The Alliance for Looked After Children & Care Leavers has launched National Care Leavers Week. From 28th October to 3rd November 2024, experienced individuals from across the country will be working together to share ideas, collaborate, and coordinate some planned activities throughout the week.
Why does #NCLW exist?
National Care Leavers’ Week exists for the public, professionals, carers, decision-makers and the media to come together to CARE
Celebrate: care leavers/care experienced individuals.
Amplify: their voices.
Raise: awareness of challenges
Encourage: change in policy and practice. Theme for #NCLW:
This year’s theme is “All of Us, We are One” the theme was chosen by a group of care experienced individuals.
“I picked “All of Us, We are One” as when I am with other care leavers I really do feel the most understood. I really do feel like we are one.” (Care Experienced Individual)
The theme highlights the value of creating connections. Help us to build a stronger community with care-experienced individuals.
Throughout the week we will promote the theme’s importance and provide information advice and guidance for care leavers.
Support for apprentices
To support care leavers on an apprenticeship, a £3,000 bursary is available to eligible care leavers. The bursary is paid in instalments once they have completed 60 days of their apprenticeship.
There are also grants available to employers.
Employers can get £1,000 to support their apprentice in the workplace if, at the start of their apprenticeship training, they are one of the following:
- 16 to 18 years old (or 15 years old if the apprentice’s 16th birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31 August)
- 19 to 24 years old with an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- 19 to 24 years old and have been in care
Employers can spend it on any costs related to their employment, for example their salary, travel costs or uniform.
Additional support for care leavers
There are lots of support groups and initiatives available to care leavers. Follow the links below for more information.
Free Travel on buses, trains and ferries for Care Leavers across Liverpool City Region
National Youth Advocacy Service NYAS
Each local authority has legal responsibilities to care leavers, including publishing their Care Leaver Local Offer on their websites. You will also find links to local support organisations on our support page.
You can find links to each local authority offer, and their plans for National Care Leaver Week below:
If you are a learner at Mode, who is a care leaver and require addtional support please speak to your tutor or one of the safeguarding team.
