Exclusions Are Rising. NEET Numbers Are Soaring. Here’s How We’re Restoring Young Futures.
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School exclusions are rising fast. NEET numbers are soaring. But for the young people caught in the middle — this is more than statistics. It’s their future at stake.
Did you know? Permanent exclusions in England have risen by over 40% since 2017, with more than 7,900 students permanently excluded in the last reporting year alone. For looked-after children or those with SEND, the risk is even higher — they’re up to four times more likely to be excluded than their peers.
It’s a path that leads straight to the NEET crisis: nearly 800,000 young people aged 16–24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training. Too many young people feel written off before they ever get the chance to prove what they can do.
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Why We’re Doing This?
Why We’re Doing This?
At Genuine Futures CIC, these aren’t just statistics. Many of us have lived it — growing up in care, being expelled or excluded, and ending up caught in the youth justice system or the adult prison system. That lived experience is what shapes everything we do now.
Sam Smith, Founder of Genuine Futures CIC, says:
“They gave up on us. We didn’t. Now, we won’t give up on them.”
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Introducing R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Young Futures
Our new early-intervention mentoring and enterprise programme, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Young Futures, is designed for young people aged 12–15 — especially those who are care-experienced, NEET-risk, have SEND or are at risk of school exclusion.
R.E.S.T.O.R.E. stands for:
* R — Restorative
* E — Education
* S — Shaping
* T — Transformation
* O — Opportunity
* R — Resilience
* E — Enterprise
It builds on the proven success of our Unlocking Your Potential and Boss Your Future programmes — both of which have rebuilt trust, hope, confidence and real skills for young people who’ve been excluded from mainstream education or are looked after in care.
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How It Works
When we asked parents, carers, schools and young people what they really needed, the answer was clear:
- Early, practical support — not when it’s too late
- Small groups and relatable mentors
- Real, hands-on activities that feel meaningful — not tokenistic
- A safe, non-judgmental space where they can build trust again
That’s exactly what R.E.S.T.O.R.E. delivers:
* Weekly small-group mentoring with relatable, lived-experience mentors
* 1:1 check-ins and wraparound support so no one slips through the cracks
* Motivational talks and real stories from people who’ve been there — not just lectures
* Practical enterprise activities — like our pop-up car cleaning project once our new van is on the road!
* Real opportunities to build teamwork, money skills and self-belief in a relaxed, supportive setting
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What Young People and Parents Say
“I used to bounce from job idea to job idea — now I have a firm vision.” — Jaxon, 15
“Wow — all that’s come from the boot of that car? It’s true — you can start a business from nothing.” — Alex, 15
Aurora Woodlands SEN students loved our pop-up car wash — real pride, teamwork and purpose.
Parents see the difference too:
Gill said: “This is the first time I’ve seen my child believe he’s got something to offer. He finally feels understood.”
Katrina added: “The difference is huge — he comes home talking about what he’s done, not what he can’t do. It’s given him hope again.”
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A Word from Our Director
Mike Alleyne, Director at Genuine Futures CIC, says:
“This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about giving young people who feel forgotten a real chance — and showing them they’re worth investing in. Our lived experience helps build the trust they’ve never had in the system. That’s how you break the cycle.”
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Fully Funded Thanks to the National Lottery
Our R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Young Futures programme is fully funded through the National Lottery, so schools, PRUs and local youth teams can book a free, fully funded taster session with no barriers. When our multi-purpose van launches later this year, we’ll bring enterprise activities like our pop-up car wash straight to schools — so young people gain real experience, real skills and real hope right where they are.
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Get Involved
If you’re a school, PRU, parent, carer or youth organisation, now’s the time to act. Let’s break the cycle of exclusion together — and show young people that hope is real.
Book Your Free Taster Session Today!
hello@genuinefutures.co.uk | www.genuinefutures.co.uk<http:
Based in Bolton — working across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and beyond
“They gave up on us. We didn’t. Now, we won’t give up on them.”