Introducing I-CAN: Support for care-leavers in South London

17:00 - 20:00 | 15 May 2024 | Wandsworth Civic Suite

Do you work with care leavers in South West London and want to empower them in deciding their future?

Or are you a care leaver yourself interested in a career in the healthcare sector?

Government data has shown us that in 2023, more than 83,000 children were looked after in the care system across England. Further research has shown that after leaving care, young people often find an immediate decrease in the support available to them, ranging from no longer receiving help in paying their bills or losing priority status on the housing list.

All of those changes can prove challenging. Without the familiar support system that others not in care can rely on, this highlights the necessity to find solutions to support our care-experienced young people.

At this event, hosted at the Wandsworth Civic Suite, we’re looking to unite stakeholders who work with young people in the care system, and those who have recently left, to deliver a new education-based, future-focused pathway to our region’s care-experienced young people.

About I-CAN

Led by the University of Roehampton and funded by the South West London Integrated Care Board, the new Initiating and Supporting Care Leavers into Apprenticeships in Nursing (I-CAN) programme is designed to support young people who have lived in care to pursue a healthcare career.

Through a mix of theoretical and practical training sessions, participants will have the opportunity to explore the health and social care sector not as a recipient of its services, but as a practitioner. Participants will walk away with a GCSE-equivalent qualification, and be guaranteed progression onto the University of Roehampton’s Foundation Degree (FdSc) Nursing Associate programme, helping them to engage with higher education and use their lived experience for the greater good.

We’ll be introducing this new package of support at the event, discussing how those working within the care system can get involved and how our region’s young people can benefit from a career in the health and social care sector.

Agenda

17:00 – 17:30: Drinks and Networking

17:30 – 17:45: Opening and Welcome

Richard Keogh, University of Roehampton

17:45 – 19:00: Panel: The Opportunities and Importance of supporting Care Leavers

Sam Mason/Lorissa Page – SWL Integrated Care Board

Matthew Raleigh – Pan London Compact

Rosie Blackett – The Care Leaver Covenant

Jo Rixon – University of Roehampton Nursing Apprenticeships

Nora Dudley – Future First (Wandsworth Leaving Care Service)

Mark Glaister – London Borough Richmond and Wandsworth Councils (SSA)

19:00 – 19:20: Introduction to I-CAN

Find out more about the programme, why you should get involved and the next step for both employers and young people