Doncaster Council launches guaranteed interview scheme for care leavers
It's as half of those leaving care in the district are struggling to find work or educational opportunities
The City of Doncaster Council will introduce a guaranteed interview scheme for care leavers to assist young people with care experience into employment.
Announced today (March 21, 2025), the scheme follows a report to the council cabinet on March 12, 2025, which showed only 52 per cent of care leavers, aged between 19-21, were in work, education or training in the third quarter of 2024/25
It was significantly lower than the target of 72 per cent and a reduction on the 65 per cent in the quarter before.
The new scheme being launched by the council will work to address potential barriers faced by care-experienced individuals.
Fay, 19, a care leaver, said: “I was in one interview, and it was going well, then I was asked questions about where I lived.
“I brought up the fact that I was in care, and lived in a care home. I could see from that point that the person interviewing me went cold and was no longer interested. I later found out I didn’t get the job.”
Under the scheme, care-experienced individuals applying for non-school vacancies within Doncaster Council will be automatically shortlisted for interviews if they meet all the essential criteria outlined in a role’s person specification.
The council said it defines “care-experienced individuals” as:
Individuals who have been in care for a total of 13 weeks or more since their 14th birthday, including at least one day while they were 16 or 17 years old.
Individuals who were in care for any period on or after their 16th birthday.
Fay added: “I think this new scheme is amazing because it will give more opportunities to care for experienced people that need them.”
The report presented to cabinet earlier in the month said care leavers not in employment, education or training was a “key area of work” which needed improvement.
Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “Too often, care experienced people face discrimination in the jobs market and have worse outcomes than their peers.
“They are a diverse community that possesses skills and a unique perspective that is often gained by navigating significant life challenges.
“Our new Care Leavers Interview Guarantee Interview Scheme is not just about providing an opportunity; it’s about recognising the valuable skills and experiences these individuals bring to the table.”
She encouraged local organisations to get in touch and join the authority in offering care leavers guaranteed interviews.
Another care leaver, Abbey, 23, said: “I think this is brilliant.
“I feel care leavers can be discriminated against so utilising this would bypass any prejudice and allow us to be seen for who we are as individuals and not just who we are on paper, because of our experiences we are not always able to articulate on paper what skills we possess.”
Rayo Premium