At Shaping Lives, we believe in the power of education and opportunity to shape the future workforce. Through our partnership with the Care Leaver Covenant, we are working to provide meaningful opportunities for care leavers to build their careers and thrive professionally.
Care leavers face unique challenges as they take the next steps from care; the Care Leaver Covenant works with more than 500 organisations across the country to connect care leavers with exclusive opportunities in education, work, wellbeing, money and their home.
By collaborating with the Care Leaver Covenant, Shaping Lives is able to offer apprenticeship programmes designed to meet the needs of apprentices and the childcare sector.
The Care Leaver Covenant’s Role
The Care Leaver Covenant serves as a bridge between care-experienced young people and vital services, creating exclusive opportunities in education, employment, and all aspects of life. Established in 2018, it facilitates ‘offers’ from businesses, the public sector and charitable organisations to offer a different type of support for care leavers, supplementing the statutory support offered by local authorities.
By supporting the Care Leaver Covenant, organisations like Shaping Lives are helping care leavers gain independence and set a foundation for long-term success. It’s about offering a sense of belonging and opportunity to young people who may not have had the same access to resources and networks.
Empowering the Next Generation of Early Years Educators
Shaping Lives is dedicated to shaping the future of early years education by offering apprenticeship programmes that allow young people to gain hands-on experience while working toward nationally recognised qualifications. Through their work, they are not only building the skills of the next generation of educators but also fostering a professional environment where young people can thrive personally and professionally.
Their apprenticeship programmes are designed to support individuals at all stages of their career in childcare, whether they’re just starting or looking to develop leadership skills. These programmes are flexible and provide a variety of qualifications, enabling apprentices to progress within the field and make a lasting impact on young children’s lives.
Providing Tailored Support for Care-Experienced Young People
Shaping Lives is committed to ensuring equal access to apprenticeship opportunities, particularly for care-experienced young people. The unique challenges faced by care leavers are recognised, and Shaping Lives goes above and beyond to provide tailored support and guidance for those transitioning into their careers. With flexible learning pathways, apprentices can access the resources and help they need to overcome barriers and become confident professionals in their chosen field.
We are proud to join Care Leaver Covenant in their efforts to ensure that care leavers have every opportunity to succeed. This partnership makes sure apprentices receive the necessary tools, mentorship, and career guidance to excel in early years education.
A Future Built on Opportunity and Support
The collaboration between Shaping Lives and the Care Leaver Covenant is a powerful step forward in creating lasting change for care-experienced young people. Through these apprenticeship opportunities, we aim to help young people develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to succeed. The partnership is not just about job placements—it’s about changing lives, providing support, and giving young people the tools to shape their own futures.
At Shaping Lives, we are proud to be part of this vital initiative, and we encourage other organisations to get involved, whether through offering apprenticeship opportunities or joining the Care Leaver Covenant’s growing network. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of care leavers, empowering them to achieve their full potential.
Join Us at Shaping Lives and help make a difference today.
