We cautiously welcome the government’s Youth Guarantee and its commitment to supporting young people into employment. Any initiative creating new pathways into work for those distanced from the labour market has real potential.
However, we must ensure this doesn’t inadvertently harm the young people it’s designed to help. For many neurodivergent young people, barriers to completing or accepting work placements aren’t about unwillingness – they’re about sensory overwhelm, communication differences, or environments without the right adjustments.
Sanctioning young people who cannot complete or accept placements due to disability-related barriers isn’t just counterproductive, it’s immoral.
For the Youth Guarantee to work for all young people, we need:
- Employers equipped and confident to create neuroinclusive workplaces, welcoming teams and recognise when someone is struggling rather than disengaged
- Young people empowered to understand their needs and advocate for adjustments
- Assessment processes that distinguish between refusal to engage and disability-related barriers before sanctions are applied
With the right support for both young people and employers, these placements could be life-changing. Without it, they risk causing real harm.
The Mason Foundation is keen to work with government, employers, and partners to ensure the Youth Guarantee delivers for all young people.
Rosie Whitehead, COO Mason Foundation
