Why is Social Enterprise the key to unlocking youth social action and individual skills?

The UK department for education states social enterprise education plays a vital role in helping children and young people recognise their contribution and responsibilities as citizens of this global community and equipping them with the skills to make informed decisions and take responsible actions.’

A report on the importance of youth engagement in social enterprise highlights the role of practical action as integral to the development of our global society.

‘Practical action taken in the service of others that’s challenging, led by young people and has a positive and measurable impact has a dual benefit; acquisition of new skills and personal wellbeing of the young person, and the positive, impactful benefit to the development of our global society.’

The ROAR challenge is the programme that brings this responsible action to life, in an interactive and inspiring way.

Examining the Evidence:

"Ofsted's new common inspection framework, introduced in 2015, places emphasis on the need for schools and colleges to provide a curriculum rich in personal development to enable children and young people to contribute to wider society" Sir Michael Wilmshaw


"High quality social action has a 'double benefit': benefits to the individuals taking part through their new skills and personal well being and to society by benefiting a cause...The evidence for this double benefit continues to expand and strengthen, highlighting the potential for a substantial return on investment" - Service Nation 2020


"Elements that helped create a distinctive and discernible social action curriculum included the social, moral, spiritual and cultural curriculum extending to the quality of volunteering and extra-curricular developments” - ‘How Social Action Is Being Applied To Good Effect In Schools and Colleges’ Ofsted Report


"The better examples of social action in schools visited by Ofsted had a 'golden thread' of developing skills, knowledge and understanding" - source: ‘How Social Action Is Being Applied To Good Effect In Schools and Colleges’

Fact and Figures

  • 14-19 For those in the 14-19 age group, the CBI found that employers believe schools should be prioritising development of enterprise skills
  • 73% 73% of business leaders believe a skills crisis will hit the UK within the next three years
  • 16.2% The unemployment rate was at 16.2% for 16-24 years old in 2015
  • 78% Employers value aptitude to work at 78% compared to academic results alone at 37%
  • 88% of business’ felt school leavers were not sufficiently prepared for work – British Chamber of Commerce
  • 57% felt a lack of soft skills was the reason for the lack of preparedness amongst young people entering the world of work.