Your Rights: Employment Support for Care Leavers
Finding your place in the world of work can feel exciting, confusing, and sometimes intimidating.
If you grew up in care, it might feel like other people had a head start. You may not have had adults explaining how work works, how to build confidence, or where to turn when things feel overwhelming.
But here is something you deserve to hear clearly:
You have specific rights, support, and entitlements designed to help you find work, build experience, and stay financially stable while you do it.
This support exists because you deserve the same chances as anyone else, even if your path has been tougher.
This guide breaks everything down gently so you can see what you are entitled to and how to access it in real life.
A familiar moment
You see a job you like.
You open the application form.
Your brain says, “I don’t even know where to start.”
Or maybe you are already working, juggling everything feels heavy, and you think, “I wish there was help for people like me.”
There is.
And it is not charity.
It is your right.
What support exists for care leavers
If you are a care leaver aged 16 to 25 in England, you are entitled to employment, education, and training support through:
your Personal Advisor (PA)
your Local Authority
your Care Leaver Offer (also called the Local Offer)
national schemes and benefits
Your Care Leaver Offer sets out exactly what support your local area provides. Every Local Authority must publish one.
If you have never been shown it, that is not your fault.
You can find it by searching online for:
“care leaver offer” + your council name or by using sites such as careleaveroffer.co.uk
Employment support you can ask for
You do not need to ask for everything at once. These are options you can return to when you need them.
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You are entitled to a Personal Advisor until age 21, and up to 25 if you ask for continued support.
Your PA can help with job searches, CVs, interview preparation, confidence building, training opportunities, accessing grants, and referrals to other services.
You are allowed to say:
“I want support with work and training.”
You do not need to wait for them to suggest it. -
Your Local Authority must offer Education, Training and Employment support.
This can include help finding training courses, applying for apprenticeships, connecting to employment programmes, advice about college or further education, and guidance on career options.
This support should be clearly listed in your Care Leaver Offer.
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Many Local Authorities can help with practical costs such as travel to interviews or your first month of work, clothing or uniforms, equipment like tools or a laptop, course fees, training materials, or childcare.
You can ask your PA:
“Is there any help available for starting this job or course?”This is normal and within your rights.
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Some employers and organisations offer schemes specifically for care-experienced young people, including paid internships, supported apprenticeships, mentoring, and work experience placements.
These exist to level the playing field, not to single you out.
It is fairness, not a favour.
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As a care leaver, you can access more tailored support through Jobcentre Plus.
This may include flexible appointments, additional help with job searching, understanding if things feel overwhelming, and access to training programmes.
You can tell your work coach that you are care-experienced if you feel safe to do so.
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Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to Universal Credit, the work allowance, help with housing costs, and exemption from the Shared Accommodation Rate if you are under 25.
This housing exemption is very important.
If you are unsure, you can ask:
“Can you confirm my exemption as a care leaver?” -
Work is not just about skills. It is about being well enough to take steps.
You can ask your PA or Local Authority about emotional support, counselling referrals, wellbeing programmes, mentoring, or trauma-informed services.
You deserve support in all areas of your life, not just employment.
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Care leavers starting an apprenticeship can receive a bursary, alongside support with equipment, travel, and ongoing help from training providers.
Apprenticeships can be a supportive way to earn while you learn.
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If a job ends, feels unsafe, or becomes overwhelming, you are not on your own.
You can still access PA support, crisis help, advice about your rights, advocacy, and help finding your next step.
You are not expected to figure everything out alone.
Reflective moment
If asking for support feels uncomfortable, that is understandable.
Growing up in care often means learning to cope alone or feeling that asking for help leads to disappointment. Those habits make sense.
But you deserve support that actually works for you now.
You deserve stability, opportunity, you are not a burden for using what you are entitled to.
Conclusion
Employment support for care leavers is not about special treatment. It is about fairness, safety, and giving you the foundation you deserve.
You have the right to training, guidance, financial help, and someone in your corner while you build your career.
You do not have to navigate work alone.
You have rights.
You have support.
And you have every reason to build a future that feels stable, hopeful, and exciting - however your career takes shape.