'Every young person is entitled to support in moving into a positive and sustained destination.'

The success of the education system will be judged on the extent to which it contributes to the national indicator on positive and sustained destinations.

Skills for Scotland makes clear the Scottish Government's desire for all young people to stay in learning after 16. It makes a clear commitment to young people about the routes on offer to education, employment and training (and the support they can expect) and recognises the need to focus on particularly vulnerable groups of young people.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Review recognised that for higher attaining young people the post-school transition to further or higher education is fairly straightforward but that for weaker learners there were more complex and uncertain pathways.

16+ Learning Choices is the new model for taking forward the Skills for Scotland commitment. This model will ensure that there are clear, robust processes in place for ensuring that all young people completing compulsory education have an offer of a suitable place in post-16 learning, with a particular focus on providing more choices and more chances for those who need them. As such it will support the planning and delivery of a coherent and inclusive curriculum in the senior phase, irrespective of the setting.

There are three crucial elements to ensure that this happens:

1. Young people must have access to the right learning provision - which includes opportunities to continue to develop the four capacities through staying on at school, entering further or higher education, taking part in a national training programme, volunteering, participating in community learning and development, or following a more tailored programme of personal and social development.
2. Young people must also have the right information, advice and guidance from Skills Development Scotland and other support agencies to help them make the right choices. Some may need ongoing support to help them sustain and progress their learning.
3. Young people must also be able to access financial support so that staying in learning is a viable option.

The aim is to have the model in place across Scotland for all young people by December 2010. A number of 'early implementers' have been identified who started to implement 16+ Learning Choices from December 2008.

Local authorities and schools are responsible for planning and supporting young people to make successful transitions to young adulthood and the world of work. This includes ensuring that transition arrangements for young people with specific additional support needs comply with the appropriate code of practice. Within Skills Development Scotland, Careers Scotland also plays a crucial role by providing information, advice and guidance and focused, sustained support for targeted young people, including those making the transition from children's to adult services.

Reflective question

1. What are the planning and delivery implications of providing young people with opportunities and support to stay in learning after 16?

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