In September, we brought together employers and youth engagement leaders at our Youth Action Forum (YAF) to explore how we can better support young people facing barriers to employment — including those affected by homelessness, neurodivergence, and the justice system.
We heard from partners Youth Futures Foundation, Key4Life, Centrepoint, and ThinkForward UK, who shared inclusive recruitment strategies, inspiring success stories, and research into the challenges faced by NEET youth.
Our Youth Action Forums are a key part of how we bring employers and partners together to share insights, experiences, and practical solutions. They provide a space to discuss the challenges of running work experience programmes and explore ways to ensure we continue delivering quality work opportunities for young people. These forums are invaluable for learning, networking, and shaping more inclusive employment practices.
Reflecting on the day, Ashley from Think Forward said:
“I find these experiences give me loads of energy, new ideas and today has reminded me of the levels of complexity and the need for a highly bespoke approach to working with young people who are at risk of exclusion.”
Similarly, Amy from Centrepoint highlighted the collaborative spirit of the forum:
“We all need to take steps further to influence recruitment strategies and processes, it’s been awesome to talk through that today.”
The session concluded with a focused discussion on how employers can turn insight into action. In response, we’ve developed three new employer guides with our network of partners to help organisations create more inclusive workplaces.
We want to thank all the youth partners and employers who joined the YAF and shared their expertise. Your input was invaluable in shaping both the discussions and the content of these new resources.
Unlocking Potential: New Employer Guides Now Live
Guides cover: How employers can support NEET youth with neurodivergence, experiences of homelessness, and involvement with the justice system.
What’s Inside
- Challenges – Barriers NEET young people face and why inclusion matters
- What Works – Proven strategies for recruitment and support
- Work Experience – Creating flexible, empowering opportunities
- Workplace Culture – How to foster respect, empathy, and inclusion across teams
- Training & Partnerships – Where to find expert guidance, resource & training
- Inclusive Hiring – How diversity strengthens teams and drives innovation
MtW Members: Access the guides via the Members Area under ‘Support’: https://movementtowork.com/members/
Not a member? Join here: movementtowork.com/employers-join-now
Inclusive hiring isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good for business and life-changing for young people. Let’s continue unlocking potential together.