Teen crime and joblessness probed

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An inquiry into why many young people are drawn into crime and long-term unemployment rather than education or jobs is being launched.

The study, by the Nuffield Review and education charity Rathbone, will last for 18 months.

Experts in youth issues will hold a series of workshops across England and Wales to discuss the problems facing 14 to 19-year-olds.

The inquiry will present its findings to Parliament in 2009.

Dr Geoff Hayward, from Oxford University's Department of Educational Studies, is the director of the Nuffield Review.

He told BBC Radio Five Live the aim of the inquiry was to gain a better understanding of the reasons behind poor achievement among young people.

"What we want to try and do is identify effective practice," Dr Hayward said.

"So, find people who are working with these young people who can tell us, from their own experience, what works in terms of local initiatives and local policy."

Every year in England and Wales about 200,000 teenagers leave education, often with few qualifications.

Rathbone has more than 60 centres in the UK supporting young people who have failed in mainstream education, been excluded or committed crime.

The Nuffield Review conducts independent research and analysis of education and training for 14 to 19-year-olds.