Knowsley Council has signed up the Care Leaver Covenant as part of its commitment as a Care Leaver Friendly organisation and making a positive difference for care experienced people.
Across the country, 10,000 young people leave the care system each year. Councils support care leavers up to the age of 25, but it’s really important that wider support is provided beyond this as not all care experienced people have the same resources and networks that their peers have.
The Care Leaver Covenant works with organisations, like Knowsley Council, to connect care experienced people with opportunities in education, work, wellbeing, money and their home.
As well as having a Local Offer for Care Experienced People in Knowsley, the council has signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant by supporting care experienced people through recruitment and development.
This includes widely promoting council vacancies such as apprenticeships and jobs, offering employment opportunities including work experience, a job trial scheme and care experienced young people are guaranteed an interview if they meet the criteria for a role. In addition, and as with all early talent roles which includes care experienced people, a workplace buddy is assigned to provide advice and guidance.
The Local Offer for care experienced people in Knowsley provides a range of support, services and offers including housing supporting, free access to Volair leisure centres, Council Tax exemptions, free travel on public transport across the Liverpool City Region with the Care Leavers Metro Card, independent living skills training and support with accessing employment and training.
Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“I’m delighted that we have signed up the Care Leaver Covenant, clearly demonstrating our commitment to supporting our care experienced people with their next steps into employment.
“Like any young person, it’s difficult to know what you want to do when you leave education, so our Care Experienced People team work with our young people to provide advice and guidance and identify potential career paths with them.”
Cllr Jayne Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Resources, added:
“The council provides over 700 services so the range of employment opportunities here is endless.
“It’s really important that we support our young people when they are deciding on their next steps and supporting them with their career aspirations.”