Learning and Work Institute welcomes the strategically important inquiry from the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee. We hope that our evidence aids the Committee is making recommendations to Government that will strengthen and protect employment and employment support for young people. We have intentionally placed specific emphasis on disadvantaged young people in this submission.
Learning and Work has championed young adult carers and young carers for many years and is engaged in work to improve educational and employment outcomes for those groups. We believe it is important for the Committee to take a view on how systems across DWP, and indeed DfE and across Government, work in or against the interest of young people facing educational, economic and social disadvantages.
12 March 2025
Making a difference for young adult carers in higher education
Young adult carers are 38% less likely to gain a degree qualification than other young people – but recent research from UCAS shows that many young adult carers still aspire to university. As Jackie Woodhouse, Research Manager at Learning and Work Institute writes, this should be a wake-up call for the higher education sector.
21 November 2024
“I returned that evening with a renewed sense of purpose and passion to advocate for young adult carers within my university.”
To mark Carers Rights Day 2024, young adult carer Holly reflects on her experience meeting Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
21 November 2024
“Being a carer has been a part of my identity for as long as I can remember. But until the age of 18, I didn’t know that this role even had a name.”
To mark Carers Rights Day 2024, young adult carer Farzana reflects on her right to an education and support – and how it can be difficult to recognise your rights without recognition for your caring role.
21 November 2024
“Although it was always my desire to continue my studies in higher education, without the support I received I’m not sure that I would have got so many offers.”
To mark Carers Rights Day 2024, young adult carer Kelly looks back on the crucial support she received from her college and local carers centre.
28 November 2023
Driving Change in Higher Education
Learning and Work Institute is working in partnership with The Carers Federation with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to improve the support that young adult carers receive in higher education.
23 November 2023
“No young adult carer should miss out on learning because they care for their families. We are writing to call on you to exempt young adult carers from the 21 hour rule.”
To mark Carers Rights Day 2023, L&W and Carers Trust published an open letter calling on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to exempt young adult carers from the 21 hour rule in the benefits system.
5 June 2023
We still care
Following the conclusion of Move On Up, a six-year housing pilot between Commonweal Housing and Quaker Social Action, this report warns that unpaid carers aged 16-25 face potential homelessness unless their housing needs are urgently met with policy.
10 June 2020
Move On Up
Learning and Work Institute evaluated the delivery of Move On Up, a housing and support project for young adult carers, delivered by Quaker Social Action (QSA) in partnership with Commonweal Housing.
28 April 2020
Driving Change – supporting young adult carers in further education
Learning and Work Institute worked in partnership with The Carers Federation to improve the support that young adult carers receive in further education.
