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Education, Training and Career

We have high aspirations for you, you can use this section to find out about the ways that you can stay in education or get into work.

How We Will Help You

  • We will give you information and support you to apply for apprenticeships and other employment opportunities through Think Sandwell and Connexions
  • We will help you write your CV an get ready for interviews. If you need clothes for interviews we can help you with that too.
  • We guarantee an interview for any job in Sandwell Children’s Trust providing you meet the person specification.
  • We are working with our partners to develop a Sandwell pledge for Care Experienced Young People.
  • We will provide work experience opportunities at Sandwell Children’s Trust.
  • You can receive a £3000 bursary if you become an apprentice (Bursary is the name given to a grant that you receive to help you study).
  • We will help you celebrate your achievements and successes, and host an annual event for you to share this success with people that are important to you.
  • We will support you if you want to do voluntary work or gain work experience.
  • The Care Leaver Covenant links with local businesses that can offer employment and work experience opportunities.

Additional help available for Care experienced people depending on your status as a care experienced young person.

Children and young people with a disability have access to the Send Local Offer which is tailored specifically to your needs.

The following section explains what is provided in addition for each status.

When you are 16-17 years old

  • You will have a Personal Education Plan (PEP) and Sandwell’s Virtual School will help you to succeed in your learning.
  • We can help with transport costs when travelling to school, college, apprenticeships and job interviews.
  • If you are in education or employment you can access a 16-18 photocard that means you can buy bus, tram and train tickets at child prices.
  • You will have access to a dedicated Connexions advisor who will help you with career information and advice.

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If you are in Further Education (16-19)

  • You can apply for a discretionary learner bursary from the education provider.
  • We can support you to buy tools, equipment and clothes.

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If you are in higher education (18-25)

  • We can pay for your UCAS application to university.
  • If you go to university we will give you a £3000 bursary to help with the costs of books, materials and equipment. This will be split across the number of years that the course lasts for. For apprentices who start their apprenticeships up to and including 31 July 2023, the bursary is a single payment of £1,000. (See note below)
  • We can pay you an incentive allowance based on your attendance at university
  • We can visit University open days with you or help with your travel costs.
  • We can support you to move your things to and from university
  • We will support you to claim the maximum entitlement from Student Finance for tuition fees and a maintenance loan.
  • We will help pay your rent when you are on holiday from University.
  • If you choose, you can keep your personal advisor up to the age of 25.
  • Universities also offer bursaries for Care Leavers. You can see which universities offer this by visiting www.propel.org.uk
  • We will host online ‘Chill & Chat’ sessions that you can join virtually
  • We can contribute to the cost of your cap and gown hire when you graduate
  • You may be eligible for an Enhanced household support fund payment

For an apprentice to be eligible for the care leavers’ bursary, they must:

  • be aged under 25 at the time they start their apprenticeship
  • not have received the care leavers’ bursary before
  • be either an eligible child, a relevant child or a former relevant child

For further information please visit GOV.UK