Home / Business and Economy / Care Leavers Locked Out: Employers Say Yes, Hire No
Care Leavers Locked Out: Employers Say Yes, Hire No
23 Mar
Summary
- Care leavers are three times more likely to be unemployed than peers.
- Over 80% of employers would consider hiring care leavers.
- Few employers adapt recruitment for non-linear work histories.
Thousands of young people transitioning from care in England are struggling to find employment, despite many employers stating their willingness to hire them. A new report reveals that care leavers are nearly three times more likely to be unemployed compared to their peers. This persistent employment gap has remained unchanged for a decade.
Official figures show that 40% of care-experienced individuals aged 19 to 21 are not in employment, education, or training (Neet). This contrasts sharply with the 12.7% of their non-care-experienced counterparts. The overall Neet rate for young people across the UK has regrettably climbed to nearly one million.
Although many companies claim to support young people leaving care, the Drive Forward Foundation's survey found that few modify their hiring practices. Over 80% of surveyed employers would consider care leavers, yet most have not adapted recruitment to accommodate non-linear career paths or CV gaps.
Nearly half of employers admitted to never adjusting job descriptions to remove potential barriers. Consequently, one in four reported having no specific support measures for care-experienced candidates. This lack of adaptation means capable individuals are often filtered out prematurely.
The Drive Forward Foundation has launched a toolkit designed to assist employers in creating more accessible work opportunities for care leavers. Partnering with over 40 organizations, including John Lewis and Camden council, the charity emphasizes the benefits of flexible approaches for both employees and the workforce.
A government spokesperson affirmed their commitment to youth employment, detailing targeted support for care leavers and a significant £1 billion youth employment scheme. This initiative aims to create 200,000 jobs, alongside broader support packages totaling £2.5 billion for nearly one million young people.
