We are delighted to be the headline partner, for young people charity, EY Foundation’s, new programme – ‘Beyond Your Limits’. The programme aims to double the rate of care-experienced young people successfully moving into employment, education or training.
The programme has been co-designed with the input of over 80 care experienced young people and employers to ensure it responds to the specific needs of the young people who take part.
Chloe, a young person from Hounslow, one of the care experienced young people who helped co-design the programme, said:
“I think programmes are definitely important for people in care and leaving care. There is a big stigma around care leavers and young people, there are not many opportunities presented to us. When people believe in you, that has a really big impact.”
Care to Employment will have 5 key pillars of qualitative evaluation for the programme and we would expect all the young people to report an enhanced level of the following benchmarks post programme:
- Enhanced self-confidence and skills and qualities
- Better knowledge of careers and job application skills
- Improved self-awareness including larger personal and professional networks
- Stronger self and career ambition
- Financial literacy skills
Each cohort will be part of a 2-year programme with a pilot cohort of 10 young people in London Borough of Hounslow. Targeting 16-17 year olds in care who are in full / part time education, the programme will deliver a range of ‘guaranteed interventions’ including paid work experience and employability training amounting to 21 days of paid support and training. Linked to this, we will provide each participant with a business mentor and a ‘progression coach’ from EY Foundation who will conduct a strength and needs analysis and where needed refer or deliver ‘bespoke interventions’ such as conflict management or effective use of a career bursary.
"Action is urgently needed to ensure care experienced young people have the same opportunities to succeed as others in society. Beyond Your Limits will empower young people, develop their skills and introduce them to potential future employers. Working in partnership with the CareTech Foundation, we will unlock the potential of the young people we support."
"CareTech Foundation is very proud to have been part of Beyond Your Limits since its inception. CareTech plc staff and young people supported the programme development and we are thrilled to see it now launching in Hounslow with its first group of young people. The CareTech Foundation is committed to championing young people in care and we are excited to see this group, and many others thrive with the support offered."
