The C.H.O.I.C.E.S. framework
Creating choices. Building futures.
C.H.O.I.C.E.S. is the flagship framework developed by London Community Consortium: a whole-person development and progression model designed to help children and young people build the foundations for healthier, safer, more confident and independent lives.
It combines personal development, health and wellbeing, education, employability, vocational training, enterprise and ongoing support.
Employment outcomes are influenced by more than qualifications alone. Young people also need confidence, communication, decision-making, resilience, practical experience and access to genuine opportunities.
What makes CHOICES different?
A
Young people often missed by mainstream provision
CHOICES actively engages:
- +Young people excluded from school
- +Young people at risk of becoming NEET
- +Young people experiencing disengagement
- +Young people with SEND
- +Young people requiring additional support to access employment
B
Employers become part of the programme
Rather than waiting until the end to refer young people to employers, employers become involved from the beginning through workplace exposure, speed interviews, feedback and placements.
C
Enterprise becomes a route to employment
LCC's social enterprise experience gives CHOICES another dimension. Young people can learn not only how to find employment but how to develop products, services and businesses.
What C.H.O.I.C.E.S. means
- CChooseDeveloping positive decision-making, self-awareness and the ability to understand consequences.
- HHealthPromoting physical health, emotional wellbeing, healthy relationships and positive lifestyle choices.
- OOpportunityHelping young people recognise opportunities and overcome barriers to participation, education and employment.
- IIndependenceDeveloping life skills, responsibility, financial awareness and the confidence to manage everyday challenges.
- CCharacterBuilding resilience, integrity, respect, accountability, confidence and positive personal values.
- EEmploymentPreparing young people for work through employability training, employer engagement, work experience and career pathways.
- SSkillsDeveloping practical, vocational, digital, communication and transferable skills.
The delivery model
Our framework is delivered through connected programmes.
01
CHOICES Clubs
Targeted, structured support for young people who may be disengaged from education, unemployed, at risk of exclusion or struggling to access conventional opportunities. An alternative engagement route for those who need additional support to reconnect with positive activities, learning and progression.
Proposed intensive model: six to eight weeks
- +Initial engagement and assessment
- +Personal development
- +Confidence and resilience building
- +Health and wellbeing
- +Life and social skills
- +Employability preparation
- +Vocational learning
- +Employer engagement
- +Work experience
- +Individual progression planning
Each participant is supported through an Individual Action Plan.
02
CHOICES Academy
A wider development and progression structure through which participants access learning, mentoring, vocational opportunities and employment pathways.
The Academy connects
- +Personal development
- +Skills training
- +Education
- +Vocational qualifications
- +Enterprise
- +Mentoring
- +Employer engagement
- +Employment brokerage
Our aim is to help participants progress towards appropriate education, training, employment, apprenticeships or enterprise.
03
CHOICES Sector Pathways
We develop sector-based pathways that connect learning with real employment opportunities. Our initial areas of focus:
- +Catering and hospitality
- +Retail
- +Food production and enterprise
- +Sustainable agriculture and hydroponics
- +Creative industries and media
- +Digital and emerging technologies
The pathways are designed around the skills employers need and the opportunities available within local economies.
Catering, Hospitality & Retail pathway
From potential to employment.
Helps unemployed, NEET and disengaged young people develop the practical skills and experience needed to work in catering, hospitality and retail, combining classroom learning, practical activity, employer engagement and work experience.
Training opportunities
- +Level 1 Health and Safety
- +Level 2 Food Safety, Hygiene and Food Handling
- +Customer service
- +Communication and teamwork
- +Workplace conduct
- +CV preparation
- +Interview skills
- +Retail operations
- +Catering and hospitality operations
- +Enterprise and business awareness
Accredited qualifications are delivered through appropriately qualified and approved training providers.
Employer involvement
Employers are involved throughout rather than simply receiving referrals at the end. Young people meet employers, take part in speed interviews, receive feedback and learn what the workplace expects, bridging the gap between training and actual employment.
Wheels framework and action plans
The CHOICES Wheels give a visual and practical way to explore each area of a young person's development, in entry assessments, mentoring sessions and programme reviews. They support personal reflection, goal setting, midpoint reviews, exit assessments and ongoing progression support.
Stage 1
Entry
Establish needs, interests, strengths, barriers and aspirations.
Stage 2
Midpoint
Review progress, identify additional support and adjust goals.
Stage 3
Exit
Evaluate achievements, qualifications, skills and next steps.
Every participant has an Individual Action Plan. Support can continue through telephone contact, peer mentoring and appropriate referrals.
The C.H.O.I.C.E.S. programme: engage, empower & equip
Our focus is on working with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in some of the most deprived communities and Local Authority wards across the UK, where unemployment and barriers to opportunity remain high.
The C.H.O.I.C.E.S. programme is designed to Engage, Empower and Equip young people, improving their life chances through personal development, education, skills training, mentoring and pathways into sustainable employment.
Our approach raises aspirations, builds confidence, encourages personal responsibility and promotes independence. We provide practical support to help young people develop essential personal and social skills, emotional resilience, healthy lifestyles and the ability to make positive life choices.
Core areas of support
Personal Development
Confidence building, stress management, financial awareness, life skills and personal responsibility.
Health & Wellbeing
Healthy lifestyle choices, emotional wellbeing, resilience and preparation for working life.
Training & Employment
Work placements, work experience, apprenticeships, job coaching and ongoing in-work support.
Mentoring & Guidance
Individual assessments, structured skills action plans, coaching, peer support and ongoing mentoring.
Practical Advice & Support
Help accessing financial advice, housing, childcare, benefits and health services to address barriers to employment.
Employer engagement & opportunities
We aim to build partnerships with local businesses to create meaningful work experience, apprenticeship and employment opportunities across hospitality, restaurants, automotive, music, theatre, arts, design, beauty and other sectors.
Drawing on previous experience of successful delivery in London, we will bring employers directly into the programme, connecting young people with real working environments and opportunities to develop practical skills.
A holistic approach to progression
C.H.O.I.C.E.S. provides individual assessments and tailored support to identify personal barriers, including additional support for young people experiencing mental health challenges or other complex needs.
Through coaching, mentoring, peer support and ongoing guidance, we help participants build stability, confidence and the skills needed to progress towards education, training, employment and greater independence.
Our CHOICES Work Clubs has a track record of supporting positive social outcomes for young people aged 18–24 and was previously nominated for a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Social Justice Award.
Our ultimate aim is to ensure that every young person has the opportunity, support and confidence to recognise their potential, overcome barriers and build a positive future.
From one community to a national movement
CHOICES is a community-led youth development and employment programme developed by London Community Consortium C.I.C.
Our ambition is to establish a national network of CHOICES Clubs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Through regional partnerships, local delivery organisations, employers, educational institutions and national corporate partners, CHOICES will provide young people with access to personal development, vocational training, enterprise, mentoring, work experience and employment.
Not simply more youth clubs, but a connected national infrastructure that creates practical routes from disengagement to opportunity, and from potential to employment.
Who is CHOICES for?
- +Young people not in education, employment or training
- +Young people at risk of becoming NEET
- +Young people experiencing school disengagement
- +Those at risk of exclusion
- +Young people needing extra support to access employment
- +Young people seeking practical skills and vocational opportunities
- +Individuals who would benefit from structured mentoring and personal development
Our approach is person-centred and adapted to individual needs, including reasonable adjustments and appropriate safeguarding arrangements.