More than 850,000 youngsters not in education or employment in UK

Ms Rogerson‘s role includes checking in, at home, with students such as Kian.

From Year 7 to Year 11, Kian found school challenging and had extended absences.

“I was probably in like once or twice a month,” he tells us.

“When I first met Kian, I couldn’t get a word out of him for two to three months,” Ms Rogerson says.

“It’s gone from not speaking to me, to being wary, to where we are now.

“I’ll pick him up and go and visit colleges – or we’ll sit and work through problems.”

Kian now attends school regularly and is making plans for his future.

“The school has helped me realise I want to do baking,” he says.

“It’s therapeutic and helps me calm down and de-stress.

“I’m excited about having my own bakery and having multiple shops across the UK.”

This week, Kian got the grades he needed to enrol on a professional bakery course at college.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said the government is “determined” to break down barriers to opportunity for young people and transform their life chances.

“We will offer two weeks’ worth of work experience for every young person, better careers advice at school, create a new body, Skills England, to deliver national, regional and local skills needs, and bring in a new Youth Guarantee of access to training, apprenticeships and back-to-work support.”

Additional reporting by Kate McGough and Kristian Johnson