The government has doubled the number of internships available as part of the Care Leaver Internship Scheme this year. 

Since 2017, 250 care leavers have been offered internships in government, including at the Department for Education and Department for Work and Pensions. 

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Today, children’s minister Vicky Ford announced there would be 500 places available this year. 

She said:  “At this time of global pandemic, we must all intensify our efforts to support the vulnerable, and young people leaving care are among the most vulnerable in our society. Too often, they do not have the same opportunities or connections with potential employers as those with stable families, they risk becoming unemployed and left behind.

“We cannot let this happen, so as well as increasing support for care leavers as they become adults, government departments have worked to create real and practical opportunities to give care leavers a head start with a first job. This year’s care leavers internship scheme is more than double that of previous years.

“Today, as we open applications to these internships, we are creating new opportunities for these young people and giving them the chance to fulfil their ambitions - no matter the obstacles they have faced.”

The internships last for 12 months and are paid positions. Current statistics show that care leavers are more than three times more likely than their peers not to be in education, employment or training (NEET).

NUS vice-president higher education Hillary Gyebi-Ababio said: “We welcome this additional support for care leavers who face particular barriers in accessing and thriving in education, from financial barriers to housing insecurity. We hope this is just the start of a renewed drive to support care leavers and widening access to education.”

Nicola Aylward, the head of learning for young people at the Learning and Work Institute, said that around 10,000 young people that leave the care system each year. 

She said: “Care leavers are three times more likely to be NEET (not in education, employment or training) compared to other young people. While these internships are a great opportunity for some care leavers, there is real risk that many will get left further behind as a result of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“In addition to internships - which many care leavers are not ready or confident to apply for - we need a range of accessible opportunities for care leavers to gain qualifications and experience, become work ready and be supported to progress towards  meaningful employment.”