Innovative approaches to working with vulnerable young people - Creating Bright Futures: remodeling a work experience programme to improve education and employment horizons for children in care.

TY - CONF

T1 - Innovative approaches to working with vulnerable young people - Creating Bright Futures:

T2 - European Scientific Association on Residential & Family Care for Children and Adolescents (EuSARF) Conference

AU - Dixon, Jo

AU - Ward, Jade

PY - 2021/9/1

Y1 - 2021/9/1

N2 - This paper presents a work experience and skills development programme that was adapted for children in care in one local authority. It highlights the innovative elements of the programme, the benefits for care-experienced participants and the impetus and advantages for employers who provided the work-related opportunities. MethodsData gathered from 51 stakeholders participating in Bright Futures included children in care (33), foster carers (5), employers (8), and staff from Children’s Services and York Cares (5) via interviews, surveys and programme monitoring records. Participatory methods were used to engage children and Bright Futures staff in developing the evaluation questions. One care-experienced young person undertook a work placement with the evaluation team.FindingsBy beginning the intervention sooner with children in care, the remodeled programme offered space to shape children’s understanding of the career options open to them and raise aspirations. Opportunities to develop work-related experiences and skills offered children scope to build confidence in their abilities, inspire them to formulate and pursue career goals, and encourage the education engagement needed to achieve their goals, thereby building a firmer foundation for post-care EET journeys.The range of opportunities was valued by children, most of whom undertook more than one. Further effort, however, was needed to reach dis-engaged children and those with high needs. Employers reported benefiting from providing opportunities, including a greater understanding of the needs and strengths of the care population. Reasons for providing opportunities included altruism ‘to give back to vulnerable groups’ and meeting their corporate social responsibility. Crucially, the programme for children in care was considered an investment in the future local workforce.

AB - This paper presents a work experience and skills development programme that was adapted for children in care in one local authority. It highlights the innovative elements of the programme, the benefits for care-experienced participants and the impetus and advantages for employers who provided the work-related opportunities. MethodsData gathered from 51 stakeholders participating in Bright Futures included children in care (33), foster carers (5), employers (8), and staff from Children’s Services and York Cares (5) via interviews, surveys and programme monitoring records. Participatory methods were used to engage children and Bright Futures staff in developing the evaluation questions. One care-experienced young person undertook a work placement with the evaluation team.FindingsBy beginning the intervention sooner with children in care, the remodeled programme offered space to shape children’s understanding of the career options open to them and raise aspirations. Opportunities to develop work-related experiences and skills offered children scope to build confidence in their abilities, inspire them to formulate and pursue career goals, and encourage the education engagement needed to achieve their goals, thereby building a firmer foundation for post-care EET journeys.The range of opportunities was valued by children, most of whom undertook more than one. Further effort, however, was needed to reach dis-engaged children and those with high needs. Employers reported benefiting from providing opportunities, including a greater understanding of the needs and strengths of the care population. Reasons for providing opportunities included altruism ‘to give back to vulnerable groups’ and meeting their corporate social responsibility. Crucially, the programme for children in care was considered an investment in the future local workforce.

KW - children in care

KW - education of looked after children

KW - employment preparation programmes

KW - co-production

M3 - Paper

Y2 - 1 September 2021 through 3 September 2021

ER -