EXTRA SUPPORT FOR CARE-LEAVERS ON APPRENTICESHIPS

An apprenticeship is underpinned by an individual training plan that has been personally shaped for each apprentice, both in terms of their skills development needs and their support requirements. For care-leavers, this goes one step further, with additional financial support available.

Apprenticeships have robust inbuilt systems of support for all apprentices, whether they are care-experienced or not. This is one of the things they are known for. As an apprentice, you are supported both by your employer and your apprenticeship training provider. Your apprenticeship training provider is the business or college that supplies you with a tutor who teaches classroom sessions, reviews your progress and helps you complete your programme. Your apprenticeship provider is usually a different organisation from your employer unless you work for a large firm when sometimes the employer is also the training provider. 

Read on to find out who can support you and what resources are available for care leavers considering an apprenticeship in the Liverpool City Region. 

Support from your apprenticeship provider

Apprenticeship providers are highly experienced in supporting apprentices and tailoring support to meet each learner’s unique needs, taking account of their personal circumstances. This means they are well equipped and prepared to guide and support care leaver apprentices in overcoming specific challenges. Recognising that additional challenges can be associated with leaving the care system, financial support is available to care leavers starting an apprenticeship. Your apprenticeship provider will help you access this.

But it’s not just about helping you to access funding support. Your apprenticeship provider will actively support you with advice, guidance, and signposting to external specialist agencies should you need it. In addition, you can speak to them about making realistic adjustments to your training programme to take account of your circumstances. This might also involve them talking to your employer to see if adjustments are possible in the workplace.

Not all, but some people do prefer to keep their care journey confidential during their apprenticeship. You can discuss the practicalities of doing this with the support of your apprenticeship provider after exploring the pros and cons with them.

Financial Support

Anyone under 25 who has been within the care system and starts on an apprenticeship is eligible to receive what is known as a bursary, in other words, financial assistance, which you do not have to pay back. 

How are payments calculated?
For those starting their apprenticeship on or after 1 August 2023, the bursary is £3000, payable in instalments over the first year. Those who started before this date are entitled to £1000 in a lump sum. 

Are you eligible?
You will be eligible if you are under 25, have not previously received the bursary, and are classified as an eligible child, a relevant child, or a former relevant child. 

Accessing funds
Your apprenticeship provider will help you with this. You will need a letter of confirmation from your local council. Then, your apprenticeship provider will apply to the government for the funds and pay you.

For more detailed information, you can visit this page [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeships-bursary-for-care-leavers/apprenticeships-care-leavers-bursary-policy-summary].

Seek Out Advice

When leaving care, you will be allocated a personal advisor (PA) from your local care leaving service. The PA takes over from your social worker as you transition to adulthood. When starting an apprenticeship, they will provide you with support and guidance, including advice on finances and working life. As an apprenticeship is an employed position, your PA can advise you on things such as

• Your income: Understanding your apprenticeship salary, payment details and any benefits you can apply for.
• Budgeting: It’s a good idea to plan out your income and expenses so that you start your career with a responsible approach to money.
• Other work-related payments: Sick pay, holiday entitlement, overtime, pensions! 

Local Support

It’s worth looking into what support is available through your local council by checking their website or asking your PA. Examples of what is available could include:

• Other financial aid: Beyond the national bursary, further bursaries or grants may be available locally. 
• Travel costs: Check if your local council can contribute towards commuting to your job.
• Securing a role: If you are applying for employment, schemes often run to assist with the cost of clothing and documentation such as passports or travelling to interviews.

Moreover, your local council can often provide support beyond what is provided for your apprenticeship, e.g., housing or if you have a disability or are a young parent. Find out about what it is where you live via the links below:

• Knowsley [https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-10/Knowsleys-Local-Offer-to-Care-Experienced-People-2023.pdf]
• Sefton[https://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/documents/s94755/Enc.%203%20for%20Corporate%20Parenting%20Role%20of%20Elected%20Members.pdf]
• Wirral[https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/documents/s50105569/Enc.%201%20for%20Local%20Offer%20for%20Care%20Leavers.pdf]
• Liverpool [https://liverpool.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-social-care/leaving-care-local-offer/]
• Halton [https://localoffer.haltonchildrenstrust.co.uk/care-leavers-local-offer/#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20a%20Halton,get%20your%20National%20Insurance%20Number]
• St Helens [https://new.sthelens.gov.uk/careleavers/]

To start your journey, check out current apprenticeship vacancies across the Liverpool City Region here [https://lcrbemore.co.uk/apprenticeship/].