Youthreach was established in 1988 to provide second chance education to unemployed early school leavers aged 15-20. It is designed to offer courses of integrated general education, vocational training and work experience.
Towards 2016 set out to increase the number of Youthreach places by 1,000 by the end of 2009. In 2007, 400 additional places were allocated, bringing the total number of places to just under 3,700. Provision has been made in the Estimates for 2008 for a further 100 places. The distribution of this allocation is under examination at the moment.