Learning and Work Institute worked in partnership with The Carers Federation to improve the support that young adult carers receive in further education. Starting in late 2019, the three-year project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, involved L&W working with 39 further education colleges and college groups, across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Colleges received tailored one-to-one support to review their provision for young adult carers and implement actions to enable them to achieve better outcomes.
National data shows that young adult carers are three times more likely to be NEET (not in education, employment or training) as other young people and five times more likely to drop out of college. By understanding young adult carers’ needs and putting effective support in place and developing effective partnership working with local services, the project aimed to give young adult carers good opportunities to benefit from learning and fulfil their potential.
Taking part in Driving Change resulted in a range of positive outcome for colleges and their young adult carers including: