Drive to get care leavers into work (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Drive to get care leavers into work

1:00pm Saturday 28th August 2010 in

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YOUNG people leaving care have significantly poorer prospects than their peers in relation to education, training and employment.

At 19, 29% of people leaving care are not in employment, education or training (NEET), compared to 10% of the general population.

There is also evidence to suggest that those who have left care will enter and stay in low-skilled work or will depend on benefits.

Somerset County Council and Connect South West Ltd are working with the National Care Advisory Service on an initiative called ‘From Care2Work’.

It aims to narrow the gap between care leavers and their peers by working closely with national employers and local authorities to offer opportunities for work experience and mentoring to support care leavers into work.

Care2Work will support care leavers to gain skills and qualifications through employer visits; work experience placements; open days/visits to the workplace; taster sessions; skills building sessions/courses; and apprenticeship placements.