Employers Slow to Adapt, Locking Out Care Leavers from Jobs

A new survey has revealed that while many companies say they are willing to hire young people with care experience, few have actually made changes to their recruitment processes to accommodate this vulnerable population. The Drive Forward Foundation, a charity focused on supporting care leavers, warns that this is leaving thousands of young people in England locked out of the workforce.

According to the charity's findings, care leavers are almost three times more likely to be out of work than their peers who did not grow up in the care system. This disparity highlights the significant barriers these young people face in transitioning to independent adult life and securing stable employment.

Despite employers' stated openness to hiring care-experienced candidates, the Drive Forward Foundation says companies have been slow to adapt their practices to be more inclusive and accessible. Simple changes like offering more flexibility, providing mentorship, or adjusting application requirements could make a big difference, but many firms have yet to implement such measures.

The charity is now calling on employers to turn their promises into action and demonstrate a genuine commitment to creating opportunities for care leavers. By updating their recruitment processes and workplace cultures, businesses can help break down the systemic challenges that have long prevented this vulnerable population from accessing meaningful employment.