A new initiative designed to improve employment outcomes for care leavers is being launched by North East Lincolnshire Council. The Family Enterprise programme has been developed to support young people transitioning out of care by offering tailored training, skills development, and access to local employment opportunities.
The scheme is aimed at care leavers who often face significant barriers when entering adulthood, including limited support networks, instability, and a lack of inspiring role models. Nationally, 41 percent of care leavers aged 19 to 21 are not in education, employment or training. Locally, this figure is even higher. Many care leavers are also overrepresented in youth custody and vulnerable to exploitation, with long-term impacts on health and life expectancy.
The Family Enterprise programme has been shaped with input from young people and builds on the success of a pilot scheme run within the council over the summer. That test phase provided valuable insight and helped ensure the full programme is designed around the real needs and aspirations of care-experienced young people.
Participants will take part in an 8 to 12-week learning programme delivered by CPO, a Grimsby based training provider. The programme includes skills assessments, confidence-building activities, accredited training, and wellbeing support. On completion, young people will be linked with local employers for work experience, voluntary roles, or apprenticeships.
North East Lincolnshire is already home to more than 150 Foster Friendly businesses and a network of committed partners. The council is now inviting local employers to consider how they might support the scheme by offering opportunities that could help a young person take their first steps into the world of work.
Councillor Margaret Cracknell, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education said:
“This programme is a vital step forward in helping care leavers access meaningful employment opportunities. By working closely with local businesses and partners, we are creating pathways that support young people into work, training or further education.”
Ann-Marie Matson, Director of Children’s Services at North East Lincolnshire Council spoke at the launch and said:
“Our care leavers have so much potential, and this programme is about giving them the chance to thrive. It has been shaped with their voices at the heart, and I hope our community will come together to support them. When young people feel seen, heard and supported, the outcomes can be life changing.”
The first full cohort of the Family Enterprise programme is due to launch in January 2026.
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