Leaving Care is committed to providing bespoke individual support packages to young people who are making the transition to independent living. We have an excellent record in transitioning young people into employment – our NEET (young people not in employment, education or training) currently stands at 24% compared to the national average of 46% for care leavers.
In addition, we have a bespoke education programme for young people who are NEET, the Unit Award Scheme (UAS) from the AQA which includes certification. With UAS, learners have their achievements recognised and are rewarded, no matter how big or small the achievement is. UAS motivates, encourages and raises self-esteem within young people and can reward achievements which might otherwise go unrecognised.
UAS has existed for over 30 years as an achievement scheme and has proved very successful for care leavers, who regardless of their ability, can still achieve and feel a sense of pride, as well as receiving a formal acknowledgment of their achievement.
The awards can also provide a stepping stone to employment, further education or training and independent living as they display what the learner has successfully completed – skills which are often transferrable in a college or workplace setting.
Mandy Whyatt, Managing Director of Leaving Care, believes that the work the Leaving Care Team carry out through the Unit Award Scheme to acknowledge all young people’s achievements only continues to strengthen their position as a leading provider of transition support from residential care to independent living.
AQA UAS Scheme in action
- ‘This young person has been working through his AQAs with staff. He is also showing great improvement with all his life skills and especially cooking with staff. He goes twice monthly to a Para-Olympic stables to help groom, feed and take care of the horses which he thoroughly enjoys.’
- ‘7 AQA units have been sent for certification. She is actively thinking about a future career and has an appointment with careers advisor to discuss options as she is considering either construction or care.’
