Availability, challenges and opportunities in the South East of England

Learning and Work Institute (L&W) was commissioned by the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) and funded by MHCLG, to research availability, challenges and opportunities in ESOL provision for 16–19‑year‑olds across the South East. This work responds to concerns that young asylum seekers, refugees and other migrant learners face significant barriers to accessing the English language support needed for education, employment and integration. Drawing on regional mapping and in‑depth interviews with colleges, local authorities and community organisations, the research found:

• Strong overall ESOL availability but major gaps at pre‑entry level, with long waits due to limited enrolment points.
• Rising demand, particularly from unaccompanied asylum‑seeking children (UASC), leaving many young people without timely provision.
• Learners have complex needs, requiring trauma‑informed, holistic and pastoral support.
• Provision often does not align with learners’ aspirations, with limited embedded or vocational ESOL pathways.

In response to these findings, L&W recommends that policy makers, providers and local authorities collaborate to:

• Expand funding for 16–19 ESOL, in line with demand and to meet learners’ needs, including for pre‑entry and flexible year‑round provision.
• Strengthen trauma‑informed practice and invest in specialist pastoral support.
• Develop embedded ESOL and ESOL‑vocational pathways to support progression.
• Improve local coordination between colleges, local authorities and VCSE partners to address gaps and respond to demand.