Education and Training

We want to make sure every care experienced young person has the support to achieve their goals in life. We will offer you support to access education and training opportunities, and provide information on opportunities specifically for care leavers or care experienced young people.  

Apprenticeships

If you would like to do an apprenticeship, we can:

  • work with you to identify an apprenticeship that would suit you. 
  • support you to attend interviews. 
  • support you to apply for the £3000 apprenticeship bursary. This is paid in instalments over the first year of the apprenticeship.  
  • support you to buy tools, equipment, and essential clothing. 
  • share opportunities for apprenticeships within the council 
  • share opportunities with our partners who provide a guaranteed interview.  

Further education (college)  

We have lots of links with colleges in and around Newcastle. We will:

  • help you get to open days and go with you to them. 
  • help you apply to courses. 
  • link you in with pastoral teams who can help you while you’re at college and understand what support you need. 
  • help you access any bursaries or other funds the college might provide.  

If you live outside of Newcastle and the North East we can still work with you to find the right college and the right course for you.  

Higher education (university) 

Whatever age you are, your LCSO can:  

  • help you apply for university
  • help you apply to student finance for your course fees and maintenance loan.  
  • link you in with student services and support staff where you study, and if you would like us to, link in with them ourselves to see how we can help. 
  • help you to access any bursaries or any other funds that might be provided.  

If you start your full-time undergraduate course before your 21st birthday and are a ‘former relevant’ care leaver, we will:

  • provide a £2000 bursary, paid over three years to help with the cost of books and equipment. 
  • support you in finding student accommodation during term time and holidays. 
  • pay £135 per week towards your university accommodation and utility bills. 
  • support with travel costs home twice yearly, on a discretionary basis.  
  • provide support to get vacation accommodation

If you are doing a Master’s degree, we will support you by paying £100 a week towards your university accommodation for one year.