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