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.

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Disclaimer:

The information and resources provided on this page are for guidance only and are subject to change. We recommend checking the original source for the most up-to-date details. If you have any questions or need further support, please contact  careexperienced@gingernuttraining.co.uk

Opportunities & Resources for Care Experienced Individuals

The Moving On Up Apprenticeship Buddy

A brand new AI tool designed to help care-experienced young people, their supporters and employers by providing clear, accurate answers to their questions based on best practice and official government guidance. You will find practical information about funding, eligibility, application steps, interview tips and more. Explore the options, ask questions and receive practical support every step of the way. Your path to apprenticeship knowledge starts here.

Apprenticeships:

University Pathways:

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

Mentoring programme connecting you with experienced, supportive mentors who are committed to helping you build skills, confidence, and direction – https://driveforwardfoundation.org/im-a-young-person/get-support/

Supporting care experienced young people aged 18-30 across the Liverpool City regions and Greater Manchester to work towards securing a job, apprenticeship, training or education opportunity – https://www.catch-22.org.uk/find-services/care-leavers-into-careers/

The NHS Universal Family programme:

Support for Stakeholders

For Supporters:

For Employers:

For Training Providers:

Ginger Nut Training Webinars

Apprenticeships for those in care leaving the care system, a guide for social workers and future apprentices

Local Essex leaving-care support

Opportunity What it is Link
Essex Leaving Care: Jobs and Training (local support) Local Essex leaving-care support on CVs, job search and interviews, with help from a Targeted Youth Advisor or Personal Adviser. Open link
Essex County Council: Care Leaver Job Interview Scheme If applying for jobs at Essex County Council, care leavers can access a guaranteed interview scheme (subject to meeting baseline criteria). Open link
Council tax exemption for Essex care leavers (includes Colchester) up to age 21 Explains exemption from council tax up to age 21 across Essex districts (including Colchester) and that a Personal Adviser confirms care leaver status. Open link

 

University of Essex – care leaver students support (if HE is an option) Support information for care leaver students at Essex; includes signposting to help and funding options. Open link
University of Essex – care experienced bursary (if HE is an option) Bursary information for care-experienced students (eligibility and details on the uni page). Open link

 

 

Care-Experienced Travel Career Opportunities (Colchester-focused)

Care-experienced support routes and entry-level opportunities aligned to a career in travel, aviation, transport, and the visitor economy.

 

Travel, aviation and transport first-job routes (watch for intakes)

Opportunity What it is Link
Hays Travel – apprenticeships ‘Learn while you earn’ route into travel retail/customer service through apprenticeships (availability varies). Open link
Hays Travel – Essex vacancies (watch for Colchester/nearby) Live listing of jobs in Essex across retail travel roles (locations vary). Open link
TUI – apprenticeships (UK & Ireland) Includes the Level 3 Travel Consultant apprenticeship (intakes vary by store/location). Open link
British Airways – apprenticeships Apprenticeship routes across areas such as business, engineering and operations (intakes vary). Open link
Virgin Atlantic – apprenticeships Apprenticeship routes (often engineering/technical focused; check current intakes). Open link
Greater Anglia – early careers Early career routes across the rail network (including placements and other programmes; check current opportunities). Open link
London Stansted Airport – apprenticeships Airport ecosystem routes with apprenticeship schemes; useful if commuting is feasible. Open link
ABTA – apprenticeships in the travel industry (sector guidance) Explains the Travel Consultant Apprenticeship and how employers use it (helpful context for applications). Open link

 

Colchester visitor-economy stepping stones (good ‘first experience’)

Opportunity What it is Link
Visit Colchester (destination organisation) Great for understanding local tourism employers, events and visitor economy context; can support networking/target employer lists. Open link
Colchester Zoological Society – careers Local visitor attraction with customer-facing roles (guest services/retail/events) that build travel-ready experience. Open link
Colchester Institute – Adult Learner Course Finder Short courses and adult learning options that can boost employability quickly (customer service, admin, English/Maths, etc.). Open link