If you’re a care‑experienced you person or a care leaver, there is support available to help you take your next steps into:

• education or training
• apprenticeships
• work experience
• employment

You might already know what you want to do, or you might just want to explore your options. Either way, we’re here to help you work things out at your pace.

How your personal advisor or social worker can help you

They can help you explore education and work options, develop career ideas, and get ready for applications, CVs and interviews. We also support you into work or training, covering workplace basics, practical issues like travel or equipment, understanding pay, and offering ongoing check-ins as your plans change.

Support to move into paid work

If you want to find a job but feel unsure because of limited experience, a disability or health condition, being neurodivergent, or needing extra support, Connect to Work may be able to help where you’ll work with a job coach who can support you. Your PA or social worker will be able to help you apply.

Get support using the Virtual School

If you’re in Year 12 or 13, your personal advisor can share contact details for a Virtual School Education Officer (VSEO).

You can email the Virtual School at virtual.school@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to arrange:

• a phone call
• a Teams call
• a face‑to‑face meeting

Create an action plan

Your personal advisor team and the Virtual School can help you create a simple action plan. This looks at:

• what you want to achieve
• the steps to get there
• anything that might get in the way
• what support would help

Online resources to help start your career

For help with your CV you can check out:

• a builder by Barclays LifeSkills
• guidance at the National Careers Service
• guidance at Amazing Apprenticeships
• advice at Youth Employment UK

For applications and pathways advice you can check out:

• how to write a cover letter at the National Careers Service
• options after GSCEs or nationals at UCAS
• how to apply for an apprenticeships on GOV.UK

For information about career options you can check out:

• careers at the National Careers Service
• the career planner at Prospects

For advice with interviews you can check out:

• the virtual interview practice tool at Barclays LifeSkills
• the STAR method at the National Careers Service
• career toolkit from the BBC

All images on this page were taken by Rylee Dickinson who is one of our care experienced young people.