Report Research re Employability of Care Leavers in North East Higher Education Institutions
by Lesley Griffin
Lesley Griffin recently undertook some voluntary research on HEIs as employers of care leavers on behalf of NNECL
Research Brief:
Based upon the second outcome of the Care Leavers Covenant: Care leavers have improved access to employment, education and training
To identify which Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) identify and promote themselves as employers of Care Leavers and what if any, specified support mechanisms they have in place.
To conduct a small stage investigation within the NE of England with the five universities and in consultation with NE Raising Aspirations Partnership (NERAP) who already work collaboratively with care leavers in the North East.
Summary of Findings:
Only two of the five North East universities have committed to the Care Leavers Covenant.
None of the universities taking part in this research had any information in place specific to any Care Leavers that would support them with an application for employment within the institution or about any support once employed by the institution for any care leaver.
That said there are some levels of support for individual HEI’s own Care Experienced students, as student workers within their own institution. Only one HEI has specified particular support for care leavers with regard to this type of employment. In addition, some HR professionals expressed a willingness to consider what could be put in place for Care Leavers in the future.
During 2020, North East Raising Aspirations Partnership (NERAP) is aiming to establish and agree an overall baseline of support that all care leavers can expect from the five NE universities. This may or may not include specific information regarding employment/future employment support.
