Finding Work and Preparing for Interviews

Support is offered in applying to college, job seeking / applications, C.V's and interviews. Further, we support care leavers in their educational pathway and provide advice and guidance with higher education e.g. UCAS application, personal statement, student finance, campus visits and assist our care leavers in the transition to University. For our young people attending University we offer financial support via our Leaving Care Team Discretionary Higher Education Bursary Scheme, currently this involves financing student accommodation, the provision of a laptop and assisting with travel, equipment, books etc.

Recently three of our care leavers have been successful in gaining apprenticeships within Sutton Council's Children in Care Council and we are keen for the Council to create more apprenticeship opportunities for our care leaver cohort.

We work closely with our local training and education providers and have good links with Prince's Trust, JACE training, Sutton and District Training, Crystal Palace Foundation as well as local colleges.

We have formed a good working relationship with Drive Forward [External Link] - an organisation working exclusively with care leavers to provide practical and emotional support, helping them develop key skills, confidence and motivation for work, education or training. They offer inspirational and engaging courses, workshops and recently an exhibition. Further they offer access to internships, apprenticeships and a wide network of corporate organisations and partner businesses to open up opportunities for care leavers. Visit the government page on apprenticeships [External Link]