Helping care experienced young people in Sunderland get into work
Care experienced young people in Sunderland are being offered a unique route into employment thanks to a new apprenticeship initiative by Together for Children (TfC).
TfC's new apprenticeship programme is only open to care experienced young people and aims to address the unique challenges care experienced young people face when moving into further education and employment.
Four young people aged between 17 and 22 from Sunderland, are now taking up apprenticeship roles across the organisation. They are using their own experiences of the valuable work TfC carries out within the transformation, people, children's social care and the school admissions teams to make a difference to families in their home city.
This inclusive and forward-thinking approach by Together for Children is also setting an example to other businesses across Sunderland (as well as the North East and UK) as part of its wider employability programme which aims to help break down barriers to employment. The programme is asking employers to fully embrace and advocate for young people from different backgrounds, purposefully investing in their experiences and abilities, and providing the right opportunities for them to thrive.
TfC is now utilising the apprentices' insight to proactively develop the right foundations for others, enabling care-experienced young people to have relatable role models locally, whilst listening and creating opportunities for many more to move forward with confidence at school or in the workplace.
As well as becoming part of a highly professional and experienced TfC team, the apprentices are also receiving mentoring as part of their apprenticeships. The new apprentices are also supported by a care experienced ambassador who herself started as an apprentice at Together for Children. In addition to on-the-job learning the apprentices attend Sunderland Collage on a weekly basis to achieve official qualifications.
"The apprenticeship (and having a 9-to-5 job) has really allowed me to get into a good and productive daily routine. After filling in the application form and then landing the job, the rest has just fallen into place. The staff are amazing and supportive of what I'm doing, and if I need help, they're there and that's really reassuring. Sometimes young people like me can feel things are a little more difficult to navigate, but it's been perfect, so I'd definitely recommend the apprenticeship route."
Management at Together for Children are eager to support North East companies to instil the correct structure and environment for apprentices to prosper, rather than thinking they can't or don't want to work hard.
Simon Marshall, CEO of Together for Children, explained, "Apprenticeships are just one example of how local businesses can support next generation employees who may have overcome barriers to progression. Data shows that only 40% of care experienced young people in Sunderland (aged 19-21) are currently in education or employment compared to 54% in England*, and this highlights the urgent need for a more targeted approach
"Our employability and mentorship programmes are designed to specifically address this matter for care experienced young people and create better understanding as well as the right working environments for young people to thrive.
"Furthermore, by investing and creating opportunities for all, the local business community can ensure that our young people stay here in the city and the region, and we can celebrate their skills and talents which contribute positively to the local economy. TfC is a strong advocate of this approach, and by demonstrating this, other organisations can hopefully follow suit, breaking down barriers and supporting our many care-experienced young people. It's empowering to see our four new apprentices now an integral part of our team."
Apprenticeship opportunities for care experienced young people are also designed to promote accessibility and a supported route into employment. Together for Children recommend candidates undertaking a more simplified application process and for interviews to be guaranteed when applying for a role.
*Source: Labour force survey data, percentage of looked after young people aged 19 to 21 in England who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) during the year ending 31 March 2024
