GLA Visit Showcases the Impact of Pathway Group’s ‘Futures 4 All’ Provision in Barnet
Pathway Group was proud to welcome Ayo Akande, Director of the Skills & Employment Unit at the Greater London Authority (GLA), and Natalie Ferguson, Project Officer for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) NEET Programme, to our Futures 4 All site at the Old Library, Grahame Park in Barnet.
The visit celebrated the collaborative success of this vital provision and highlighted the power of partnerships in helping young Londoners-particularly those with care experience-build sustainable futures.
Empowering Care Leavers and Preventing NEET Status
Launched in April 2024 and now extended until March 2026, Futures 4 All provides holistic, wraparound support to care-experienced young people transitioning into independent adulthood. The programme, delivered in partnership with Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association (NHG) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), combines education, training, and employability with life-skills development in a safe, familiar, and community-based setting.
Grahame Park is one of Barnet’s largest regeneration zones, yet despite investment, the area continues to face high levels of deprivation and social exclusion. Through this initiative, we are helping local care leavers access opportunity, rebuild confidence, and take their next step towards meaningful employment or further learning.
The Scale of the Challenge: NEETs in Context
Across the UK, the challenge remains significant.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 987,000 young people aged 16–24 were NEET (not in education, employment, or training) in late 2024-representing 13.4 % of all young people.
While the figure dipped slightly to 12.5 % (923,000) by early 2025, the trend underscores an urgent need for targeted, preventative interventions.
Research identifies several risk indicators for young people most likely to become NEET:
- Growing up in low-income or high-deprivation areas
- Being care-experienced or looked-after
- Having a learning difficulty or health condition (affecting over 50 % of NEETs aged 16–24)
- Facing cultural, linguistic, or systemic barriers to participation
- Limited employer engagement or access to work experience
At Pathway Group, we design programmes that intercept at these risk points-combining relational support, skills training, and trusted community partnerships to change life trajectories.
Partnerships that Make a Difference
During the visit, Ayo Akande and Natalie Ferguson toured the local area with Cali Ibrahim from NHG and Faizal Ullah, Pathway Group’s Executive Director. They were joined by Safaraz Ali, Founder & CEO of Pathway Group, and Dipexa Patel, Partnership Manager at the DWP.
Together, they explored how the Futures 4 All model brings housing, training, and employment services together in one accessible location.
“This visit shows what can happen when purpose-driven organisations work side by side. It’s not just about getting young people into education or jobs-it’s about giving them belonging, belief, and a pathway to independence. That’s how we change the odds for care leavers.”
Safaraz Ali, CEO of Pathway Group
The GLA visit reinforced how collaborative ecosystems-local authorities, housing partners, employers, and training providers-can collectively reduce the barriers faced by young Londoners at risk of long-term disengagement.
Pathway Group’s Longstanding Commitment to London
Pathway Group has been delivering skills, employability, and careers programmes across London for over 15 years.
Since 2010, we have worked previously with many stakeholders including with Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College and City & Islington College, supporting thousands of learners into work and further study.
Our collaboration with the Greater London Authority, which began in 2019, has seen us deliver several impactful initiatives under the Adult Education Budget (AEB) and UK Shared Prosperity Fund frameworks. The Futures 4 All provision is the latest example of that ongoing partnership in action.
Championing Inclusion through the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance
Pathway Group is also the founding organisation behind the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance (MASA)-a national movement working with employers, colleges, and policymakers to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in apprenticeships and skills.
Through MASA, we advocate for greater access to apprenticeships for under-represented groups, challenge bias in recruitment, and build bridges between employers and diverse talent.
This work aligns directly with the GLA’s priorities for inclusive growth, ensuring that no young person’s background limits their potential.
Looking Ahead
As Futures 4 All continues to grow, Pathway Group remains committed to:
- Expanding the co-located outreach model across London boroughs
- Strengthening partnerships with housing associations, employers, and colleges
- Measuring impact through destination tracking and social value metrics
- Scaling what works-so that every care leaver and NEET-at-risk young person can access opportunity
Our mission has always been simple. To help people move from a job, to a better job, and ultimately to a career.
In London, that means reaching those who are furthest from opportunity and bringing the system to them-one learner, one community, and one partnership at a time.
Safaraz Ali, CEO of Pathway Group
Pathway Group welcomes collaboration from:
- Local authorities seeking proven NEET and care-leaver delivery partners
- Employers interested in inclusive apprenticeship and employment pathways
- Colleges and training providers committed to social mobility and equity
To learn more about Futures 4 All or to partner with us through the Multicultural Apprenticeship & Skills Alliance, contact our Founder and CEO Safaraz Ali or [email protected]