Finding education, employment and training

Use this page to learn about the support that we offer care-experienced young people regarding education, employment or training after leaving care. 

Sometimes it can be hard to know what education, employment or training (ETT) you would like to do. We will help you think about your EET journey: Your interests, goals and aspirations. 

You can contact the EET mentor within The Care Experienced Team by email at Aniko_Heredi@bathnes.gov.uk

Choose a topic from the list below to discover your options 

College

College is a further education option. You can also return to education through college too. If you are an Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young Person then you will be encouraged to access ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses, as well as other opportunities that are of interest and benefit to you.

What we will offer you

We will support you to attend and settle into college. If you are aged between 16 and 19 you may be entitled to a bursary (of up to £1,200 – depending on circumstances and benefits). The bursary is to cover things like cost for books, equipment, or travel.

University

This is a higher education option. If you are planning to go to university, we can support you to search for, and apply to, a university and course that is right for you. We can also go to open days with you if you like. We will require you to confirm enrolment to complete the university payment process.

What we will offer you

We will support you to move to university. During term breaks, we will support you with accommodation. We can also provide support and transport to and from university at the start and end of terms. 

You are entitled to a £2,000 bursary per academic year for a full-time 3-year degree course or £1,000 per academic year for a part-time degree course. You are entitled to apply for tuition and maintenance loans through Student Finance.

Upon completion of your university course, we will pay for your graduation gown hire and photos.

Traineeships

Traineeships are a work-based education and training programme with work experience for young people who want to then move into an apprenticeship or job but need additional skills and experience to make that next step.

What we will offer you

We can liaise with an employer or traineeship provider to ensure you are supported in the best way.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are an excellent option which we would encourage our care-experienced young people to consider. Within the council we also provide apprenticeships, and we are a ‘Care Leaver Friendly Employer’. 

What we will offer you

We will support you to apply for an apprenticeship (if you apply for a council position and meet the essential criteria, as a care leaver you are guaranteed an interview). We can fund transport for the first month if required. We can fund work clothes when you start an apprenticeship if needed. We will support you to apply for an apprenticeship bursary if eligible. 

Work Experience

Work experience can offer a ‘taster’ of a particular work sector or setting, from one day to several weeks.

Similarly, volunteering is a great way to develop additional skills and knowledge about a sector.

What we will offer you

We can provide support identifying work experience opportunities in an area of interest. We also have work experience opportunities across BANES, and we can discuss this with you (for example, with our Heritage and Libraries services).

Mentorship

The role of a mentor is to be a role model to others, be a reliable and friendly person in someone’s life, build a positive relationship to support ambitions and aspirations.

What we will offer you

We are committed to matching mentors (from within BANES) with our care-experienced young people.

Additional information and support

Education, Employment and Training (EET) 

We have an EET mentor who works within our team, they provide direct 1-2-1 support to help you achieve your goals. Our EET Mentor (as well as your PA) can support with CV development work and interview practice, as well as link you up with opportunities that may suit your interests.

REBOOT III project 

We work in partnership with the REBOOT III project – where long-term employment and wellbeing support is provided to care-experienced young people.

Department for Work and Pensions: The Job Centre

If needed, we can liaise with and support you to work with your DWP (Department for Work and Pensions: The Job Centre) Job Coach and look at any other support the DWP offers. 

Care Leavers Covenant

We are a signatory of the Care Leavers Covenant – and encourage all our care-experienced young people to benefit from their national offer (via Care Leaver Covenant Connect App).

Special educational needs or a disability (SEND)

If you have special educational needs or a disability (SEND), we can liaise with the SEND team and other support agencies to ensure you have opportunities to succeed and reach your goals. 

Education, health and care plan (EHCP)

If you have an EHCP it can remain until you are 25 and should be reviewed regularly, unless you go to university.