Improving Employment Outcomes for Care Leavers Chris Melvin – Chief Executive, Reed in Partnership Hanna Lewis – Communications Executive, Reed in Partnership

About Reed in Partnership Prime Provider of the Work Programme in West London 13 years experience of welfare-to-work, skills and business support Global Operations with contracts in Australia and Poland and market development programmes in France and Germany Our approach has helped over 115,000 customers move from benefits into work – 35,000 of these were under 25

Children & Young People in Care There were 64,400 children and young people in care in England last year, a 6% rise from 2009 Why? 61% - Abuse and / or neglect 12% - Family dysfunction 9% - Family in acute stress Who? 76% White, 8% Mixed, 7% Black/Black British 56% Male, 44% Female 21% Over 16 years old

Statistics of Achievement Only 12% of children in care achieved 5 or more GCSEs including English and mathematics at grades A* to C compared to 53% of all children. 33% of looked after children are NEET In March 2010 the proportion of care leavers in employment, education or training ranges from 34% to 87% across local authorities Statistics from Department for Education (2010)

Why are care leavers disadvantaged? Numeracy and literacy skills Employability skills Homelessness Drugs and Alcohol Teenage Parenthood Custody Health Knowledge of the benefits system Lack of investment and aspiration Wage Scars Stigma/confidence

What has been done? Legislation The Children (Leaving Care) Act, 2000 Children and Young Persons Act, 2008 Policy Right2BCared4 From Care2Work Care Matters

Moving Forward: General Approach Partnership working Utilise the expertise of the voluntary sector Must complement existing LA provision Earlier intervention Increasing employability skills More assessment and less prescription

Key Challenges Postcode Lottery Benefits System Need for joined-up government Lack of work experience Integrated and long term support Professional employment and skills support

Moving Forward: The Work Programme How could the Work Programme help? Sustainable employment Avoid significant initial spend from government Professional Employment & Skills Advisers Access to job vacancies Flexible and personalised support

Earlier Intervention Model Customer TypeFrequency Age of 15 +As required by YP 6 months before leaving education Initial interview with expectation of at least quarterly meetings YP in full time education/training At least quarterly meetings Young Person NEETAt least monthly meetings Young Person on benefitsAt least fortnightly meetings Young Person in employmentAt least quarterly meetings

Core Recommendations The Work Programme to open up to looked after children aged 15+ Professional and dedicated employment and skills support Local authorities to increase the no. of positive role models available to young people Improve access to work experience Government to ensure looked after children are better off after welfare reforms

Contact Details Hanna Lewis Communications Executive Tel: Fax: or visit us at Stand Number 35 in the exhibition hall