Support for Care Experienced Individuals
Welcome to Our Care Experienced Support Hub
At Ginger Nut Training, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive—regardless of their background. We’re proud to support care experienced individuals through tailored guidance, meaningful opportunities, and a welcoming environment where potential is nurtured.
Whether you’re exploring apprenticeships, considering university, or preparing to enter the workforce, we’re here to help you take confident steps forward. Our commitment goes beyond training—we offer real-world experiences, personalised support, and access to a network of resources designed to empower your journey.
The Ginger Nut Project
We run the “Ginger Nut Project” which is based at our Colchester office here. Over the course of a few days, we hope to build up the confidence of young care-experienced individuals while they learn and explore their own potential in a professional setting. There will also be the opportunity to have a sit-down with one of our Ginger Nut staff, where they can get some tailored and in-depth guidance about their next steps, along with lots of helpful career resources.
Whatever direction they are aiming to head for – apprenticeships, uni, straight to work. It usually runs once a quarter with a small cohort and if you would like to sponsor your young person and put them forward for our next slot of availability, then you can here.
Want to learn more or refer a young person?
Complete the form and we’ll reach out.
Disclaimer:
Opportunities & Resources for Care Experienced Individuals
Apprenticeships:
- £3K Government Apprenticeship Bursary – Government info on the care experienced apprenticeship bursary
- Job Centre Plus support – Job Centre plus support for care leavers
- PA & Social Worker guidance – PA and Social worker guidance
- Bursary eligibility flowchart – Bursary eligibility flow chart
- Amazing Apprenticeships guide – Amazing Apprenticeships, Guide for Care leavers
- Government Guide to Apprenticeships – Government Guide to Apprenticeships
- Not Going to Uni resource – Not Going To Uni
- Skills England course finder – Skills England
- National Careers Service – National Careers Service
- Writing a Winning Application guide – Writing a Winning Application
- Apprenticeships Information – Generic info on apprenticeships
- Support for care experienced apprenticesIf you’re a care experienced apprentice, you could be entitled to extra support during your apprenticeship. Someone is care experienced if they’re currently in care or have been in care at any time in their life.
University Pathways:
- The Complete University Guide
- UCAS info and tips
- UCAS tips to success
- Access to HE (QAA) – A qualification for those looking to access a degree course without a-levels
- A further access course can be found here
- Open Awards access course – There are multiple bursaries available for people to access a degree course. One of which can be found here
- For individuals considering university. – Here is a good summary of support
- All of Us – The community for estranged and care-experienced students across the UK.
- Propel yourself into higher education – Become – Great resource of HE information and support across UK universities and colleges (as well as webinars and practical support for students)
- National Network for the Education of Care Leavers – Toolkits, resources, signposting and support from the national charity supporting care-experienced young people into HE
- Care Leaver Opportunities – Care Leaver Covenant Student opportunities page
Work Readiness:
- Civil Service Internship Scheme – The civil service run a paid internship scheme specifically for those whom are care experienced once a year. Info can be found here
- The King’s Trust & Barnardo’s programs – The Kings Trust and Barnardos offer work readiness programs here and here
- Government Guide to Finding a Job
- Support for care leavers. Leaving care can be a challenging time. Whether you’re still in care or have already left, help is available
Support for Stakeholders
For Supporters:
- Pack for Apprentice Supporters – for those supporting people to do an apprenticeship
- Move On Up initiative – Move on up , A group designed to increase apprenticeship opportunities for those whom are care experienced
- Supporting care experienced students | UCAS – UCAS signposting page with resources and support
- Supporting young people in care with their Personal Education Plans (PEPs) | UCAS – PEPs planning doc to support those creating Personal Education Plans, the toolkit is also there for guiding student discovery and application.
For Employers:
- A helpful guide for employers on how to engage care experienced young people into apprenticeships
- Inclusive employment toolkit for employers
- Guide to engaging care-experienced individuals – Support for care experienced apprenticeships – further info
For Training Providers:
