Supporting care leavers into employment

Businesses can play an important role by providing care leavers with the opportunities to start their journey into paid employment.

Care leavers are individuals who have spent time in care as children, including foster care, residential care like children’s homes or other arrangements outside immediate or extended family.

Vivo Care Choices, an in-house care service at Cheshire West and Chester Council, supported care leaver Alicia into employment almost 18 months ago. She has been providing care and support to people with learning disabilities and autism ever since, helping them become independent in the local community and enjoy life to the full.

Alicia said: “The Council’s Young People’s Service was a big help, supporting me to put together a CV and arrange an interview.

“It was a bit daunting starting my job at first because I’d never done this kind of work before, but there’s a big team here and everyone made me feel so welcome.

“The best thing about my job is the relationships you form with the people you’re supporting.

“People ask for me, ask where I am and appreciate what I do for them so that’s really nice to see.

“My upbringing has been challenging, spending time in foster care, and I’ve got a little boy of my own now so working for Vivo gives me a normal routine.

“It’s given me a lot more motivation, helping other people, and something to get out of bed for each morning.

“The longer you’re in the job, the more you can progress and the more responsibilities you’re given.”

Care experienced young people can be the professionals, business owners and neighbours of tomorrow when they’re given the opportunities and you can support them as you would your own child.

The Care Leaver Covenant is a national promise made by the private, public and community sectors to provide support for care leavers aged 16 to 25 to help them live independently and thrive in their local communities through employment. Businesses can sign up at: mycovenant. org.uk and advertise their opportunities through the Covenant app.

For an informal chat, you can also email: info@mycovenant.org.uk or louise. mcalley@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and learn more about how communities and businesses play a crucial role being a corporate parent to young people with care experience.