Further Education (college)
College courses provide lots of opportunities to train and become qualified in a specific trade or subject area. Examples include plumbing, childcare, health and beauty, public & uniformed services, performing arts/dance, engineering, art and design and carpentry.
Colleges have courses for young people at all levels of ability, so you can work your way up from your own starting point.
Some young people will go on to university from college, while others will go into a job.
Financial assistance
When you are under 19, you can access the 16-19 Bursary Fund.
This will give you up to £1200 per year, either as cash payments or to cover travel, course equipment and free lunches. Your college manages this fund.
If you are over 19, there may be help available – ask your college for details.
Click here to find out about the 16-19 Bursary
What’s it like?
Many young people prefer college to school as you’re treated more like an adult. There’s lots of choice when deciding what to study, so you can study what you enjoy most. Colleges also offer lots of support if you need it.
At college, you have to be self-motivated to get yourself to college and your classes on time, and complete set tasks. If you fall behind, you might not get your bursary payments, and you might be asked to leave the course. It’s important that you choose a course that you will enjoy and be interested in.
If you didn’t achieve a grade 4 at GCSE English and Maths, you’ll have to take lessons in these subjects to either re-sit your GCSE, or take a similar qualification. These lessons will be part of your weekly timetable.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships allow you to combine study with a paid job. You’ll spend most of the time at work, learning on the job.
Apprenticeships are advertised by the employer – so it’s like applying for a job. There are also national websites where all apprenticeship opportunities can be found:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Examples
- Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy
- Customer Services
- Bespoke Furniture Maker
- Nursery Worker
- HGV Technician
- HR Support
- Travel Consultant
- Outdoor Activity Instructor
- Dental Nurse
Financial Assistance
The government offers a £3000 apprenticeship bursary for care leavers up to 25 years of age. This is paid in instalments during the first year of the apprenticeship. Find out more here.
As apprenticeships are often low-paid, you might also be able to claim Universal Credit.
What’s it like?
Many people choose apprenticeships because they can earn money while getting qualified, and it might lead to a permanent job at the end.
The downside is that pay is often low, but this is because the employer is paying for your training costs. You’ll need to have good self-motivation and time-management skills to get to work and college on time each day.
Find out more about apprenticeships with this guide for care leavers:
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/resource/care-leavers-guide/
Volunteering
While you’re looking for a job, studying or working part time, you might choose to find a volunteering opportunity.
This is a good way of achieving new skills, building social skills and making friends, helping others and gaining confidence.
These are all good skills to have when applying for jobs.
Most local areas have a volunteer centre where you can register. They will help you to find a role that suits your skills and personality.
Ideas
- Charity fundraising
- Parkrun/Junior Parkrun
- Dog walking
- Animal shelters
- Foodbank
- Hospitals and hospices
Higher Education (university)
If you’re able to complete a Level 3 course (e.g. A Levels, T Levels), you might then choose to go to university.
Many university degrees offer a Foundation year option if your grades were lower than needed.
Apply through UCAS. Your school or college will help you with this. Make sure you tick the box to say that you are care-experienced as this will ensure you get extra help (financial and practical) when you start your course.
You can find more information about going to university at the Become Charity’s Propel website.
Student Finance
You can’t claim Universal Credit when you go to university, but you can get financial help through the government’s student loan system.
Through Student Finance, you can get a tuition fee loan which is paid directly to the university to cover your fees. In addition, you can apply for a maintenance loan to help you pay for accommodation, food and other living expenses. Student loans are paid back in the future from employment income.
There are other types of financial support available for care leavers:
- NHS Learner Support Fund or NHS Bursary (additional money for specific courses that lead to NHS careers).
- Local Authority Higher Education Bursary (£2000 given to you by your local authority in instalments).
- University bursaries – each university will have a bursary fund for care leavers. There is not a set amount, and some are very generous in covering the cost of accommodation. Ask the universities directly what they offer.
What’s it like?
University is a good opportunity to experience independent living in a supported way. There are lots of social opportunities and you can make lifelong friends.
University is believed to widen future job opportunities, and open up higher-paid career options.
Going away to university can be challenging for young people who are comfortable and happy at home and who miss family and friends and their ‘home comforts’. Managing yourself, your home and your own money can be challenging, but support is available and some people choose local universities for this reason.
Employment
You might choose to go straight into a job when you leave school. Jobs are often advertised on websites such as Indeed, but your local Job Centre will also be able to help you as a young person who’s also a care leaver.
Some national companies have signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant, providing work experience, apprenticeship and job opportunities for care leavers.
The Civil Service also have a Care Leaver Internship Scheme.
If you’re looking for a job, and are not sure where to start, see if these schemes might have an opportunity that suits you.
Employment rights
All employees have a right to the National Minimum Wage. This is set each year by the government, and varies depending on your age.
Employers have to pay you at least this amount per hour, but many will pay a little more.
You will also have the right to paid holiday, rest breaks, a limit on weekly working hours, protection from unlawful discrimination and a uniform provided by the employer if it is needed.
You might also get paid time off when you are unwell, if you have a baby, or if you have a family emergency or bereavement.
See this website for more information about employment rights:
Expectations and Responsibilities
Your employer will expect you to:
- Be on time for work;
- Complete required training;
- Do your job well;
- Follow health and safety rules at work and
- Cooperate with managers and colleagues.
Learn about employment skills at the Barclays Life Skills website.
Local Authority Assistance
Your local authority should help you when you are looking for training and work opportunities. For example, they may offer:
- Private tuition to help you achieve English and Maths qualifications;
- Pay for interview clothes;
- Help you with travel expenses for interviews;
- Pay for equipment and uniform needed for specific courses;
- Give you opportunities to work within your local authority council departments;
- Offer financial rewards for achieving qualifications.
Find your Local Offer for Care Leavers for information about what your local authority can help you with.
