Extra support for care leavers

Children leaving care who work in apprenticeships will be better paid thanks to a move taken by Derbyshire County Council.
NEWS: News.NEWS: News.
NEWS: News.

The authority’s Care Leavers Employment Team helps young people aged 16 to 19 who are leaving care to find post–16 education, training and employment.

Now the council is making sure those on apprenticeship schemes with firms working with the team receive the minimum wage – £3.72 for under 18s, £5.03 for 18-20s and £6.31 to those aged 21 and over. The rate for apprentices nationally is £2.68 an hour.

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The increase will be backdated to October last year and help hundreds of young people in the long term.

Councillor Kevin Gillott, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We do our best for children in care and this includes giving them full backing and support when they prepare to leave us and start making their way in the world.

“Times are incredibly hard for everyone at the moment and even though we have to make huge savings in the next few years we’ve got to do right by the youngsters who are our responsibility.”