YFF Self-employment trial feasibility study

This study considered the feasibility of trialling a new self-employment support intervention with young people not in employment, education or training (NEET). The rationale was that self-employment might provide a meaningful way forward for young people who otherwise might struggle to find work for a range of reasons including low qualifications, lack of experience, discrimination, caring responsibilities, poor health and weak local labour market.  An underlying premise was that self-employment might provide the flexibility required to accommodate these characteristics and constraints.

Working with Professor Richard Dorsett and colleagues at the University of Westminster, the team completed extensive data analysis, a targeted literature review and a series of consultations involving self-employment support providers and young people. From this, a new comprehensive model for self-employment support was designed suitable for young people NEET in a range of contexts. Alongside this, a trial protocol was developed which describes how this intervention can be tested through a randomised controlled trial.

Project details

Client	Youth Futures Foundation
Year	2024
IES contact	Becci Newton Cristiana Orlando Jonathan Buzzeo