Employers can play an important role in helping care-experienced apprentices access financial support and succeed in the workplace.
Did you know?
Apprentices who have previously been in local authority care may be eligible for a £3,000 Care Leaver Bursary, and employers can help ensure they know how to access it.
The bursary is paid directly to the apprentice and can help with costs such as travel, equipment, accommodation, food, or other expenses while they complete their apprenticeship.
Eligible apprentices may miss out on this support because they do not know it is available. Employers and training providers can help by raising awareness and guiding apprentices towards the appropriate support.
What do employers need to do?
It’s simple:
- Consider recruiting care-experienced young people into apprenticeship roles.
- Sign the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter to demonstrate your commitment to supporting care-experienced young people.
- Tell your training provider if an apprentice identifies themselves as a care leaver, so the provider can explain the support that may be available.
- Encourage eligible apprentices to ask about the £3,000 bursary.
- Work with your training provider to ensure the apprentice receives the support available.
Why it matters
By supporting care leaver apprentices, businesses can:
- Access a wider talent pool.
- Provide life-changing career opportunities.
- Support social mobility within the local community.
- Strengthen diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
- Help young people build sustainable careers.
Useful resources for employers
- Employer Guide to Recruiting and Supporting Care-Experienced Apprentices
- Financial Support for Employing Young People
Need Support?
The Cheshire & Warrington LSIP can help employers understand apprenticeship funding, incentives and available support, and connect them with relevant guidance when recruiting apprentices.
Contact the Cheshire & Warrington LSIP team to discuss the support available for recruiting and supporting apprentices.
