focusgov and the Care Leaver Covenant

Many young people who leave local authority care do not achieve the same outcomes of their peers - only a small number go to university, many are not in education, employment or training after sixteen and many are at risk of rough sleeping.

The Department for Education has teamed up with Spectra First to deliver the Care Leaver Covenant - a contract for government departments, businesses and charities to sign with pledges for practical support for care leavers, such as work placements and apprenticeships. Launched at the ICC in Birmingham on 26th October by Children and Families Minister Nadhim Zahawi, the Covenant is a landmark moment which provides long-term support from society to help care leavers make a smooth transition into adulthood.

focusgov has played a key role in the delivery of the Covenant, with the creation of the official Care Leaver Covenant App which will be the primary channel for care leavers to find out about latest pledges, offers and opportunities from organisations across the UK. Having already built the Care Leavers App for several local authorities, the focusgov team have met lots of young people who have left care and have become aware of the challenges they face.

“The Covenant is a genuinely innovative initiative that has the potential to change the lives of so many young people", says focusgov MD Simon Newing, “It is something we are very proud to be be playing a key role in."

Businesses and organisations who are interested in the opportunity to help care leavers can find out more, and register for the Covenant, at www.mycovenant.org.uk.