More than 850,000 young people are neither in education nor in employment in the UK

Part of Ms Rogerson’s role is to check in on students like Kian at home.

From grades 7 to 11, Kian found school difficult and had prolonged absences.

“I probably went there once or twice a month,” he tells us.

“When I first met Kian, I couldn’t speak to him for two or three months,” Rogerson says.

“We went from silence to mistrust, to where we are now.

“I’ll pick him up and go visit universities – or we’ll sit down and work things out.”

Kian now attends school regularly and is making plans for his future.

“School helped me realize that I wanted to do baking,” he says.

“It’s therapeutic and helps me calm down and de-stress.

“I am delighted to have my own bakery and several stores across the UK.”

This week, Kian got the grades he needed to enroll in a vocational baking course at university.

A Department for Education spokesperson said the government was “committed” to breaking down the barriers that prevent young people from having opportunities and transforming their life chances.

“We will provide two weeks of work experience for every young person, better careers advice at school, create a new body, Skills England, to meet national, regional and local skills needs, and introduce a new Youth Guarantee for access to training, apprenticeships and support back into work.”

Additional reporting by Kate McGough and Kristian Johnson