The role of carers and employers in promoting care leavers' access and progress in work

This presentation highlights the potential role of carers and employers in supporting care leavers in their efforts to access and sustain work opportunities. Findings presented draw from a wider cross-national study (Ireland... [ view full abstract ]

This presentation highlights the potential role of carers and employers in supporting care leavers in their efforts to access and sustain work opportunities. Findings presented draw from a wider cross-national study (Ireland and Catalonia) aimed at exploring the key influences that young people reported as helping them to succeed in the world of work.

A total of 22 care leavers (10 in Ireland and 12 in Catalonia) were recruited on the basis of substantial employment experience since leaving care. An open-ended interview was conducted in both locations to explore, among other things, the role that carers and other significant people played in their successful work trajectories before and since leaving care.

Across both countries, formal carers (social educators, foster families) were reported to play an important role in supporting the work progress of young people in care. . The intensity of such support varied across cases, depending on the characteristics/qualities of the placement. The findings of the study suggest that carers’ support needs to be considered on at least two levels: i) creating a positive climate in the care setting (for example values about education, placement stability, carers' expectations, etc.) and, ii) giving practical guidance or support to access and progress in the world of work (for example, lifts to or from work, helping young people prepare themselves for work tasks and skills, etc.)

Across both countries, some employers and managers were reported as very influential in care leavers’ progress in the world of work. Participants recalled examples in which some employers seemed to have been acting spontaneously as informal ‘carers’ by mentoring young people in the acquisition of many daily skills, building trust, giving advice, etc.

The presentation will conclude by reviewing some implications of the findings for recruitment, training and support strategies for carers (formal and informal) in the area of work support