A council has launched an anti-Neet scheme.

Brighton and Hove City Council has unveiled plans to fund organisations to work with young people at high risk of becoming Neet - not in employment, education and training.

Funding worth up to £60,000 is being made available to organisations who can engage with young people in the city The programme aims to improve young people’s personal and social development. The courses in pet care, music production, media arts, construction, child care, car and bike maintenance, and sport and leisure, will prepare youngsters for the world of work.

The 14-19 year olds will also be taught how to use condoms and how to reduce the risks from drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

The Key Stage 4 course providers will be paid £45 per young person per day for a group of eight young people with a maximum payment of £1,350 per young person per 30 week course. The maximum payment for each contract is £60,000.

The courses will start in September and end in May next year.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “The majority of young people accessing key stage four engagement provision provision have complex needs and display challenging behaviour with major barriers to accessing education provision. This provision is also required to meet the needs of young people with statements of special educational needs who may be working at low levels. Young people accessing the provision are the responsibility of their home school.”