Care leavers
We have virtual college too!
Education, training and development
Education, training and development will be important in deciding what you want to do after you leave college. The Personal Occupation Progression Plan (POPP) has been designed by care leavers to help ensure you get all the help you need after you have left school. It has a clear focus on your career or occupation planning, taking into account your aspirations, skills and educational potential.
Careers advice
In addition to your personal advisor you will also receive support from Careers South West who provide independent and impartial information, advice and guidance about career and course options.
- They have qualified, professional advisers working in locations across Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, Devon and Somerset.
- Their advisors can help you find up-to-date information about careers, jobs, education courses, volunteering, training opportunities and other personal support so you can see all the options open to you.
Step Forward
Step Forward is an employability programme for care-leavers that will help you start to think about taking that step towards your future career and dream job. The programme is aimed at young people seeking to gain, develop and increase their skills, experience and qualifications.
Financial help
In order to support your education you should receive a 16-19 bursary of £1,200 a year if you are in full-time education. Your education provider (eg. school or college) will be able to arrange this for you.
If you are going onto higher education you will be eligible for a higher education, for example, university, bursary of £2000.
Your personal advisor will continue to support you until you are 25 if you remain in education or training.
Useful links and organisations
The Inspire Me! app has been developed by care leavers, for care leavers. It enables former care leavers who are now living independently and learning or working, to share their positive stories. Users can upload their own stories and build up a bank of their favourites for future reference and inspiration. The app is available for free download on all devices from the app store and iTunes or you can find out more about it at www.learningandwork.org.uk.
