Young people were expected to remain in education or training for longer.
The participation age reforms meant young people in England were expected to stay in education, employment with training, or training for longer after 16.
This matters because education duties and expectations increasingly extend beyond school leaving. For disabled and neurodivergent young people, transitions into post 16 routes can be a major risk point.
Awareverse sees post 16 support as crucial. A young person does not stop needing accessible education because they turn 16.
A common mistake is treating post 16 as independence overnight.
Who had power here, who was left outside, and what would have changed if the human being was seen first?
These deep dives open out from this part of the timeline.