Employment and Enterprise - YEP

Important Notice: YEP Referrals

Thank you for your interest in the Youth Engagement Programme (YEP). Referrals are still open.

We are receiving a high number of referrals at the moment. This means there might be a short delay before we can start support for every young person. We will reply to all referrals quickly, but you may be placed on a short waiting list. A member of our team will contact you to talk about your support needs.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us directly.

We run regular YEP Group Employability Sessions, which young people are invited to join. To be eligible, you must be aged 16 to 24 and not currently in work, education, or training.

If you're interested, please follow the link and complete the form: YEP Group Employability Sessions – Fill in form

YEP is a project that has supported hundreds of young people with additional needs in Cornwall.

The project helps 16 to 24-year-olds who aren't working, in school, or training to access education and employment opportunities. It also supports those who might soon find themselves in this situation.

With a focus on those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), it has already helped more than 1,250 individuals since it began in January 2024.

Formerly overseen by CSW Group, the YEP Project is now managed by Cornwall Council which works alongside partners such as Real Ideas, Pentreath, Carefree, Argyle Community Trust and Pluss to help young people build confidence, resilience, and skills.

YEP is a staged programme. It starts with an assessment of the young person’s individual circumstances and needs. The offer is based on their readiness for the labour market - the greater the need /distance, the more intensive the support.

If you are interested in learning more, or would like to refer yourself or a young person that you think would benefit from YEP please contact: yep@cornwall.gov.uk

Cornwall Council has been chosen by the UK Government as a Lead Authority for the fund. We are responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is part of the UK Government’s Good Growth agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2026. The Fund aims to improve pride in place, and increase life chances across the UK by investing in:

• communities and place
• supporting local business, and
• people and skills

For more information, visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)