It’s National Care Leavers Month and we’re turning the spotlight onto super talented young people who have care experience and our fantastic colleagues who support them.
Bernicia has developed the Care Leavers Opportunity Pathway, an employment and skills programme designed to help care leavers develop the specific skills, confidence and experience they need to secure and sustain employment.
The programme led by our employability team (pictured) is tailored to each care leaver.
Our Bernicia Group Facebook and Linkedin feeds will host videos telling the stories of some of the talented young care leavers our employability experts are helping.
The team supports them through a journey of skills development, training, work experience and qualifications, with the aim of raising aspirations and building confidence as they move into employment—often for the first time.
Bernicia’s supportive organisational culture is reinforced by practical assistance that helps remove barriers.
This can include travel and lunch expenses, appropriate clothing, driving lessons and budget planning. Just as importantly, participants receive encouragement and consistent support to build self confidence that they can succeed.
Fourteen care leavers have worked with us this year on work experience, with ten progressing into fixed-term employment placements and then six young people going on to secure permanent roles.
