The nature and scale of the challenges faced by care leavers mean it is difficult for them to be tackled by local authorities alone, and there is an increasing need for organisations across all sectors of society to commit to supporting care leavers.

This is even more vital in the context of devolution and combined local authorities, which create opportunities for local areas to learn from effective and integrated approaches to supporting care leavers.

This report presents the findings of Learning and Work Institute’s research into localised approaches to supporting care leavers and looked after children.

It includes a review of evidence demonstrating the need for integrated models of support, highlights critical success factors of existing local approaches, along with case studies of local areas which have successfully developed effective models of support for care leavers.

13 March 2026

Training and skills needs: Trends and challenges in UK growth sectors

This report, the second in a series of publications funded by Nuffield Foundation, explores the level of estimated skills needs in UK businesses alongside the level and type of training that employers provide.

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13 March 2026

UK’s training and skills ‘tick-box culture’ puts at risk job mobility and future growth, new report warns

New analysis has identified an overreliance on mandatory and compliance training in UK workplaces compared to other countries – at the expense of more in-depth upskilling required for the jobs of the future.

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2 March 2026

When it comes to lifelong learning, are we any closer to the College of the Future?

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute, reflects on the role of colleges in providing adults with opportunity and agency throughout their lives.

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2 March 2026

Why adult education is an investment, not a cost

David Hughes, CEO at the Association of Colleges, sets out why a well-funded, high-quality adult education system is beneficial to society and the economy.

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26 February 2026

New innovation trial offers young Londoners with health conditions tailored support to get ‘work ready’

Shaw Trust is funding and designing a new service to help young people with a health condition or disability get ‘work ready.’ The innovation trial will be evaluated by L&W and launched in partnership with the West London Alliance.

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26 February 2026

Responding to the latest NEET data, February 2026

Learning and Work Institute chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the NEET data released on 26 February 2026.

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17 February 2026

Labour market dashboard

Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.

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22 December 2025

From confusion to clarity: rethinking England’s 670 occupational standards

L&W’s Stephen Evans and Pearson’s Donna Ford-Clarke reflect on findings from our recent research on England’s occupational standards – of which there are now more than double the number in countries like Germany and Switzerland.

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16 December 2025

Responding to Alan Milburn’s investigation into young people not earning or learning

Sam Avanzo Windett, Deputy Director at Learning and Work Institute, responds to the launch of Alan Milburn’s investigation into young people not earning or learning.

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