Your education and training as a care leaver

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We help you find the right education, training or work.

Planning your future

Your pathway plan says what you want to do next, like college, university or an apprenticeship. You can talk about your plans with your personal adviser (PA).

Your Personal Education Plan (PEP) can carry on after you turn 18 if you want.

Page contents

• Thinking about education
• Post-16 education and training options
  • Apprenticeships
• Additional support and mentors
• Going to university
• Surrey Adult Learning
• Financial support

Thinking about education

If you want your PA to help you find education, just ask. Before you meet, think about:

• Do you have a career in mind?
• What subjects have you studied?
• What do you enjoy?
• Have you had a careers appointment?

You can find lots of information online about college, university and apprenticeships. Your PA can help you fill in forms and get ready for interviews.

Most college courses start in September, but some start in January. Ask colleges to find out.

Choices after 16

You must stay in education or training until you are 18. You can choose:

• full-time education at school or college
• an apprenticeship or traineeship
• part-time education or training while working or volunteering 20+ hours a week

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn. You get paid, learn new skills and get a qualification. There are lots of types, from GCSE level to degree level.

Surrey County Council has apprenticeships for care leavers. Ask your social worker or PA for details.

Anyone over 16 can do an apprenticeship if you can work in the UK and are not in full-time education. There is no upper age limit.

All apprenticeships last at least 1 year. Most take 1 to 4 years.

If you are under 25 and have been in care, you can get a £3,000 bursary when you start. Your PA will help you apply. You do not have to pay this money back.

We work with other teams to help you find the best apprenticeship for you.

Find apprenticeships

Find an apprenticeship

Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme

This scheme gives care leavers a chance to do a 12-month paid internship in a central Government department or agency. You may be able to stay in the job after the 12 months and make it permanent

Find out more at  Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme.

Highway Alliance

We run open days for young people who want apprenticeships or jobs in building and roadwork.

You can learn about apprenticeships and jobs.

Organisations in the Highway Alliance

Ringway, Milestone Infrastructure, AtkinsRealis and Yunex Traffic.

At these events you can:

• meet people who hire for jobs like engineering, highways, streetlighting, electrical work, project management and more
• find out what these jobs are like
• learn about pay and how to apply
• get help with applications

Ask your PA about next open day current opportunities.

Extra support and mentors

Career Matters

Career Matters offers online career advice, training and job opportunities. Some young people get a mentor.

Grandmentors

Grandmentors matches care leavers with older volunteers who can help you:

• build confidence
• set goals for education, training or work
• learn practical skills for living on your own
• get advice and support

Mentors meet you once a month and can talk by phone or video call.

Watch a short video from a young person who got support through Grandmentors .

Find out more about Grandmentors

Ask your PA if you want to join.

Goal 17

Goal 17 has volunteer mentors from your local area. They want to help you.

Mentors can help you:

• set goals for life and work
• build confidence
• find education, training or jobs
• learn life skills for independent living

There is no paperwork. You get friendly help and advice.

You and your mentor choose how to keep in touch. You can:

• have video calls
• send messages
• meet in person

Most mentoring lasts for 1 year with at least one chat each month.

Find out more about Goal 17

Speak to your PA if you're interested.

Going to university

Visit Choose your future UCAS for courses, money help and advice. Your PA can help with applications and open days.

Some universities give extra help or scholarships for care leavers. Check their websites.

Propel lists support from colleges and universities:

Propel yourself into higher education - Become

The Unite Foundation offers free accommodation for care leavers at university.

Surrey Adult Learning

Surrey Adult Learning has courses to help you learn new skills and feel better. There are centres across Surrey and online options.

Financial support

You may get help with money if you are in education or training. How much depends on your age and situation.

Most students in higher education cannot claim benefits, but some may get extra help (for example, lone parents or those with a disability). Ask your PA if you think you qualify.

Translations

Files available to download

• Higher Education Support Package and Reference Guide for Surrey Care Leavers (PDF)
  A guide on financial support, bursaries, accommodation and support from our leaving care service for when entering higher education or university.