We’re committed to ensuring that you have the opportunity to access a career that you will enjoy. This could be through university, training or an apprenticeship. Regardless of the route, we will provide you with the support you need to help you succeed in taking the next step to employment.
Bursary fund for 16- to 19-year-olds (non-apprentices)
This fund is available to eligible, relevant and former relevant care leavers who are planning to:
- stay at school
- move into further education
- start a training course
The bursary will be paid to your school, college or employer. This can be used to help you to continue to learn and study. For example, clothes, books and other equipment for your course.
There are two funds available:
- a bursary of up to £1,200 for young people who are in care or have recently left care
- school or college specific bursaries. They’re available if you have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), or if you’re 19 and continuing a course that you started when you were between 16 and 18
Your school or college support services will tell you if you can apply for specific bursary.
Find out if you’re eligible for 16 to 19 bursary funds (GOV.UK)
How to apply for 16-19 bursary funds (GOV.UK)
This fund is not available if you decide to start an apprenticeship. There are other forms of support for apprentices.
Bursary fund for 16- to 24-year-olds (apprentices)
If you decide to start an apprenticeship, the government will give you a £1,000 bursary. This is to help you with practical costs and help you to move into work-based learning successfully.
This bursary is available to any care leaver who is aged between 16 and 24 and is starting an apprenticeship. It will come to you as a one-off payment from your training provider.
Your training provider and personal adviser will help you access this.
Our apprenticeships
Read about our apprenticeships at Westmorland and Furness Council.
This information includes the benefits of working with us, the support we can offer you, current opportunities and how to apply for an apprenticeship.
Driving lessons
Learning to drive will give you more independence and help you to access learning and training opportunities.
Like many young people, you may want to learn to drive. We can help you by paying for:
- one attempt at your theory test
- up to ten driving lessons, as you continue to buy them
- one attempt at your practical test
This funding is available to eligible, relevant and former relevant care leavers. You must also be in education, employment or training to qualify for this funding. You will need to speak to your personal adviser to access support with learning to drive.
Guaranteed interview scheme
We’re keen to ensure you have the best possible opportunity to access one of our work-based learning schemes, such as:
- apprenticeships
- traineeships
- work experience
We may be able to offer you a guaranteed interview, as you are a care leaver. However, this will depend on the level and type of job you apply for.
Your personal adviser and the apprenticeship team of the organisation you wish to apply for will be able to provide more information.
Non-paid work experience
Unpaid work experience can help you to develop your CV and you may sometimes have to undertake unpaid work to aid your skill set. For example, volunteering can be a valuable source of work experience.
We recognise that this may reduce the time you can spend in paid employment. Therefore, will pay you up to £20 per week for such activities.
We will assess your work experience or volunteering. It must be deemed suitable, and we will review this monthly.
This is available to eligible, relevant and former relevant care leavers. Your personal advisor will help you access this funding.
Find volunteering opportunities at do-it
Support for vocational courses
You may need to undertake additional training or practical courses, to ensure you have the necessary skills for your chosen career.
We can support you with up a discretionary grant of up to £100. You must be able to show us that the course will support your career development.
This is a judged payment based on your circumstances. Your personal adviser will help you to apply for this funding.
Traineeships
We recognise that you might not be ready to go straight into an apprenticeship. You might need extra time or support to make the step up. If so, we can help you reach your potential through our traineeship scheme.
A traineeship is a step-up programme. It leads into an apprenticeship or other training route. You will gain:
- work experience
- English, maths and ICT skills
- other employability skills
This will help you become ready for an apprenticeship with us, or with one of our partners.
Whilst on a traineeship, you may be eligible for a free bus pass to help cover your travel costs. This offer is targeted. Your personal adviser and apprenticeship team will offer you a pass if you are eligible for the scheme.
For more information, please speak to your personal adviser or contact our apprenticeships team.
How to contact our apprenticeships team
Telephone: 01539 713434
Email: apprentice@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Work experience programmes
We understand that you may find the workplace daunting, and how to make a good start may be a little confusing. To assist, we’re working with NHS colleagues to create a series of short work experience programmes.
Work experience placements are available across Cumbria, in areas such as:
- acute hospital wards
- civil engineering
- care settings
The programme will give you the opportunity to:
- learn and develop new skills
- gain work-related experience
- get a taste of different roles, to help you start shaping your career plans
Your personal adviser will be able to provide you with information about the programme.
Work uniforms and clothing for interviews
Your job or training course may require you to wear specific clothing or use specific equipment. You may have to purchase this clothing or equipment yourself and this can be expensive.
Your personal advisor can help you access £250 which can be used to buy such clothing or equipment. This funding may be paid in instalments where appropriate.
In addition, we can provide up to £50 to help you purchase clothing for an interview. Your personal advisor will also be able to help you access this funding.
ID
You will need ID to open a bank account and start a job.
We want to make sure you have a suitable form of ID, so we will support you to get your first adult passport or provisional drivers license.
If you don’t have British Citizenship, we will help you to apply for alternative forms of ID that may be available.