Education, training and careers for 16 to 18s

Information and advice to help young people prepare for their future.

If you, or the young person you are supporting, are care experienced

What we mean by care experienced

A care experienced young person is someone who is, or has been:

  • in care for more than 13 weeks after their 14th birthday, including time on or after their 16th birthday
  • in independent or semi-independent accommodation
  • with foster carers as a looked after child
  • in a residential home
  • adopted after being in care 

We have team members who work solely with young people who are care experienced to help them get into education, employment or training. 

How we can help

If you or the young person you are supporting would like some help to get into education, employment or training, there are several ways we can help.

If you are aged 16 to 18 (or up to age 24 if an EHCP is active) and you have a Social Worker, Personal Adviser or Virtual School Education Adviser based at Croydon Council:

  • Your Social Worker and allocated Virtual School Education Adviser will support with plans for education, employment or training. 
  • Your Personal Education Plan (PEP) will outline progress towards your educational goals.
  • Your Virtual School Education Adviser may suggest a referral to a NEET caseworker for additional support.

 

If you are aged 19 to 21 and you have a Social Worker, Personal Adviser or Virtual School Education Adviser based at Croydon Council:

  • Your Personal Adviser or Social Worker will support you to achieve your education, employment and training goals as part of their ongoing work with you.  This work will be part of your regular Pathway Plan.   
  • You can visit us at our Drop In (see below for details).


If you are aged 16 to 18  (up to age 24 if an EHCP is active), and you live in Croydon, but your link Social Worker or Personal Adviser is not based at Croydon Council:

  • Visit us at our Drop In (see below for details) or
  • Request the support of a caseworker, who will work with you or the young person to find an appropriate pathway by  referring a young person.

Weekly Drop In

Visit us at our weekly Drop In service. There is no need to book.  

We can help you get into education, employment or training, including:

  • job applications
  • preparing for interviews
  • creating a CV
  • connecting you to employment and training opportunities

Drop in day: Every Wednesday

Time: 2pm to  4pm

Location: 
The Turnaround Centre
51-55 South End
Croydon CR0 1BF

Other support available

Find out what other support you are entitled to ,download the Croydon Local Offer for our Care experienced young people (PDF, 1.2MB)

You can also find out more via our Croydon Cares app, available on the App Store or on Google Play.

If there is anything that you would like to ask or discuss, contact us at: StepsToSuccess@croydon.gov.uk.