Care leaver looking for work or training

How can we help?
Care Leavers

For young adults leaving care in Wolverhampton, there is support available to help you to adapt to independent living. Your Young Person Advisor (YPA) can point you in the right direction for all the support you need, but if it is specifically work or training you are looking for, there are other organisations who can help.

Don’t forget your Young Person Advisor (YPA) is here to help you through every step of your journey. To get back in touch with your YPA, contact Wolves Children in Care.

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Finance, Benefits and Practical support
Finance, Benefits
and Practical support

How we can help you with Education, Training and Employment

City of Wolverhampton Council are committed to enabling you to reach your full potential and supporting you to have high aspirations for yourself. Through your Young Person Advisor, you can find help with:

Career Planning and Advice

  • You can get support from the Education, Employment and Training (EET) Coordinator offering information advice and guidance on accessing education training and employment. This includes help with your career planning and support with accessing funding
  • You can attend a weekly drop in session at The Way every Friday afternoon and individual appointments are also available for career advice and support
  • You can get support from Connexions, who provide careers advice and support to young people aged 13-19, and up to age 25 if you have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
  • If you’re not in education, employment or in training you can get additional support to help you. This can include support from Black Country Impact, who will help you to access support to get into education, training and employment

Education Planning

  • You will have a post 16 Personal Education Plans (PEP) whilst you are still looked after and in education, employment and training
  • You can receive a post 16 PEP as a care leaver to help support you with your employment, education or training
  • We can provide you with help and support in accessing work experience

Higher Education

  • Information, Support and Guidance in applying for a place in Higher Education. You will receive support when you are there, and advice when you are ready to leave
  • If you attend University either locally or nationally, you will be entitled to a bursary to support you financially
  • You can get support on post-graduation career planning
  • We will offer you financial assistance whilst at University, which includes support with travel, accommodation and academic books

Finding Employment or Apprenticeships

  • When ready for work you can get support from a work coach from Wolves at Work
  • You can find out about opportunities on getting into work through the Wolves Workbox website, here you will find The City of Wolverhampton Council multiple apprenticeship opportunities available to you
  • As a care leaver you will be guaranteed an interview for any apprenticeship you apply for
  • You can access support with interview techniques through the EET coordinator and you can participate in a mock interview that will be related to the position you are applying for
  • Wolverhampton Homes offer 5 apprenticeships opportunities per year to care leavers
  • The Children and Young People’s Service, offer 3 work opportunities per year to care leavers

Practical and Financial Support

  • You can get support to ensure you have appropriate clothing for interviews
  • You will receive a £1000 bursary when undertaking an apprenticeship
  • You can get financial support with travel, clothes and equipment when starting work
  • You can access free dry-cleaning services through Timpsons to help you to prepare for interviews
  • You can access a 50% discount on transport on most Network West Midlands travel passes, and National Express travel passes for up to three months when you start a new job
  • You can access a 16-18 photocard which entitles all 16-18-year olds to buy child rate tickets for travel on the bus, train and tram. The 16-18 photocard is available to those in full-time education, apprentices, trainees and those in employment
  • You could be entitled to an English National Concessionary Pass which gives those of you who are registered disabled, free travel by bus anywhere in England during 'off-peak' from Monday to Friday

These organisations can also help:

Care Leaver Covenant

Care Leaver Covenant

The Care Leaver Covenant is a partnership between local and national organisations dedicated to supporting care leavers aged 16-25 to live independently. Visit website...

Helena Kennedy Foundation

Helena Kennedy Foundation

The Helena Kennedy Foundation can provide financial burseries, mentoring and support to disadvantaged students in further and higher education. Visit website...

Unite Foundation

Unite Foundation

The Unite Foundation provides scholarships to ensure that care leavers aren't left behind when starting out in Higher Education and planning their careers. Visit website...

Connexions, Wolverhampton

Connexions, Wolverhampton

Connexions Wolverhampton offer careers support and advice for young people aged 15-19 or up to age 25 if you have a learning difficulty. Read More...

National Careers Service

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service is a government funded organisation, which can help you to make decisions about learning, training and work. Read More...

Wolves at Work

Wolves at Work

One-to-one support and advice to adults of all ages in Wolverhampton who are looking for employment or for opportunities to progress in their career, including free skills assessments. Read More...

Prince’s Trust

Prince’s Trust

For young people aged 16-30, offering support to get into a variety of sectors through programmes with guaranteed work experience, opportunities to build confidence and improve employment prospects, and to pursue self-employment. Read More...

Job Change

Job Change

Free service offering a variety of courses and training to help local people back into work or into better jobs, including CV support and skills assessments. Read More...