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Improving Employment Outcomes for Care Leavers
Chris Melvin – Chief Executive, Reed in Partnership
Hanna Lewis – Communications Executive, Reed in Partnership
About Reed in Partnership• Prime Provider of the Work Programme in West London
• 13 years experience of welfare-to-work, skills and business support
• Global Operations with contracts in Australia and Poland and market development programmes in France and Germany
• Our approach has helped over 115,000 customers move from benefits into work – 35,000 of these were under 25
Children & Young People in CareThere were 64,400 children and young people in care inEngland last year, a 6% rise from 2009Why?• 61% - Abuse and / or neglect• 12% - Family dysfunction• 9% - Family in acute stressWho?• 76% White, 8% Mixed, 7% Black/Black British• 56% Male, 44% Female• 21% Over 16 years old
Statistics of Achievement• Only 12% of children in care achieved 5 or more GCSEs
including English and mathematics at grades A* to C compared to 53% of all children.
• 33% of looked after children are NEET
• In March 2010 the proportion of care leavers in employment, education or training ranges from 34% to 87% across local authorities
Statistics from Department for Education (2010)
Why are care leavers disadvantaged?• Numeracy and literacy skills• Employability skills• Homelessness• Drugs and Alcohol• Teenage Parenthood• Custody• Health• Knowledge of the benefits system• Lack of investment and aspiration• Wage Scars• Stigma/confidence
What has been done?
Legislation• The Children (Leaving Care) Act, 2000• Children and Young Persons Act, 2008
Policy • Right2BCared4• From Care2Work• Care Matters
Moving Forward: General Approach
• Partnership working• Utilise the expertise of the voluntary sector• Must complement existing LA provision• Earlier intervention• Increasing employability skills• More assessment and less prescription
Key Challenges
• Postcode Lottery• Benefits System• Need for joined-up government• Lack of work experience• Integrated and long term support• Professional employment and skills support
Moving Forward: The Work Programme
How could the Work Programme help?• Sustainable employment• Avoid significant initial spend from government• Professional Employment & Skills Advisers• Access to job vacancies• Flexible and personalised support
Earlier Intervention ModelCustomer Type Frequency
Age of 15 + As required by YP
6 months before leaving education
Initial interview with expectation of at least quarterly meetings
YP in full time education/training
At least quarterly meetings
Young Person NEET At least monthly meetings
Young Person on benefits At least fortnightly meetings
Young Person in employment At least quarterly meetings
Core Recommendations
• The Work Programme to open up to looked after children aged 15+
• Professional and dedicated employment and skills support
• Local authorities to increase the no. of positive role models available to young people
• Improve access to work experience• Government to ensure looked after children are better off after welfare reforms
Contact Details
Hanna LewisCommunications Executive
Tel: 0207 708 6063
Fax: 0207 708 6011
hanna.lewis@reed.co.uk
or visit us at Stand Number 35 in the exhibition hall
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