3/3/20

A new scheme that seeks to prepare and equip care-experienced young people for the world of work has launched today.

Bright Futures is part of the Council's successful Into Work Advice Service and focuses on pre-employability help for 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) or those at risk of being NEET.

Bright Futures goes hand in hand with the existing Council scheme, Bright Start, which provides vital work placements for care-experienced young people within various departments across the Council. The scheme will now build on this platform to broaden the range of placement opportunities available for young people to offer more choice and to be able to accommodate specific requests for types of role.

The new scheme was launched at City Hall today by Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Graham Hinchey.

 Cllr Hinchey said: "As corporate parent, the Council is committed to improving outcomes for young people who have experienced care at some point in their lives so they can move towards adulthood successfully.

  "Starting a new job or embarking on a new training opportunity can be a daunting prospect for anyone but the task can be even more challenging for care-experienced young people.

"Bright Futures seeks to smooth the way in that transition and deliver improved outcomes for these young people by not only providing expert employment guidance and advice but helping to remove any barriersto an individualaccessing their chosen path.

"Bright Futures will deliver tailored support, ensuring that the young people are fully ready for the world of work and that  a solid foundation is laid for young people to succeed."

As part of the scheme, support workers and mentors will work closely with young people and can signpost to other council or partner services to  address any issues that are not directly related to work or training, to ensure the young peole get all the  help they need.

Young people with experience of the care system, who are already benefiting from the scheme spoke  at today's launch about the support they are receiving in their chosen pathway.

  Hannah said: "Bright Futures has changed my life because it's given me a lot more confidence. I'm able to get out and motivate myself."

 Olivia said: "Bright Futures has helped me get an opportunity with the Council so I can get experience and apply for jobs in the future.

"Before Bright Futures, I didn't believe in myself. I want to do better with my life and achieve something with my life. Bright Futures has helped me a lot to do that."

Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, with responsibility for Into Work services, Cllr Chris Weaver, said: "Our Into Work services have a strong track record of supporting people into work and equipping them with the right skills to ensure they are ready for employment.  Bright Futures is an excellent scheme that helps young people  to become more confident and gives them the opportunities to reach their potential, pursuing a career they want."