Creating Futures: Exploring 16+ Opportunities

Join us for an informative and inspiring webinar exploring the education, training and employment opportunities available to care experienced young people aged 16+. Through presentations from our corporate partners and Fostering Friendly employers, you'll hear about a range of pathways, including apprenticeships, training programmes and career opportunities, and learn how organisations are creating inclusive and supportive environments for young people.

This event is designed for foster carers and professionals supporting young people as they consider their future options. By increasing awareness of the opportunities available, attendees will be better equipped to have meaningful conversations about aspirations, next steps and long-term career goals.

If you're supporting a young person with important decisions about education, training or employment, this is an invaluable opportunity to discover what's available and how to help them access it.

Building Happier Futures is the John Lewis Partnership's long-term commitment to supporting care-experienced children and young people across the UK. Through fundraising, employment opportunities, work experience, apprenticeships and advocacy, the programme aims to give young people leaving care the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive. Since launching in 2022, Building Happier Futures has raised millions for the care-experienced community, helped over 1,300 young people access employability programmes, provided hundreds of work experience placements, and offered employment opportunities to care-experienced individuals. Their work is driven by a simple belief: every child and young person deserves a fair start in life and the chance to fulfil their potential.

We will hear from the Lloyds Banking group who through Project Hope is committed to improving outcomes for care-experienced young people through employment opportunities, support for foster carers, and partnerships that provide practical dignity and stability. From apprenticeships and career pathways to initiatives that directly support young people in care, the Group is helping create brighter futures for children and young people across the UK.

We're pleased to welcome Phil Warnock and Verity White from Ginger Nut Training. Phil is a leading advocate for apprenticeships and increasing opportunities for care experienced young people, while Verity brings valuable first-hand experience of completing an apprenticeship and progressing her career. Together, they will provide a practical introduction to apprenticeships, including how to apply, the support available to care leavers, and how to access the Apprenticeship Care Leaver Bursary.