Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus help people of working age find work in the UK. It is a part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Job Centres have a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) who work with the Leaving Care Team to help care leavers.
Jobcentre Plus provides resources to help people who are looking for jobs to find work. They do this through Jobpoints (touch-screen computer terminals), Jobseeker Direct (telephone service) and the Jobcentre Plus website. They also offer information about training opportunities for people who have been unemployed for a long time. If you’re interested in starting a business, they can help you with applying for a New Enterprise Allowance. They also administer claims for benefits such as Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, and Jobseeker's Allowance. The Job Centre can also help you with claiming Universal Credit - as a care leaver, you can make an advanced claim for Universal Credit 28 days before you turn 18 years old, but can only submit it online on your 18th birthday.
To find out more, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or call 0345 6060 234.
Civil Service Care Leaver Internship Scheme
The Civil Service offer care leavers aged 18 to 30 the opportunity to apply for a 12 month paid internship in the Civil Service across multiple different departments. These entry level internships are available across multiple locations in different departments, with the application window opening around September each year.
Look on the Civil Service Careers website for latest information about these and other career opportunities such as:
- Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP)
- Early Diversity Internship Programme
- Work Placements