Find information on the Achievement Service for Nottinghamshire looked after young people aged 16-17 and care leavers aed 18-24.
You can also download the full Local Offer for Care Leavers Achievement Offer [PDF].
On this page
- What is the Achievement Service
- Apprenticeships
- Careers guidance
- Higher education
- Industry
- Education
- Volunteering
- Experience
- Mentoring
- Employment
- New skills
- Training
- World of work
What is the Achievement Service?
The Achievement Service is here to support Nottinghamshire looked after young people aged 16–17 and care leavers aged 18–24.
The aim is to help you aspire and achieve in whichever career path you choose. This could be:
- studying at college or university
- doing an apprenticeship
- on-the-job training
- succeeding in the world of work.
The Achievement Service offers support, advice, and guidance until your 25th birthday.
Achievement advisers work with your social worker (if you are looked after), your personal adviser, the 21Plus Service (if you are aged 21–24), and other professionals to help you plan your journey in education, employment, or training. This could include being part of your Pathway Plan, supporting your Personal Education Plan, or completing an employability assessment to explore opportunities and agree on the support you need.
The Achievement Service works closely with partner agencies and organisations to improve opportunities for you. This is an extension of the Local Offer for Care Leavers and is called the ‘Achievement Offer’.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine practical on-the-job training with study. You will earn a wage, develop job-specific skills, and learn about topics related to your role.
Apprenticeships can also be a great way to gain recognition within an organisation. The Leaving Care Service works with partners to identify apprenticeship opportunities for care leavers, including roles within Nottinghamshire County Council.
If you meet the criteria to start an apprenticeship, the Achievement Service can help you find the right opportunity and support you throughout. If you do not yet meet the criteria, they will work with you to develop your skills and qualifications so you can still follow this pathway.
For more information, speak to your personal adviser or email achievement@nottscc.gov.uk.
The Achievement Offer includes:
- Access to Nottinghamshire care leaver apprenticeships
- Access to national apprenticeships
- Top-up of wages to match the National Living Wage (if living independently)
- Supporting you with any issues with your Right to Work in an apprenticeship if you identify as not being a UK citizen
- Help resolving issues with Right to Work if you are not a UK citizen
- Additional support to find employment after completing your apprenticeship
- Access to a £3,000 bursary while completing your apprenticeship
Careers guidance
If you're unsure about your future career, careers guidance can help you explore the best options for you.
The Achievement Service works with Futures to link you with a professional careers adviser. They can help you understand what's available and work with your personal adviser and the Achievement Service to create a plan that suits your goals.
It's okay to feel unsure about your future. Careers guidance can support you in identifying opportunities and making informed choices at your own pace.
What’s included in the offer
- Careers guidance and planning with a qualified adviser
- Access to the National Careers Service
- Regular Pathway Plans, Personal Education Plans and Employability Assessments
- Online and in-person drop-in sessions
- Career-focused workshops and skill-building sessions
Higher education
Going to university or exploring other higher education options can feel overwhelming. The Achievement Service can help you explore your choices so you can make informed decisions and get the best start.
Once you're on a course, your personal adviser will continue to support you with accommodation, finances and making sure the course is right for you. We’ll also help you connect with the care leaver support team at your university.
What’s included in the offer
- Help to research and choose a university
- Support to attend open days (a personal adviser can accompany you if needed)
- Link to an academic mentor
- Help completing your UCAS application
- Financial planning support, including help applying for student finance, loans and bursaries (including childcare costs if you're a parent or carer)
- Support arranging accommodation during term time and university holidays, including help covering some costs (depending on your leaving care eligibility the leaving care team may be able to support you)
- Access to a £2,000 higher education bursary for care leavers
- Funding for specialist equipment or course-related support
- Help finding a work placement or work experience if it's part of your course
- Ongoing support throughout your course in partnership with your university
- Guidance to explore postgraduate options once you finish your course
Industry
The Achievement Service works with partner organisations and local employers to help you access the world of work.
A dedicated Business Engagement Achievement Adviser works directly with local and regional industries to set up opportunities such as:
- Work taster days
- Apprenticeships
- Job vacancies
We also link with the D2N2 Chamber of Commerce (covering Derbyshire, Derby City, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City) to expand your options across the region.
What’s included in the offer
- A Business Engagement Achievement Adviser who builds connections with industry professionals
- Access to a database of local and regional employers and job opportunities
- Regular communications to industry professionals sharing care leaver success stories and explore new ways to work together
- Attendance at industry events to promote care leaver employment
- Work taster days in a variety of job settings
Education
Everyone’s education journey is different. You might have had a positive experience, or you may have faced challenges. Whatever your path has been, the Achievement Service will support you to find the right course and build the skills you need for your future.
What’s included in the offer
- If you are under 18, your social worker and the Virtual School will help you plan for post-16 education and then use your Personal Education Plan (PEP) to review these plans three times a year until your 18th birthday.
