This report presents findings from L&W’s implementation and process evaluation of year one of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer. 

In November 2024, the Government announced the creation of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, with the aim of supporting young people into education, employment and training. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) was one of the combined authorities selected to test innovative approaches to address “persistent challenges around coordination, engagement and accountability” within the different systems supporting young people. L&W was commissioned by CPCA to evaluate the implementation of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, drawing on experience from our wider Youth Guarantee for England programme of work.

The CPCA Youth Guarantee Trailblazer aims to address systemic issues in provision for the region’s NEET young people through a range of infrastructure and place-based services. In year one, CPCA commissioned 30 delivery partners to expand existing services and develop new and innovative provision for young people. Delivery covered a wide range of support types, including confidence and wellbeing, mental health, pre-employability, training and work experience, all delivered through face-to-face, online and hybrid formats.

L&W’s evaluation draws on mixed-methods research including in-depth interviews, young people focus groups, survey data and management information (MI) data. It presents a series of recommendations to inform the second year of the Trailblazer and future delivery, as well as implications for wider CPCA policy and the roll out of the Youth Guarantee nationally. While the recommendations have been tailored to the regional context, some of the learning is applicable to other areas or to other programmes with similar institutional arrangements.

Delivering local solutions to a national challenge

Our webinar will share lessons from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, offering insights into how local areas can identify, engage and support young people who are at risk of being left behind.

Watch live at 1pm on 15/09/26