We recognise that personal circumstances can impact on a person's ability to engage full time in a course or job. We can offer support to look at courses that can be tailored to your needs, explore with you what you want to achieve and help you make a realistic plan to get there.
Year 11
We will give you access to a careers guidance and information meeting which lets you know what progression pathways are available into apprenticeships, which includes CV and interview preparation workshop. If you didn't do as well as you had expected at school, we will still get you a job with training.
Funding for work and study
It is important you know your full entitlement. It's important you know what financial and practical support you will receive. As a care experienced young person you could be entitled to some or all the following:
- funding to support work uniform or outfits including your clothes for your interviews
- funding for books, study materials, laptops and Wi-Fi
- practical support with applying, preparing, and going for your interview
- funding to support you to visit universities as part of your selection process and more general support with travel costs to get to interviews or when you start off in your new role
- funding with accommodation and university and college costs
- support with the cost of prom’s and graduations
The support goes on and on so speak with your PA to learn more about the support and offer.
Read about what financial support you can receive.
How we can help you get set up at college or university
Going to college or university can give you more options for different jobs. It's also a good place to make friends and develop your confidence. However, deciding where to study can be difficult as there are a number of decisions and choices to make. It can be good to attend an open day at the college or university before applying there. At these you can get a feel for the courses available and what it would be like to study there. We can attend open days with you if you want us to. We can help you with the process of planning to go and study. We also support you while you begin studying, for the length of time agreed in your pathway plan.
We can set you up with from the positive engagement advisors too who can help with education and employment and support you to think through your options.
Everyone's timeline is different. If you decide to return to study between the ages of 21 and 25, a Pathway Advisor (PA) will be available to help you.
Job search
We will support you with finding employment, including help to write your CV, apply for jobs and prepare for interviews. Linking in with the DWP will also support with this and there are local services which can support you. Ask your PA for advice on this or where to go to look into this for yourself.
The Jobcentre Plus will support you to look and apply for work if you are not in education or employment.
Your PA can refer you to Wise Steps, where you will receive one to one support from a job coach for up to 18 months. This will include help with a job search and will focus on removing any barriers to work through social inclusion activities, life skills, confidence building and skills development. Activities will also include ICT training and personal money management.
Remember - Interview clothing should be appropriate to the role you are applying for and not casual. We may be able to provide you with funding for interview clothing and transport costs.
Work experience and taster days
As part of our commitment to care experienced young people we have several opportunities to visit different companies and service to see what a role in that organisation would look like. These opportunities range from day visits across the tourist industry, leisure industry and local authority as well as attending recruitment events where you can speak to people who are already doing the role right through to full weeks of work experience to see if the roles and industry suite you. Please speak to your PA and positive engagement advisor about what these experienced could bring to you and learn more about how to access them.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are an exciting option for young people starting their careers, as you get hands-on training and the chance to put your skills into practice, all while earning money. There are several levels of apprenticeships, so no matter your background, you can start at a level which suits you best. From school leavers, people upskilling in their careers and complete career changes. There are hundreds to choose from and some include a qualification up to degree level. What you earn will depend on the industry, location, and type of apprenticeship you choose. If you're 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you're entitled to the National Minimum Wage. This is the minimum you'll earn - many employers pay a lot more and offer their apprentices a competitive salary.
There are several apprenticeships which are on offer through the council and their partners. Whilst these change each year the offer is there and its worth speaking to your PA or positive engagement advisor about what’s on offer. Thinking ahead can be helpful so that you can line up your apprenticeship in preparation for finishing your studies or when the time is right.
Virtual College
We are developing a virtual college. This will be where all the opportunities available to you are captured in one place. Watch this space for what’s coming next and the easy access to information, job chats and a whole lot more for both you and the local employers who will be supporting and opening these opportunities. This will include sessions on CV building, interview preparation and support and a whole host of different materials which support you on your first steps.
There are also a range of access to education and support courses which are particular to people individual needs, these range from access to short courses, access to courses which support you to develop your Maths and English or smaller more targeted opportunities across the different college providers in Cumberland. There is lots going on so please speak with your PA or positive engagement advisor to learn more.