Education and Skills Act 2008

Main implications

The act introduces a requirement to remain in education or training beyond the current statutory leaving age, which is 16. The key areas of reform are as follows:

- A person who is above the compulsory school age but has not attained the age of 18 has the duty to be participating in full-time education or training (apprenticeship). A person who is above the compulsory school age but has not attained the age of 18 and is in full-time employment can be considered to be participating in relevant education or training if arrangements have been made for that person to receive relevant training during his or her occupation;

- Parents have the duty to assist their children who are not of compulsory school age but have not attained the age of 18 with participation in education or training;

- Employers have a duty to release young people for the equivalent of one day a week to undertake training elsewhere, in cases where the employer does not provide training;

- Local authorities have a duty to ensure that young people participate and to provide a support service (called Connexions);

- Local authorities have a duty to assess the education or training of young people with special educational needs.