This report reveals that the activity-based social inclusion programme, Positive Futures, is getting young people back on track and back to work in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities.

The report, ‘Working for us’, reviews the progress of the programme over the last year. The findings show that, despite the economic downturn, the number of young people gaining employment through Positive Futures increased by more than one third compared to 2007/08. Other key findings include:

* The number of young people recorded attaining awards and qualifications rose to 9,677, a 65 per cent increase compared to figures for the same period in 2007/08.

* The programme’s reach being extended to 59,348 young people with nearly one and a half million hours of contact between young people and professionals.

* 1,500 instances of evidence of participants choosing to not take illegal drugs.

* 7,153 (67%) of the 10,725 young people whose engagement level movements were recorded showed movements in a positive direction.