and career pathways.

We focus on progression as well as achievement. This means helping young people understand what their learning can lead to and supporting them to apply their skills in real-life situations.

 

Employability and progression

Employment is about more than finding a job. To enter and remain in work, young people need confidence, preparation, realistic expectations and the ability to manage challenges independently.

RISE to Thrive helps young people explore different options and identify pathways that reflect their interests, abilities and circumstances. This may include further education, vocational training, apprenticeships, volunteering, supported employment or paid work.

Where appropriate, we aim to work with local employers, training providers and community partners to create practical opportunities for young people to gain experience, demonstrate their abilities and develop a better understanding of the workplace.

We also support young people to consider what sustainable progression looks like for them. The goal is not simply to move someone into the first available opportunity, but to help them make an informed choice and build the foundations needed to succeed.

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What we aim to achieve

Through RISE to Thrive, we aim to help young people:

• Recognise their strengths, abilities and potential.

• Improve their confidence, motivation and emotional wellbeing.

• Develop resilience and healthier ways of managing setbacks.

• Build practical, personal, academic and employability skills.

• Gain relevant learning, qualifications or experience.

• Become more independent and prepared for adult life.

• Make informed decisions about their future.

• Develop positive relationships with trusted adults and peers.

• Improve their engagement with education, training or support services.

• Access further education, training, volunteering or employment.

• Maintain their progression and reduce the risk of becoming disengaged.

• Feel valued, empowered and hopeful about their future.

Success will look different for every young person. It may begin with attending consistently, joining a group activity or completing an application. For others, it may mean achieving a qualification, starting college, securing an apprenticeship or moving into employment. We recognise and celebrate every meaningful step forward.

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Why RISE to Thrive is important

The years between 16 and 24 can shape a person’s future, but not every young person enters adulthood with the same opportunities, confidence or support network.

Young people who have experienced disrupted education, additional needs, trauma, care, exclusion, poverty or involvement with the criminal justice system may face multiple and overlapping barriers. Without timely and consistent support, they can become increasingly disconnected from learning, employment and their community.

Periods of unemployment and disengagement can affect more than a young person’s income. They can also damage confidence, emotional wellbeing, relationships and hope for the future. The longer someone remains disconnected, the more difficult taking the next step can feel.

RISE to Thrive provides the trusted relationships, structure and practical opportunities needed to interrupt this cycle. By responding to the whole young person—not simply their employment status—we can help them address barriers, recognise their potential and develop a meaningful direction for their future.

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Our approach

At Inspiring Futures CIC, we believe that young people make the greatest progress when they feel safe, respected, listened to and valued.

Our approach combines compassionate, relationship-led support with clear expectations and achievable goals. We do not define young people by their past experiences or current circumstances. Instead, we focus on their strengths, aspirations and capacity for change.

We understand that trust may take time to build. Our team provides consistency, encouragement and positive adult relationships while helping young people develop greater independence and responsibility.

Safeguarding and wellbeing remain central to our work. Support is delivered within appropriate professional boundaries, with individual needs, risks and circumstances considered throughout each young person’s journey.

We also recognise that positive progression depends on collaboration. Where appropriate, we work alongside families, education providers, local authorities, employers, training organisations and specialist services to provide joined-up support and reduce the risk of young people falling through gaps.

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The impact of RISE to Thrive

RISE to Thrive can help young people move from uncertainty and disengagement towards confidence, purpose and progression.

As young people begin to feel heard and supported, they are more likely to engage, try new experiences and believe that positive change is possible. They can develop greater confidence in their abilities, improve their relationships and become better equipped to manage decisions, responsibilities and setbacks.

The impact extends beyond gaining a qualification or entering employment. Young people can become more independent, emotionally resilient and connected to their communities. They can develop a stronger sense of identity, recognise their own value and begin to see themselves as capable of achieving a positive future.

By supporting young people to enter adulthood with skills, confidence and meaningful opportunities, RISE to Thrive aims to create change that is both positive and sustainable.

 

Work with us

We welcome referrals and partnership opportunities from young people, families, schools, colleges, local authorities, youth justice services, care teams, community organisations, training providers and employers.

Employers and partner organisations can support RISE to Thrive by providing workplace visits, mentoring, skills sessions, volunteering, work experience, training or employment opportunities.

Whether you are seeking support for a young person, looking to make a referral or interested in working in partnership with Inspiring Futures CIC, please contact us to discuss how RISE to Thrive could help.