Care Experienced Young People
How to support care experienced young people through meaningful work experience and employer engagement.
"Care experienced" refers to anyone who has spent time in the care of their local authority. This is the preferred term as it acknowledges care as part of someone's experience, not their defining characteristic.
Types of care
Foster care
Living with approved foster carers in a family setting
Residential care
Living in a children's home with staff support
Kinship care
Living with relatives or family friends
Supported living
Semi-independent accommodation for older teens
Key terms
Looked After Child (LAC)
The legal term for a child currently in care. "Children in care" or "care experienced" are often preferred.
Care leaver
Someone who was in care and has now left, typically at 18. They remain entitled to support until age 25.
Personal Advisor (PA)
A worker assigned to support care leavers with education, employment, and independent living.
Virtual School
A local authority team that oversees the education of looked after children. A key contact for employers.
Care experienced young people often lack the professional networks and workplace exposure that many take for granted. Your involvement can make a significant difference.
- 39% of care leavers aged 19-21 are NEET (vs 12% of all young people)
- Only 6% go to university (vs ~40% of all young people)
- Care leavers are overrepresented in unemployment, homelessness, and the criminal justice system
- Many lack family connections that help others into work
- Exposure to careers they might not know exist
- Adult role models outside the care system
- Professional networks they don't have access to
- Real workplace experience for their CV
- Belief in their potential from employers
Every interaction counts
Research shows that positive interactions with employers can significantly raise aspirations and improve outcomes. For someone who may have experienced instability and rejection, a supportive employer encounter can be transformational.
Understanding common challenges helps you provide better support. Remember: every person's experience is different.
Disrupted education
Multiple school moves can mean gaps in learning and qualifications that don't reflect ability.
Limited networks
Without family connections, they miss out on the informal routes into work many rely on.
Housing instability
Care leavers often face housing challenges that can affect employment stability.
Financial pressures
Many become financially independent at 18 without the safety net most families provide.
Mental health
Childhood trauma can affect confidence, relationships, and ability to cope with stress.
Trust issues
Previous experiences may make it harder to trust adults or authority figures.
Small adjustments can make a big difference without requiring special programmes.
Flexibility
- Be flexible with timing — they may have appointments with social workers
- Give advance notice of schedules and changes
- Understand that last-minute issues may arise
Remove barriers
- Cover travel costs — they may not have money upfront
- Provide lunch or food allowance
- Don't require specific clothing they may not have
Consistent contact
- Assign one named person as their main contact
- Keep communication clear and reliable
- Follow through on commitments
Extra support
- More detailed induction and orientation
- Regular check-ins to see how they're doing
- Be patient — don't assume knowledge of workplace norms
Being thoughtful about language and assumptions helps create a welcoming environment.
- "Care experienced" (acknowledges it's part of their experience)
- "Young person who has been in care"
- "Care leaver" (for those who have left care)
- Ask what language they prefer
- "Kids in care" (too informal)
- "Looked after children" (unless formal context)
- "Foster kids" or "orphans" (inaccurate/outdated)
- "Real parents" (use "birth parents" or "family")
Being sensitive
Family assumptions
Avoid assuming everyone has supportive parents. Questions like "What do your parents do?" may be uncomfortable. Use "Do you have any family or friends who work in...?" instead.
Holidays and events
Be mindful that family-focused events (Christmas, Mother's Day) can be difficult. Don't assume everyone has happy childhood memories to share.
Personal questions
Don't ask about their care experience unless they bring it up. It's private. Focus on their skills, interests, and future goals.
Avoid pity
Treat them as capable individuals, not as objects of sympathy. Focus on their potential, not their background.
Schools and local authorities have dedicated staff who support care experienced young people.
Every school has a Designated Teacher for looked after children. They:
- Oversee the education of LAC students
- Can identify students who might benefit from opportunities
- Help prepare students for work experience
- Provide background information (with consent)
Every local authority has a Virtual School that:
- Monitors education of all LAC in the area
- Provides training and resources
- May have dedicated careers advisors
- Can connect you with care experienced young people
Making contact
- Contact your local Virtual School directly if you want to offer opportunities specifically for care experienced young people
- Ask schools' careers leads or Designated Teachers when offering work experience
- Local authorities often have care leaver employment programmes — ask how you can support
You can use SparkWay's eligibility criteria to prioritise care experienced young people for your opportunities.
How it works
- When creating an opportunity, select "Care experienced" in the eligibility criteria
- Schools will see this is a ring-fenced opportunity
- They confirm their students meet the criteria when booking
- Places go to care experienced students first
Guaranteed interviews
Some employers offer guaranteed interviews to care leavers who meet minimum criteria. This can be a powerful way to support entry into your industry.
Dedicated work experience
Consider offering work experience placements specifically for care experienced young people, with the extra support built in.
Care Leaver Covenant
The Care Leaver Covenant is a national initiative where organisations commit to supporting care leavers. Signing up demonstrates your commitment and connects you with resources and networks.
Learn about the Care Leaver Covenant