Could you help change the life chances of a young person leaving care? If so, the Council would love to hear from you.
We are asking businesses to consider offering a job opportunity to a care leaver. Compared with other young people locally, care leavers are around nine times more likely to not be in education, training or employment when they enter adulthood.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said; “Care leavers are our city's young people, and we need to work together as a city to ensure they have a successful future.
“Care leavers face significant challenges over and above those normally experienced by our children and young people, but with the right support they can succeed in managing the move to independent living and a career. Supportive employers can play a vital part in ensuring they have the same opportunities in life as other young people.
“Over the last five years, on average we have 180 young people leaving care in Plymouth every year.
“We are very keen to hear from local employers who are willing to give our care leavers a chance, who can offer an apprenticeship, or a work placement for a vulnerable child trying to navigate the difficult path of leaving care and moving to independent living. We are asking for your help to ensure that our care leavers get the same opportunities in life as other young people.
“Offering a care leaver a job opportunity will give businesses a chance to invest in young people who have bright ideas and shows that they are a supportive organisation willing to give young people a chance at starting a career.”
If you are thinking of offering an apprenticeship, the government offers a bursary which is paid to the apprenticed care leaver after they have maintained their apprenticeship for 60 days. The bursary aims to support care leavers as they move from care into independent living and work.
The Council has developed a free pastoral leadership programme through On Course South West, for managers and employers that employ care experienced young people. These programmes can be personalised for your business with flexible delivery options. The flexible programme includes short courses on safeguarding, trauma informed practice and mental health awareness, visit: On Course South West
As an approved apprenticeship training provider, the Council can offer support to businesses to develop an apprenticeship or supported apprenticeship programme, contact apprenticeships@plymouth.gov.uk for more information.
For more information, visit: Care leavers | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK