Last month, BBC Three launched a new programme. ‘Kicked Out: From Care to Chaos’ follows care leaver Rebecca Southworth as she revisits her history in social care and asks why so many looked after children are insufficiently equipped to deal with adult life. The programme is a shocking watch, to say the least. But it also raises questions about what we can do to support care leavers on the road to independence.
Every year, around 10,000 young people leave foster or residential care, a third of these leaving before their 18th birthday. Organisations like the Prince’s Trust do incredible work guiding young care leavers into education and employment. Their free Fairbridge Programme offers one-to-one guidance to care leavers, as well as training courses on subjects from parenting skills to managing addiction. But given the vast numbers of new care leavers every year, more can always be done to help.
Every year, around 10,000 young people leave foster or residential care, a third of these leaving before their 18th birthday. Organisations like the Prince’s Trust do incredible work guiding young care leavers into education and employment. Their free Fairbridge Programme offers one-to-one guidance to care leavers, as well as training courses on subjects from parenting skills to managing addiction. But given the vast numbers of new care leavers every year, more can always be done to help.
That is why we've launched a new app for care leavers, written by a young person who has experienced these challenges firsthand. Foundations has been co-authored by a former care leaver and the head of a virtual school. With sections on everything from employment to accommodation, it is intended as a one stop shop for care-experienced young people across the UK.
The app also contains a host of useful links to other resources and services, all in one place. As well as tips on budgeting and a list of important contacts for care leavers, it offers more general advice on writing a CV, applying for student finance and finding a home. We hope it proves to be an invaluable guide for care leavers nationwide and a help to other young people taking their first steps into adult life.
Foundations is available as part of our Care Leavers Library, designed to enhance the education, employability and personal development of young people leaving care. Also included is Creative Voices, an app showcasing the creative talents of looked after children and care leavers.
Foundations is also available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.
To find out more, visit www.pearson.co.uk/care-leavers or email info@pearson.co.uk. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @PearsonPublish!
The app also contains a host of useful links to other resources and services, all in one place. As well as tips on budgeting and a list of important contacts for care leavers, it offers more general advice on writing a CV, applying for student finance and finding a home. We hope it proves to be an invaluable guide for care leavers nationwide and a help to other young people taking their first steps into adult life.
Foundations is available as part of our Care Leavers Library, designed to enhance the education, employability and personal development of young people leaving care. Also included is Creative Voices, an app showcasing the creative talents of looked after children and care leavers.
Foundations is also available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.
To find out more, visit www.pearson.co.uk/care-leavers or email info@pearson.co.uk. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @PearsonPublish!
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