Our offer to care leavers

Work and learning

We will work with you to access learning and workplace opportunities, such as:

  • college or university
  • work experience
  • apprenticeships
  • job opportunities

We will help you receive any extra help you require if you have special educational needs or disabilities. 

Careers advice

When you start thinking about work, we will help you access careers advice through your leaving care education, employment and training (EET) worker, college, university or higher education setting.

This may include:

  • helping you to develop your CV
  • highlighting courses and training to build your skills
  • helping you find a job
  • advising about job interviews and employment processes
  • providing a reference

Work experience

Work experience provides opportunities for learning about the skills, behaviours, careers, roles and structures within a workplace.

If you are interested in work experience, speak with your leaving care worker.

Success in six

The EET team offers a work experience programme for young people who have not achieved grade 4 maths and english

  • young people will attend an identified workplace for a period of six weeks (negotiated with the host employer that increases over the six week period) with the intention of them being offered permanent employment at the end
  • you will receive a daily amount during the six week trial. This would be paid on top of whatever other monies they normally receive
  • pay would be in voucher form to a shop or service of your choice
  • we have worked with DWP and you will not have any claims suspended or reduced during your time with us on success in six, this is unless you are being paid by the employer during the six week period

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a job combined with a skills development and training programme. We will support you to access and apply for an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships vary in length and entry requirements depending upon the area. You must have grade 4 maths and english GCSE to start an apprenticeship

They are an excellent opportunity to develop your skills whilst earning some money. For current apprenticeship details see the gov.uk website.

Care Leavers' Apprenticeship Scheme

The care leavers' apprenticeship scheme (CLAS) is tailor-made to employ looked after children and care leavers aged 16 to 21.

You may work in the local authority, or work in sectors ranging from forestry to joinery, motor vehicle mechanics, animal care, elderly care, plumbing, ICT, hairdressing, hospitality and other vocational areas.

If you want to do business administration, you will usually work with us. Speak to your leaving care worker for more information.

All include studying one day a week, plus extra maths and english if you don't have at least a grade 4 at GCSE.

Entry requirements

  • to qualify, you need to be our legal responsibility (taken into care by us) 
  • you must do the work preparation programme. It is a two-day course followed by up to 13 weeks of work experience. All work experience and CLAS placements are tailor-made to meet your needs
  • the apprenticeship through CLAS is dependent upon successful completion of work experience, including at least 95 per cent attendance.

Barnardo's Lincolnshire leaving care service manage the scheme. 

Are you thinking of going to college?

If you would like to go to college, your leaving care worker will support you in choosing the right course.

Many local colleges provide extra support to care leavers.

To find out more, visit our webpage about local colleges.

If you would like any support accessing and attending open days, interviews or help with your applications, speak with your leaving care worker

Are you thinking of going to university?

If you would like to apply to go to university, we help you to:

  • find a course that is right for you
  • secure suitable accommodation, including during holiday periods
  • get you and your belongings to and from university
  • access financial support, loans and bursaries
  • buy equipment that you may need (such as books and a laptop)

Many universities provide additional support to care leavers. It's worth searching their websites or contacting the student support service of the ones you are interested in to find out what they offer.

Contact the leaving care team

Telephone: 01522 575955