Employment Challenges for Care Leavers in England

Thousands of young people leaving care in England face significant barriers to employment, with a report from the Drive Forward Foundation highlighting that they are nearly three times more likely to be unemployed compared to their peers. The charity's findings reveal that 40% of care-experienced individuals aged 19 to 21 are not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET), a stark contrast to the 12.7% of non-care-experienced youth in the same age group. This persistent employment gap has remained largely unchanged despite various government initiatives aimed at addressing youth unemployment over the past decade.

The Guardian

In response to the rising youth unemployment crisis, the UK government has introduced measures such as a £1 billion youth employment scheme, which includes a £3,000 grant for employers hiring individuals aged 18 to 24 who have been job-seeking for at least six months. Additionally, there are plans to slow the increase of the minimum wage for younger workers. However, the Drive Forward Foundation's report indicates that many employers, despite expressing a willingness to hire care-experienced young people, have not made necessary adjustments to their hiring practices. A survey of 500 employers revealed that while over 80% were open to hiring care leavers, many had not modified their recruitment processes to accommodate non-linear work histories or gaps in CVs.

The Guardian

Russell Winnard, the chief executive of the Drive Forward Foundation, emphasized that care-experienced young people are often evaluated based on assumptions that do not reflect their actual experiences. He noted that when recruitment systems do not consider these realities, capable candidates are frequently overlooked. The report found that nearly half of the surveyed employers did not adjust job descriptions or recruitment language to eliminate barriers, and one in four had no specific measures to support care-experienced candidates.

The Guardian

In light of these challenges, the Drive Forward Foundation is launching a new toolkit aimed at assisting employers in enhancing access to employment for care leavers. The charity has established partnerships with over 40 employers, including John Lewis, Camden Council, and the civil service, to promote the hiring of care-experienced young people. Winnard stated that employers who adapt their practices often see positive outcomes, benefiting both the young people and their own workforce.

The Guardian

A government spokesperson reiterated the commitment to providing opportunities for every young person, including care leavers. They highlighted targeted support measures, such as increased housing allowances for those up to age 25 and tailored assistance from Jobcentre Plus. The spokesperson also mentioned that the latest initiatives aim to create 200,000 jobs for young people, supported by a broader package totaling £2.5 billion to assist nearly 1 million young individuals.

The Guardian

• “Russell Winnard, the chief executive of the Drive Forward Foundation, said: “Care-experienced young people are often assessed against assumptions that simply don’t reflect their lived reality.” — Russell Winnard, Chief Executive, Drive Forward Foundation

The Guardian

• “Winnard said: “Employers who adapted their practices often saw strong results.” — Russell Winnard, Chief Executive, Drive Forward Foundation

The Guardian

• “A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring every young person has the opportunity to earn or learn.” — Government Spokesperson

The Guardian