'Left behind' | Care leavers three times more likely to be 'locked out' of work opportunities

Young people who have experienced the care system in England are nearly three times more likely to be out of work than their peers, according to recent analysis.

The Drive Forward Foundation - a charity dedicated to supporting care-experienced young people aged 16-26 in London into sustainable and fulfilling employment, education, and training -  warns that standard recruitment practices are locking thousands out of employment - an issue widely considered by campaigners to be a long-standing failure of the labour market to reach one of the most disadvantaged groups of young people.

A survey of employers commissioned by the charity found that while more than eight in 10 said they would consider hiring care-experienced young people, relatively few adapt recruitment processes to account for non-linear work histories or gaps in CVs. Nearly half of employers said they never adjust job descriptions or recruitment language to remove unnecessary barriers, and one in four reported having no specific measures in place to support care-experienced candidates into work.

Employers commonly cited issues such as confidence, mental health challenges and limited work experience as obstacles. However, Drive Forward Foundation argues these concerns are often symptoms of wider circumstances beyond an individual’s control, including housing instability, financial pressure, caring responsibilities and the absence of family support networks that many young people rely on when starting work.