Education, employment and training

We want you to succeed in education, training and employment (EET). There is lots of support available to help you.

Your personal advisor will be able to help you decide what route is the best for you. Find out more about a personal advisor.

Where to get help:

• we have specialist EET Practitioners within the Care Leaver Team that your PA can refer you to for support
• you can also access support from Leeds Employment Hub, the National Careers Service, your Job Coach or your school/college Careers Advisor
• we can help you to enrol onto programmes that give you support to become more confident about starting work and help you to overcome any barriers
• most colleges and universities have a special point of contact who can offer advice and support to care leavers

Help with money if you are in education

You can get financial help if you want to continue with your education.

Support with college

To qualify for help, you must be able to show you have good attendance and that you are doing your best to keep up with the work.

Government bursary

You might be able to get help with education related costs from the Government if you are:             

• aged 16 to 19
• in care or a leaving care

Find more information on the Government bursary for 16 to 19 year olds.             

You can also speak to your personal advisor.             

Top up payments

If you live independently and want to go to college you may be able to give you top up payments each week.             

These payments can be used for:             

• travel costs
• books
• clothing
• lunch at college

Speak to your personal advisor for more information.             

Help with buying equipment

If you need some equipment, such as a laptop, for your course, we can help you find the best way to get this.             

Speak to your personal advisor for more information.             

Support with university

If you would like to go to university we want to help you get there. Our support includes:

• paying towards university accommodation fees and living costs
• based on an assessment of need, we can help pay towards some travel expenses associated with being at university outside of Yorkshire
• Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) may be available to help with things such as equipment, travel costs and non-medical helpers, depending on circumstances and eligibility
• visits to campuses before you apply
• summer events to familiarise you with university life
• mentors to help you write your university application forms
• taking you and your possessions to your halls of residence and helping you settle in maintaining contact to support you
• help to find a mentor who can advise you regarding your post university career

The university may also offer bursaries and student finance can offer grants and loans.

Find out more about student finance.

Employment and training

If you decide you want to find a job or a training course, get information and guidance from the National Careers Service.

Improve your skills

You can get help with improving your existing skills including:

• writing your CV
• practice interviews
• how to sell yourself to an employer
• personal development

Find out how to improve your skills with Start with Leeds.

Help with money if you are working or in training

Your personal advisor will also be able to help you find the right financial support during your work or training.

We can find mentors to support you whilst you are working or in training.

Your personal advisor will also be able to help you find the right financial support during your work or training.

The Job Centre and some charities can cover the costs of starting a new job, such as travel costs, interview clothes, and equipment. 

All care experienced young people are eligible for a bursary if they are doing an apprenticeship for more than 60 days.