1625 Independent People (1625ip) and South Gloucestershire Council have announced a new partnership aimed at kick-starting the journeys into learning and employment of 200 young people leaving care in the West.
The new initiative, Reboot West, will support young people to access work experience, jobs, apprenticeships and mentoring, and is calling on businesses across the South West to get involved.
Reboot West is a partnership between 1625ip, four local authorities – South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, North Somerset Council – and social investor Bridges Fund Management (Bridges).
Funding for the programme has been secured by 1625 Independent People and will use social investment to support care leavers to achieve their potential. Bridges will fund delivery of the new project and then receive payments through the Department for Education’s Children’s Social Care Innovation programme based on the results achieved by the project
The programme has been developed, co-designed and coordinated by 1625 Independent People (1625ip) with support from the four local authorities and Bridges. It will help young people leaving care in the West to lead successful, independent lives.
Care leavers will be given support to progress into education and jobs alongside access to safe, stable homes, trusting relationships and a range of practical and emotional help to develop personally.
Young people and businesses will be actively engaged in shaping the project so that opportunities are created that meet the needs and aspirations of both young people and employers.
Combating the sense of isolation care leavers often report when leaving care will also be a key aim of the project. By making sure they have the right emotional and practical support in place and by testing new approaches that engage the whole community in finding solutions, the project will seek to remove the negative impacts this feeling can have.
The project will also engage all sectors of the community, including businesses, in tackling the inequalities, disadvantage and discrimination that care leavers can face as they transition into adulthood.
Cllr Jon Hunt, Cabinet Member responsible for Children and Young People in South Gloucestershire, said: “There can be many challenges faced by people leaving care and we want to do all that we can to prevent feelings of isolation and help care leavers to independently lead successful and fulfilling lives.
“Support will be offered to care leavers as they progress through education and into jobs and help will be provided so that they gain access to safe, stable homes. Care leavers will also be offered a wide range of practical and emotional support to help them develop personally.”
“This project will be shaped by young people and businesses to ensure it meets both of their needs and aspirations. Through partnership working we are able to combine our resources and ensure that we’re giving care leavers the best possible opportunities as they begin their lives after care.”
Dom Wood, CEO of 1625ip said, “We know that given the right opportunities and support every young person can succeed. We are delighted by the support that the Department for Education has announced. We are now keener than ever to hear from employers across all sectors, including businesses, who are interested in offering opportunities for our care leavers.
“Young people leaving care bring a vast range of skills, and we know that when they are offered the right opportunities, alongside the emotional and practical support that this project will offer, they can thrive and be a fantastic asset to businesses, public services, charities, colleges and universities.
“We are delighted to be part of the Department of Education’s new initiative and we hope that with the right opportunities in place, we will see a new future emerge for our care leavers.”
If you are interested in finding out more about Reboot West, and how your business can get involved, please contact Tim Wye, Programme Manager, by emailing tim.wye@1625ip.co.uk.
