The Labour Group in Sunderland has tabled a motion calling for greater support for young people in care.
Cllr Michael Butler, who holds the portfolio for children’s services, child poverty and skills, is calling on Sunderland organisations and agencies, including Sunderland City Council, the NHS, and the wider business community, to put in place measures that make it easier for young people in care in the city to pursue apprenticeships and further education.
In Sunderland, only 40% of care experienced young people aged 19-21 are in education or employment, compared to 51% nationally. The proportion of care experienced young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) is significantly higher than the general population. The motion, which will be heard at the next full council meeting on November 13, seeks to remove barriers for young people in care, by working with partner organisations across the city to ensure they put in place best-practice measures that make apprenticeships a viable option for young people in the care system.
Cllr Butler, who also represents residents of Southwick Ward, said: “We know that apprenticeships can represent a brilliant route into higher value employment for young people, helping them earn while they learn and gain skills for life. We want to close the gap for people in care and ensure they have the same opportunities as other young people in this city.
“We know that many young people in care currently feel they are unable to continue with education and we have to do more to remove those barriers and ensure every young person – whatever their background – can thrive in this city.”
Care experienced young people often require additional support to start and sustain their apprenticeships and many need targeted support to overcome these challenges. In its motion, Labour sets out aims to encourage corporate organisations, including the council and other major city institutions to explore measures including:
- Recognising the value in supporting care experienced young people to strive to achieve their goals, and the importance of offering opportunities to help them thrive
- Addressing the challenges for those who are care experienced applying for an apprenticeship
- Providing financial support via bursary and discretionary payments system
- Providing housing support via a dedicated housing advice worker
- Providing mentoring, ensuring they receive guidance and assistance throughout their apprenticeship journey
- Monitoring the success of the apprenticeship programme to adapt/develop further where needed
- Developing stronger partnerships with local employers and educational institutions to expand apprenticeship opportunities
- Treating being care experienced as a Protected Characteristic in all decision making (until national legislation is introduced)
- Recruiting care experienced young people into employment within the organisation.
These are all measures that have been developed and adopted by Together for Children successfully and – should the motion pass – work will begin on ensuring more organisations in the city do their bit.
Cllr Butler added: “This is an important motion and one that could give so much opportunity to young people who only require a little bit of extra help, but possess so much potential.”