Liberal Democrats in Redcar today received support from the council for their call for more apprenticeships for care leavers.

Lib Dem Councillor Karen King, from Marske, submitted the motion to Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council today. It received cross-party support.

Research carried out last year shows that only 3% of care leavers aged 19-21 were on apprenticeships. This compares with 24% of young people generally. Lib Dems believe this is simply not good enough.

Cllr Karen King said:

“The recent Ofsted inspection stated that excellent practice is evident within the leaving care team, something I have witnessed myself.

“There were however several comments with regards to apprenticeships for care leavers such as:
• “the local authority has not developed opportunities for care leavers to access its apprenticeship scheme.”
• “the council needs to increase the opportunities for care leavers to secure places on the local authority’s apprenticeship scheme.”
• “there should be more help to support care leavers on the council’s own apprenticeship scheme.”
• “the use of council apprenticeships for care leavers is not routinely embedded.”

Redcar Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Josh Mason added:

“I am pleased that the council has agreed to take this seriously.

“Our looked after children rarely start from the same level playing field as their peers. Often they have moved schools, homes and even areas. They have often had disruption to their education due to family or placement breakdowns. Many overcome these hurdles and achieve great things if given the right support and education for them to do so.”
Full text of motion:

MOVED by Councillor King and duly seconded by Councillor Mason that:
This Council notes that research by the Children’s Commissioner for England last year, showed that just three per cent of care leavers aged between 19 and 21 were on apprenticeships in 2015, compared with 24 per cent of young people generally, and that of young people not at university the chance of obtaining an apprenticeship is eight times more likely for those who have not been in care. The Council further notes the work of a regional group, which is currently being undertaken with a mandate from Leaders and Chief Executives of the North East Councils to develop a consistent regional offer for care leavers, including apprenticeships where appropriate.
The Council commits to the principles of this work and to giving full consideration of the findings of the group via the Corporate Parenting Board, with a view, in particular, to agreeing actions which will ensure the availability of appropriate apprenticeships for care leavers wherever possible.