Businesses across Staffordshire are being encouraged to help care leavers move into employment – with support, recognition and a boost to their social value score on offer.
Staffordshire County Council is hosting a free breakfast event on Wednesday, 14 May, at The Moat House in Acton Trussell, where business leaders can learn about the benefits of getting involved. Industry experts BayNel will also share practical insights on how supporting care leavers can enhance a business’s social value score.
There are more than 1,100 care leavers aged 16 to 25 in Staffordshire (excluding Stoke-on-Trent), and the council is urging businesses to help unlock their potential.
Firms that sign up receive up to 18 months of support from the county council’s supported education programme, including an expert matching service to help find the right candidate. They can also contribute to the Care Leavers’ Bursary Fund to support them with training and employment-related costs, with donations matched by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Employers who take on a care leaver, contribute to the bursary fund or offer a guaranteed interview receive a Care Leavers Covenant quality mark and automatic accreditation to the Care Leavers Covenant.
Staffordshire businesses who have already committed to supporting care leavers include Fenns, Cosydirect, Time 4 Sport, The Spark Group and 1 Step Beyond.
Chloe Kelly, Business and Enterprise Programme Officer at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Care leavers face additional challenges to those who have not experienced the care system. They often have fewer opportunities and face barriers associated with being a ‘care leaver’ – but these young people have a lot to offer.
“There are 1,115 care leavers in Staffordshire so this is quite a large pool of people who could enter the workforce, benefitting themselves, the business and the county. We want to speak to businesses who can help to remove that stigma by giving a young person a chance and an opportunity.”
The event will take place at The Moat House in Acton Trussell on Wednesday, 14 May, from 8am to 10:30am, with a complimentary breakfast provided. The event is free but booking is essential.
