Breaking up the Connexions service will hurt some young people. While Connexions has provided a “targeted” service to help the disadvantaged, its “universal” service has also addressed the needs of other young people. For example, those who have dropped out of sixth forms can get the help and support of a Connexions personal adviser.

If the funding for the “universal” service is given to schools, would schools show real concern for possibly disruptive students who had chosen to leave them?

As a worker in a school with predominantly middle-class students, I am concerned that young people who drop out will fall between the two new services.

I also fear that minister Margaret Hodge’s green paper will undo the work Connexions has done to create partnerships between schools, colleges, behaviour support services, education welfare services, youth services, social services and voluntary organisations.

Daniel Gray

59 Newton’s Lane

Cossall

Nottinghamshire