Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Support for young people who have been in care
Two new schemes to support young people who have experienced care have been launched by North Lanarkshire Council.
Work placements and training will be provided to give better access to employment and education opportunities through the new “family firm”.
It brings together the local authority, voluntary organisations, the private sector and care-experienced young people who form the Tomorrow Not Today group.
Four young people have already secured placements with the council, plus its leisure and culture organisations and housing repairs partner Mears – with the programme now to be “rapidly expanded”.
North Lanarkshire has also approved a virtual school for care-experienced young people and to support families of children who are looked after at home or are in kinship care.
It will support attainment and be headed up by a leader who will track and monitor progress, and manage specialist educational support for the children and their families.
Education convener Frank McNally said: “We think these will be life- changing developments for young people who have experience of care.
“We know that young people who have experience of care, through no fault of their own, are most at risk of not entering the world of work.
“It’s essential that we work directly with these young people to support them, and employers, to offer them a chance to work – the family firm approach brings all the relevant agencies and employers together to provide support.
“Virtual school brings together best practice, guidance and support in one place and gives these young people continuity and support which many haven’t had; we’re determined to improve the life chances of young people who have experienced care and I firmly believe these developments will do just that.”