Wiltshire Council Care Leaver Promise

Building Bridges

The Building Bridges program supports young people into education or work. Applications to Building  Bridges can be made via your PAs. A mentor will be appointed, and they will work with you to help you develop your confidence, skill, and expertise for as long as you like and until you feel secure in education or employment.

Website: www.buildingbridgessw.org.uk (opens new window)

Email address: hello@buildingbridgessw.org.uk (opens new window)

Grandmentors

Work with young people from the ages of 16-24. These are volunteers aged over 50 who have lots of life experience and will work with you on the things which you think are most important. That could be finding a job, making friends, or getting fit; anything really.

Each volunteer supports a young person for a minimum of six months, working towards agreed personal goals. Your PA will be able to put you in touch with the Grandmentors coordinator.

Website: www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk/project/grandmentors/ (opens new window)

Favourable access to council apprenticeships

We have a guaranteed interview scheme for care leavers to all council apprenticeships where you meet the eligibility criteria. This means if you apply you are guaranteed an interview.

Visit Work Wiltshire: Connecting you to employment and skills (opens new window) for more information on apprenticeships.

Work experience

We can offer you work placements in every council department. So, if you are interested in a career in accountancy, gardening, maintenance, driving (the list goes on) speak to your PA and they can arrange something for you through the local Employment and Skills Officer.

Careers Advice

We will provide you with careers information and advice, such as help to develop your CV, mock interviews, and advice, including what you might  wear to interview.

Visit Work Wiltshire: Young Work Wiltshire (opens new window) for more information on apprenticeships.

FE Bursary

Care leavers are a priority group for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund administered by FE colleges, which pays a bursary of up to £1,200 a year to support vulnerable young people to participate in education. Your PA and the Virtual School Officer will help you to claim this.

Visit GOV.UK: Guidance 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide 2021 to 2022 academic year (opens new window) for more information on apprenticeships.

Transport costs

We can help to meet your transport costs when travelling to training, school/ college, apprenticeships, or job interviews and to see important people in your life.

Equipment

We will also support you to buy tools, equipment, essential clothing, and books.

University

Support if you choose to go to university, such as helping you obtain tuition fees and student loans, travel costs at the start and end of term, and making sure you have somewhere to live during the holidays. We will help you choose the right course and university that matches your talents and interests.

Driving Lessons

We will pay a contribution towards driving lessons, up to 10 hours.

Benefits

Just before your 18^th birthday you can get assistance from your PA and local Job Centre to make a claim for benefits.

They will help you have everything in place so you are paid promptly soon after you turn 18 and between them will support you to get a job or an apprenticeship or return to education.