Southend care leaver local offer

Education, employment and training

We want every care leaver to achieve their goals, whatever they are.

Whether you want to:

  • go to college or university
  • find a job
  • start an apprenticeship
  • learn new skills
  • start your own business

We are here to help.

We also run workshops to help you:

  • write a CV
  • apply for jobs
  • build confidence
  • get back into education, training or work

Southend Virtual School

The Southend Virtual School supports children in care and care leavers with education.

They can help you:

  • stay in education or training
  • plan your future
  • reach your goals

Your personal advisor and the Virtual School work together to support you.

The Ready to Work programme

If you are 16 to 24 and are not in education, employment or training, you may be able to join the Ready to Work programme.

The programme can help you:

  • build confidence
  • learn new skills
  • find training
  • find a job

Speak to your personal advisor to find out more.

The 16 to 19 bursary 

If you are 16 to 19 and studying at school, college or on a training course, you may be able to get up to £1,200 each year to help with education costs.

This does not apply if you are at university.

Young people seeking asylum may also be able to apply.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

If English is not your first language, we can help you improve your:

  • speaking
  • listening
  • reading
  • writing

We will help you:

  • find the right course
  • enrol at college
  • plan your next steps
  • access study books and learning resources

Higher education (university) offer

If university is part of your plans, we will support you before and during your course.

We may pay for:

  • £2,000 bursary over your course (paid in instalments)
  • help with rent during half term breaks (not summer holidays)
  • up to £150 each year for books and stationery (for up to 3 years)
  • a railcard to help you travel and stay in touch with family and your support workers

This is on top of any Student Finance you may be entitled to. Some universities also offer extra bursaries for care leavers.

Your personal advisor will help you understand all the support available.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship lets you:

  • earn a wage
  • learn new skills
  • gain a qualification

If you want to do an apprenticeship, we will help you:

  • write your CV
  • search and apply for opportunities
  • prepare for interviews
  • meet a careers advisor
  • find local apprenticeship opportunities
  • apply for any bursaries you can get

If you meet the job requirements, you are guaranteed an interview for Southend-on-Sea City Council apprenticeships.

We also offer:

  • a mentor to support you
  • access to laptops and free Wi-Fi at the leaving care home
  • help gaining qualifications if you need them first

You can search and apply for apprenticeships on the GOV.UK website or find out more about apprenticeships.

You may also be entitled to an apprenticeship care leaver bursary.

Jobs at Southend-on-Sea City Council

We want more care leavers to work at Southend-on-Sea City Council. Please visit our jobs section for vacancies.

We can help you:

  • find jobs and work experience
  • complete job applications
  • prepare for interviews
  • build confidence at work

If you meet the job requirements, you are guaranteed an interview for Southend-on-Sea City Council jobs.

If you get a job with Southend-on-Sea City Council, we will continue to support you while you settle into your new role.

Volunteering and work experience

Volunteering is a great way to:

  • build confidence
  • learn new skills
  • gain work experience
  • improve your CV

We work with local employers and organisations to help you find opportunities, including:

  • John Lewis and Waitrose Building Happier Futures programme, who offer work experience and guaranteed interviews after completing their programme
  • NatWest who offer pre-employment programmes and apprenticeships
  • Volunteer It Yourself who offers trade skills, mentoring and qualifications
  • Become offers workshops about jobs, apprenticeships and university
  • Local businesses across Southend

Speak to your personal advisor to find out about the latest opportunities and how to apply. You can also visit the volunteering section for vacancies.

Extra support for education, training and work

We can offer extra support to help you learn new skills, find a job or continue your education.

You may be able to get:

  • one-third off C2C train travel for Southend care leavers
  • support from a care leaver advisor at Southend Jobcentre
  • advice from a Connexions careers advisor
  • help with the cost of interview clothes, if you need it
  • access to free or low-cost laptops and computers through Every Child Online
  • free Vodafone SIM card with data, calls and texts for up to 6 months (age 18+ and subject to availability)
  • discounts at Currys on technology and household items

Extra organisations that can help

You can also get support from:

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