Care leavers

6. Education, employment and training

We want to make sure every young person leaving care has the support to achieve their goals in life and succeed in their chosen education, training and employment. We will support you by offering specialist advisers within the Virtual School and Get Oldham Working.

Education and Training

  • Support to access a bursary if you stay in full-time education, go to university or choose to do an apprenticeship. This includes access to Education Trusts, Discretionary Learner Support Funds, the Further Education Bursary, and the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
  • Support to buy equipment, essential clothing and equipment and books via the above bursary
  • Money-based incentives for attendance in education or training, or for achieving certain qualifications. You will receive £50 as a well done if you gain six or more passing GCSEs. If two of these grades are in English and Maths, we will increase this to £100. We’ll cover the cost of travel to and from a course if no other option is available.
  • With your consent, your PA can have a relationship with your tutors or support services.

Higher Education

If you decide to go to university, we will assist you with your housing during holiday periods and provide you with extra financial support – there should be no reason stopping you going to university!

This offer is in place to support you over a three-year degree course (funding will only cover one three-year period). There is no financial support in relation to this Offer when accessing Foundation or master’s Courses, which will need to be financed by alternative methods, which we can support you in accessing.

Part-time, blended learning and distance learning courses will not qualify for this additional funding. In addition, non-attending students (i.e., those completing outstanding coursework or examinations from a previous academic year) will not be eligible for financial support.

  • Support if you choose to go to university between the ages of 18 and 21 includes:
  • Support to attend open days and admission interviews
  • Support with accessing tuition fees, maintenance loans, the National Scholarship Programme, and possible bursaries
  • Providing a laptop and software in conjunction with the Virtual School to an agreed amount.
  • Travel costs at the start and end of term, via Leaving Care Grant or Student Finance
  • Accommodation costs up to £7,000, paid 52 weeks a year
  • Holiday accommodation
  • A weekly allowance of £67.20 for the duration of the studies if you are not working
  • Money towards the cost of graduation
  • Guaranteed access to the internet if it’s not available in your accommodation.
  • You will be eligible to apply for a student loan and we will support you with this.

There will be a contract of expectations that you will be asked to sign, so everyone’s roles and responsibilities will be clear.

You will be asked to give permission for your PA to contact your university to ensure you are supported.

Employment

  • Ring-fenced opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships, and employment at Oldham Council
  • Access to organisations that will provide support with interview preparation and appropriate clothing
  • Support with writing CVs, job applications, and personal statements, plus interview preparation
  • Support with travel costs to job interviews, if there are no other means to get to the appointment
  • Provide advice and support to get onto a college course, which may increase work opportunities.

We will celebrate your achievements at an annual celebration event and in a personal way when you gain significant qualifications.

Studying and childcare

  • Lone parents can apply for a Parent’s Learning Allowance and Childcare grant
  • If you are a parent of a young child and on a college or training course, you will probably be eligible for the Care to Learn scheme
  • To qualify for Care to Learn, you must be under 20 years old on the day the course begins
  • Care to Learn will contribute towards childcare costs until the course has finished (up to £160 per child, per week)
  • If you are over 20 years old when the course begins, you could get help with childcare costs from the Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme, or from the college’s Discretionary Learner Support Fund.  

Speak to your PA about the options available. If you do not qualify for any other scheme, we might be able to offer you support to help you achieve your goals.

Useful contacts:

For any Care Leavers thinking of going on to higher education: