£1m pilot announced to help care leavers into positive destinations

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A year long, £1m pilot programme designed to help young care leavers into positive destinations has been announced by Economy Secretary Keith Brown.

Speaking at the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Brown said the Scottish Government is continuing to work to improve the life chances of care experienced young people.

He told delegates: “Our young people are our most important asset and we must ensure that we give them every opportunity to succeed.

“Young people who have experience of care are one group who can face challenges in their lives but this government won’t leave them behind.

“I am delighted to announced today that we are launching a one year pilot programme backed with £1 million of funding specifically aimed at helping care experienced young people into positive destinations. A fulfilment of a manifesto pledge.”

The Care Experienced Employability Programme (CEEP) will help 270 young care leavers aged 16 to 29 to move into appropriate work, training or educational opportunities.

CEEP will be led by the third sector Young Person’s Consortium which consists of Barnardo’s Scotland, Action for Children and the Prince’s Trust.

The programme is designed to enhance and add value to existing youth employment provision and deliver intensive support to young people who are often excluded from attaining their full potential through education and employment.  It will offer work experience, qualifications, practical skills, involvement in community projects and life coaching that are focussed on the needs of the individual.

Brown also announced that the Scottish Government will provide funding to support at least 200 women returners to get back into work.

He added: “It isn’t just care leavers who need our support to get into the labour market. Some women who have taken time away from employment, often to support their families, can need some support to return to work.

“We know that by tackling issues of poverty, inequality and social exclusion, we can build a sustainable economy.”