​

​

Context

​​

The ages of 16–19 are a critical and vulnerable period

for young people, particularly those experiencing

multiple disadvantage. As they take their first steps

into independence, many are left with limited guidance,

compared to peers with more structured

support systems (The Children's Society, 2020).

​

In areas like South London, where opportunities

can feel scarce and social pressures intense, the

aspiration of becoming a professional footballer often dominates.

While football education programmes create a strong sense

of possibility, the reality is sobering: Only 1% of players

entering academies at age 9 secure a professional

contract, and fewer than 10% of first-year pros sustain top flight careers (The FA, 2022).

​

As a result, many young people disengage from alternative career paths and risk being shaped by their environment, rather than shaping their future. Without intervention and guidance, these young people face elevated risks of poor mental health, youth violence, or exclusion from education or employment to name a few (Centre for Social Justice, 2021).

​

Programme Purpose

​

The programme based at CAFC is a grant funded, bespoke intervention programme embedded within their Academy Education Programme. It is designed to work intensively with 12 learners, alongside providing additional pastoral support for all 75 learners across both year groups.

​

Why It Matters

​

• Only 53% of disadvantaged 19-year-olds hold a Level 3 qualification compared to 78% of their peers (DfE, 2023).

• Young people with multiple disadvantage are twice as likely to be NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) by age 18 (Impetus, 2022).

• Early and sustained mentoring improves life outcomes — reducing crime risk, improving mental health, and boosting post-18 transitions (Nesta, 2021).

​

Programme Outline

​

Modules

​

• Intro Module

• Module 1: Emotional Regulation (Intro to Compassionate Mind Training)

• Module 2: Identity – Who Am I

• Module 3: Community – Who Are We

• Module 4: Relationships - Helping Others

• Module 5: Social Impact – Giving Back

• Module 6: Ambition – Stepping Out of the Ends

• Module 7: Year Summary

​

Delivery & Support

​

• Weekly programme delivery (Every Monday).

• Weekly 1:1 mentoring at the club.

• Individualised care plans using goal setting and scaling techniques.

• Bespoke and group trip opportunities.

• Advocacy support with external services (e.g. social care, education).

• Post-FE (Further Education) transition support.

• Employment and education support.

• Vouchers for supporting with different elements of the programme.

• Delivery of a termly programme to the wider student cohort.

• Supporting pastorally with students in the wider cohort that are experiencing challenges in 1:1 capacity.

• Parental/carer engagement.

 

Outcomes

​

So far we have supported 40 young people through the programme over the past 3 years. Below are our outcomes to date:

 

• 25% young people have enrolled onto university courses

• 70% of young people have been successful in finding employment

• 95% have had a successful post college transition with post college care plans being put in place for them

• 100% have achieved their BTEC Level 3 in Sport

• 100% have achieved their Maths and English GCSEs

​

Our Vision

​

We don’t see hope as naïve optimism. Our hopes are that our young people

build resilience, while creating pathways, that result in a young person’s

believing that their future is worth investing in.

 

This isn’t just about preventing negative outcomes, it’s about empowering young

people to thrive and fulfil the potential the system did not create room for,

so they can go and be who they want to be in the world without being

hindered by their grapples with multiple disadvantage.

​

References

​

• Department for Education (2023). Outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

• The FA (2022). Player pathway data.

• Centre for Social Justice (2021). Double disadvantage: The barriers facing young people.

• Nesta (2021). The impact of mentoring on youth outcomes.

• Impetus (2022). Youth jobs gap report.

• The Children’s Society (2020). Life on hold: Young people in a pandemic.