Rotherham Leaving Care Local Offer

Leaving Care EET Offer

We understand that each young person has lots of potential and we want to make sure you have lots of opportunities to reach this potential.

We appreciate and know it takes time, effort and support to help you to find what you want and what you need, we will help you find what you are good at and then support you to the best of our ability in removing any obstacles that you may face, so you can get to where you want to be in the future.

With this in mind we have a range of things we can do for you to keep you focussed and on track.

People who will help you.

We have many people that can support, advice and give guidance to you to work towards your success including one to one support in achieving your learning goals.

The team from the Virtual School will keep an eye on your progress through your PEP meetings. They have access to money and people to provide extra support if you are struggling or just need some extra tuition to support you getting the grades we know you can get.

Our Early Help Learning Advisor can give also you advice and guidance about Education, Employment and Training for post 16 choices.

Options

There a lots of opportunities locally offering lots of courses and ideas for your future. Come into “The Journey” and the team can help you find an option that is right for you. Some of these options are:

Our team working together can help you explore your options, some of which are;

Education

Further Education Colleges, 6th Form Provision or University and Higher Education Colleges

Links required for all local education providers

Links for UCAS

Links for Student Finance

Training

Study Programme providers - how to access them and decide which programme is right for you to move forward in your learning

Traineeships

You’re not job or apprenticeship ready – you could be placed with an employer to gain employment knowledge, experience and skills.

Apprenticeships

Young people can search and apply for vacancies on the National apprenticeship Website: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk You can also look for local vacancies on: www.youthi.org.uk

Other Programmes

Princes Trust, Sheffield:

Princes Trust can deliver ‘Team’ – a 12 week personal development course, offering work experience, practical skills, community projects and a residential with a reference on completion.

Further information: https://www.princes-trust.org.uk

Self-Employment Options

Do you have a business idea? We can also get business support for you and help you get a business plan together and source funding and potential grants to help you kick start the business.

Work Experience

The Council has a work experience offer that if you don’t know or are unsure what you want to do or have an idea we might be able to find you up to 4 weeks work experience in the council to see if it is an area you would want to pursue.

This 4 weeks or 28 days can be split up and can be completed at a pace that’s right for you. This can also help you understand some of the rules and expectations about being at work.

We also have local businesses that are willing to offer work experience and placements to you. These opportunities can be in for example:

• Plastering
• Building/Construction
• Joinery/Plumbing
• Adult Residential Care
• Supporting adults with sensory impairments
• Supporting adults with Learning Difficulties
• Working in catering
• Gardening and landscaping

If you have an interest in any other area let us know and we will see what we can find out.

These offers have come from business across Rotherham and Barnsley and could lead to employment in the future for the right person.

Mentors

In addition to this we also have Mentors within the council who can be a listening ear for you to help you learn what you like doing. A mentor is someone who can listen and ask you questions about your future. A mentor is someone who isn’t a social worker or a personal advisor. They are impartial, experienced and have been very successful in their chosen careers. If you would like a mentor let us know.

If you have additional needs, we have strong links to our Education Health and Care Plan team so if you do have additional needs then we will do what we can to maintain your Education, Health, Care Plan to make you keep the support you need in place as you make the transition from provider to provider.

But what happens if you are not engaging in learning, work or training?

We know that we need to get you involved and engaged in some kind of purposeful activity as without it, when you are 18, the Job Centre will expect you participate on their many programmes to get you into work.

We would prefer you to be prepared for this by taking all the support we can offer you.

Remember if you choose not to participate in these programmes or expectations the Job Centre may choose to sanction you. This means you will be without some or all of your benefit.

We will support you wherever possible but we all need to work together to get you into work or training or education. If these options are not right for you we will help you get the evidence you need which will show the DWP you aren’t ready.

Getting a job

For young people who are leaving care and who are looking for employment we will try and prepare you for the world of world.

We can offer support in the following areas as well as support you in looking for job vacancies and opportunities and talk to employers to look at particular roles that you may be interested in.

• We can offer you advice and guidance on Employability Skills
• Knowing your rights and responsibilities within the work place
• Local job vacancies and apprenticeship details
• CV preparation and interview techniques
• Phone and Internet Applications
• Referrals to organisations that will help you gain a CSCS card or Fork lift licence
• Additional support where it is required and applicable to stay within employment
• First 4 weeks of Travel costs paid for first employment
• Support with costs of work related clothing for first job
• Support with achieving Driving Licence when they find paid work or apprenticeship
• Get some Business Advice and information on self-employment

Come into the Journey and find out what we can do for you or contact one of our team for further information on 01709 822673