City University London helps care leavers into world of work with Islington Council

City University London is taking part in a unique scheme run by Islington Council designed to help care leavers access career opportunities.

The University is currently hosting one care leaver on a work experience placement and has another in full-time employment thanks to Islington Career Start. City is the only University in the country to take part in such a scheme, which is specifically aimed at care leavers as they may not have the same kind of work-based opportunities and networks as those in traditional families.

John Kempton, HR manager at City University London, says: ìWidening Participation is one of our key remits. Care leavers lack support when it comes to finding jobs and understanding the demands of todayís workplace. We are helping to change that situation and getting a committed and skilled addition to the team.

Julie Phillips, a 21-year-old Islington care leaver, is currently undertaking a three month placement in Cityís Community and Health Sciences School. She works for three days a week as a research assistant and the skills and experience she is gaining are designed to help her achieve her goal of becoming a biological scientist.

Julie, who has no contact with her family, hopes to study biochemistry and microbiology at university. ìWithout this scheme it would have been difficult to get experience in what I want to do. At City I get very good support and advice; they talk me through the process of what Iím doing and give me step by step instructions.î

Nikki Smith, employment and training coordinator for looked after children and care leavers at Islington Council, says: ìCity University London is one of our key partners and consistently offers good support to the local community and its young people. It is an organisation which can offer diverse opportunities.