- Help to find and choose suitable courses at local colleges or training providers
- Support to attend open days — we can go with you if you’d like
- Work with your chosen education provider to make sure you get the best support
- Support to build your Maths and English skills, which are key for employment or further learning
- Support you to apply for financial support, including college bursaries and childcare if you are a parent
- Support to access any equipment, clothing, or materials needed for your course
- Help to join specialist courses if you're already in training or work
- Access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, if you need it
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, build new skills, and gain valuable experience. It can also help boost your confidence and improve your future employment opportunities.
The Achievement Service works with organisations like Inspire & Achieve Foundation and The King's Trust to help you find volunteering opportunities that suit your interests and goals.
What’s included in the offer
- Access to the Nottinghamshire County Council Volunteering Scheme
- Volunteering opportunities through Inspire & Achieve Foundation, The Prince’s Trust, and other voluntary organisations
- Information about local volunteering opportunities through local centres
- Possible assistance with travel costs and childcare if needed
- Help to apply for funding for specialist courses, equipment, or clothing needed for your role
- Support to identify the skills you gain through volunteering and how to use them when applying for paid work and career opportunities.
Experience
The Achievement Service wants you to have the best opportunities to learn about the world of work. You’ll be supported to explore different careers through taster days or work experience placements. You can also choose to share your experiences to support other young people.
What’s included in the offer
- Work experience placements with local businesses and organisations, including Nottinghamshire County Council
- Free access to online work experience opportunities within Nottinghamshire County Council
- Help with travel costs, clothing, or specialist equipment needed for work experience
- Support with childcare costs if you are a parent or carer
- Access to ‘Care2Work’ if you are aged 16 or 17 and not in education, employment or training
- Opportunities to share your experiences with the Achievement Service
Mentoring
A mentor is someone who can support you with your goals by sharing their experience and advice. Mentoring can help you build confidence and give you guidance around employment, education or life skills.
If you're applying for university, the Achievement Service can connect you with an academic mentor from Nottingham Trent University. You can also share your own experiences to support other young people on their journey.
What’s included in the offer
- Access to the Inspire & Achieve Foundation mentoring programme
- Support to engage with a DWP work coach and access to mentoring circles (if you're claiming Universal Credit or looking for work)
- Access through Nottingham Trent University to an academic mentor if you're applying for or thinking of going to university
- Possible assistance with travel costs to and from mentoring sessions, and someone to attend the first meeting with you if needed
- Advice and support for mentors to understand the experiences of care leavers
- Opportunities to become a peer mentor and share your own journey (in person, via pre-recorded video, or virtually)
Employment
You might want to go into work straight after school, or you may need to build more skills or qualifications first. Sometimes there might be limits on the work you can do. Whatever your situation, the Achievement Service can help you explore your options and offer guidance along the way.
What’s included in the offer
- Financial help for work clothing, equipment, or initial travel expenses
- Help with job searching and contact with Futures, Joc Centre Plus (DWP) and other employment opportunities and support
- Help claiming work-related benefits or support with childcare costs if you're a parent or carer
- Supporting you with any issues with your Right to Work in an apprenticeship if you identify as not being a UK citizen
- A guaranteed interview for Nottinghamshire County Council jobs, if you’re a care leaver and meet the basic job criteria
New skills
Everything you do in life helps you develop useful skills that can support your current or future employment. Sometimes you may need a bit of extra support along the way.
In Nottinghamshire, young people achieve amazing things every day. It’s important to recognise and celebrate those moments—whether it’s graduating from university, completing work experience, getting a job, or even being shortlisted for an interview.
What’s included in the offer
- Access to DWP work preparation and skills days
- “What It’s Like…” sessions with industry professionals to explore different career paths
- Free access to Nottinghamshire County Council's Induction to the Workforce online modules
- Celebrate your successes with you (which may include financial support around celebration events achievements, such graduation gown hire or attending award ceremonies)
Training
A traineeship is a skills development programme that includes a work placement lasting between six weeks and 12 months. It’s aimed at young people aged 16 to 24 who are unemployed and have little work experience.
You may also want to do some training or development while in work, and there may be support availanle forr this.
What’s included in the offer
- Help finding traineeships, including opportunities with Inspire Culture and Learning
- Support to access a study programme if you're not ready for a traineeship
- Financial help with clothing, equipment, travel costs or lunch allowance while on a traineeship or study programme
- Practical and financial support to access training that supports your employment
- Help funding courses as part of your ongoing professional development
World of work
The Achievement Service has links with a range of local, national and international employers who provide ‘employability briefings’. These sessions give care leavers the chance to learn about different industries and explore potential career paths.
Some of the employers involved include:
- Sainsbury’s
- Whitbread
- Premier Inn
- Nottinghamshire Police
- Nottingham Playhouse
- Balfour Beatty
- East Midlands Airport
- Treat Kitchen (Nottingham)
- NHS
- Amazon
- Toyota
- Boots
- DHL
- John Lewis Partnership
Care leavers interested in attending an employability briefing can speak to their social worker or personal adviser, or email achievement@nottscc.gov.uk for more information.
Businesses interested in providing opportunities for care leavers are encouraged to contact the business engagement achievement adviser at achievement@nottscc.gov.uk.