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Care Leavers

Justina Nothard
May 27
2 min read

Expanding Homewood Training's Specialist Programs: Understanding Barriers and Solutions

Homewood Training's commitment to delivering real employment outcomes requires a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by each of our priority groups. We work with SMEs to ensure that we meet people where they are to ensure successful and lasting outcomes. Only by understanding the barriers for each specialist group can we create and implement effective solutions for them within the UK employment landscape.

Understanding barriers and support strategies

Care leavers face significant disadvantages in accessing employment opportunities, with research showing they are considerably less likely to be in education, employment, or training compared to their peers. Homewood Training can demonstrate understanding through:

Addressing support network gaps

Recognise that care leavers lack the extended family and social networks that many rely on for employment connections and advice.
Implement mentoring programmes with industry professionals who can provide guidance throughout the employment journey.
Create cohort-based training to foster peer support networks among participants.

Financial barrier recognition

Acknowledge the impact of low minimum wage rates for under-23s who lack parental financial support.
Provide financial literacy training specific to budgeting on entry-level wages.
Partner with employers willing to offer living wage commitments or progression pathways.
Connect participants with financial support schemes and entitlements specific to care leavers.

Accommodation challenges

Recognise that expensive supported accommodation can make taking up work-related opportunities financially unviable.
Partner with housing associations and local authorities to coordinate housing support during employment transitions.
Provide guidance on balancing housing benefit changes when entering employment.

Mental health and trauma-informed approaches

Implement training delivery methods that account for potential trauma histories.
Integrate mental health awareness throughout the programme.
Provide access to wellbeing support services alongside employment training.

Corporate parenting leverage

Utilise local authority corporate parenting responsibilities to secure ring-fenced opportunities.
Advocate for guaranteed interviews and supported work experience schemes.
Develop partnership agreements with employers committed to care leaver engagement.

Homewood Training can truly deliver on its commitment to transform employment training into real, sustainable employment outcomes. The specialised approach for each group ensures that Homewood Training's commitment to delivering people who are "ready to work" is achieved through addressing the unique challenges each participant faces, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.