A fostering agency based in Mansfield has hosted a work experience week to help young people in care and those connected to the services across the country.

According to the Resolution Foundation’s report, those aged between 18-24 were two and a half times more likely to be out of work, whether this was through furloughing or unemployment, than all other age groups.

With the pandemic hitting this demographic more than any other age group, Fosterplus, part of Polaris, one of the UK’s largest leading communities of children’s service providers, launched a work experience opportunity aimed towards children and young people who would usually be looking for experience at this time of year.

For the last 20 years, Fosterplus has continued to transform the lives of vulnerable children across the UK and has now pledged to further enhance young people’s future, by providing work experience sessions.

Attendees were presented with the opportunity to learn work skills from across the organisation, including IT, marketing, media training, finance and management.

Fosterplus offered a variety of 60-90-minute online workshops. These courses included exercises and challenges so those involved could pick up some practical knowledge while having some fun.

Jenny Huggins, registered manager at Fosterplus, commented: “It has been an extremely tough school year, particularly for those at SATS and GCSE ages. Many will be looking to go to college, start an apprenticeship or head out to work in the next few years and it can be hard to know exactly what you want to do for a career.

“Usually, at this age, work experience placements are arranged to help them try out a range of different work environments and support their further education choices. As part of our academy we wanted to offer young people in our community the chance to experience working within our organisation.”

Fosterplus is an independent fostering agency that currently takes care of children across England and Scotland.
For more information about becoming a foster parent, call the friendly team on 0800 369 8512 or visit https://www.fosterplus.co.uk/locations/mansfield/