Decision - Employability for Young People in Care and Care Leavers

28.1         The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services in relation to the Employability for Young People in Care and Care Leavers. The report outlined the positive actions to develop employment opportunities as detailed in the Corporate Parenting Strategy. Employability related to a wide range of opportunities that the Council and its partners can offer young people and include apprenticeships, work experience, taster days and work placements. The strategy assisted young people action to improve employability and included: advocating and providing work experience, work placements and employment opportunities within the Council and its partners, and promoting the needs of care leavers for work experience, training and job opportunities with employers and employer organisations in the city.

28.2         It was highlighted that there would be apprenticeships fair in February. Officers in Children’s Service would have two weeks notice before job adverts went out publicly to give support to children in care and care leavers whom wished to apply; the job opportunities would still have to offer publically to meet equality and employment laws.

28.3         It was noted that the Council should have a crucial role in not only signposting young people, but also providing opportunities. Officers explained that schools also had a statutory duty to offer careers advice, and care leavers were entitled to pathway plans.

28.4         Councillor Gilbey noted that this process should begin before aged 16, and Officers said that work experience at an earlier age was important. Councillor Shanks added that it was also important foster carers had access to the necessary information.

28.5         The Sub-Committee agreed to forward the report to the Policy & Resources Committee for further discussion, and to consider how such opportunities could be provided across the Council. Officers added that the commitment to provide opportunities needed to be much more explicit.

28.6         RESOLVED –

      i.               That Sub-Committee monitor the development of bespoke packages leading to sustainable employment for each young person in care, based on an assessment of their interests, aspirations and abilities.  This will assist Childrens Services in improving outcomes and reducing NEET (Not Engaged in Education, Employment or Training) for these young people.

    ii.               That Sub-Committee secure a commitment across the local authority, and with other partner agencies wherever possible, to support packages of work placements, work experience, apprenticeships, full and part-time employment and training for young people in care and care leavers. 

  iii.               That these employability opportunities form the basis of Brighton & Hove City Council policy and procedure to assist our young people leaving care to achieve economic well being.

  iv.               That the report be forwarded to the Policy & Resources Committee to discuss how such opportunities can be provided corporately.