[eal-bilingual] 14 - 17 year old EAL students, low literacy, not placed

I am a cluster based EAL teacher supporting c. 50 schools over all key  
stages (and some nurseries) alongside two support assistants.  We are very  limited 
as to the amount of direct support we can offer schools and so I try to  get 
projects set up which can build capacity within the school and within the  
cluster.

We have a large intake of Eastern European Roma students.  Many come  with 
minimal or no literacy skills in a written language.  This is  especially 
problematic in KS3 and KS4.  There have also been some cases of  young people not 
having a chance to access education due to lack of places  available (esp for 
Year 10 and 11).  These children do not fit into the  category of being eligible 
for Adult education either as they are too  young.

I am concerned that these young people are not getting the chance to  acquire 
any skills in English, or other subject areas, and are therefore  heading 
rapidly towards a massive poverty trap.  I am at a loss as to what  to suggest 
next.

Is this a problem that has been addressed successfully (or even partially)  
in any other area?

Any suggestions gratefully received, many thanks

Una 