Education, employment and training
We will ensure you have all the information you need about education, employment and training opportunities as a care leaver.
We have good links with local further education colleges and the council has its own apprenticeship schemes that we can help you apply for.
Talk to your personal adviser to see what options are out there for you.
Preparing for employment
Lancashire's Employment Support Team offer support to Lancashire County Council care leavers up to the age of 25 who are looking for the next steps into employment, apprenticeships, training and volunteering. Your Lancashire County Council social worker or personal adviser will be able to make the referral to the team.
Every Jobcentre Plus in Lancashire has a single point of contact (also known as SPOCS). These are advisers who offer support to care leavers, such as helping you find employment and help with any benefit problems. Your personal adviser will have the contact details for the relevant SPOC.
These websites list different organisations in Lancashire that support people into work through advice, training and projects:
- Moving On - for young people aged 16-18
- Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub - for people over 19
Ask you personal adviser for help accessing this support.
Higher education (university)
If you are interested in going to university find out what support care leavers can get before and during higher education:
Apprenticeship bursary
For apprentices who start their apprenticeships up to and including 31 July 2023, the bursary is a single payment of £1,000. It can only be received once by an individual care leaver.
For apprentices starting their apprenticeship on or after 1 August 2023, the bursary will be £3,000. It is payable in instalments over the first year of the apprenticeship.
This is an offer from The Department for Education not part of Lancashire County Councils local offer.
For more information see the apprenticeships care leavers’ bursary guidance on GOV.UK.
Volunteering
Volunteering can help you develop your skills and experience to help you get into work. Find out about becoming a volunteer and volunteer opportunities in Lancashire through Lancashire Volunteer Partnership.
Financial support
We will provide:
- Funding to re-sit GCSE's, A Levels or AS Levels
- Clothing allowance - for interview clothing, work wear or clothing for educational activities – based on need
- A Leaving Care Allowance Enhancement for voluntary work or if you are in education or training and are unable to access a bursary up to the age of 19.
If you are in education (but not at university), you can apply for a 16-19 Bursary Fund from your school, college or training provider to fund transport costs or equipment.
More information and advice
See the jobs, education and training section for information about apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships and training, careers advice and help getting into work.
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