From Care2Work

GETTING READY FOR EMPLOYABILITY The following is a suggested fourteen session scheme of work to be delivered with a group of young people who require support in developing their employability prospects. The following includes suggested supporting activities to be completed with a young person and their PA/Leaving Care Worker after their attendance at a session. This is with a view to building on the work begun in a group setting, and therefore giving an opportunity to consider individual career planning. Sessions may vary in length depending on the group, and may require a further session to complete/clarify. Specific objectives/learning outcomes for each session. The learners will be able to: Identify other learners in the group and staff Identify ground rules Explain the term Employability Discuss why people go to work 2

Session

Suggested activities and resources Icebreaker Flipchart and pens Individual folders

Activities from FC2W Career Planning Tool for supporting staff Learning Styles Questionnaire

List points of discussion Visit from a care leaver/past care leaver who has been through an Employability Scheme

Motivating Change

 Consider employability options available 3

Consider apprenticeships, training, employment, work experience, work trials, volunteering. Visit from a Connexions worker to present the different options. Mix and Match card exercise matching the option to the explanation.
Group/pairs create a character,

Use the FC2W Employee Handbook to look at different Employability options. Use the internet to research with the young person

Identify qualities employers are looking for Build the perfect employee for a specific job in pairs/group

Talking about Strengths

building the perfect employee (flip chart paper and pens) Each trainee gives an example of a famous perfect employee and explains why Discuss individual skills and record Visit from an Employer who offers employability opportunities through the local authority Record general requirements (eg. on time) Discuss and record individual requirements Visit from a care leaver who has experience to be able to discuss this topic. Complete list of unacceptable work attire Discuss acceptable language and behaviour at work Why do people loose their jobs? Discuss reasons for both inside and outside the workplace. Use the FC2W Employee Handbook to look at Employer requirements. Skills and Qualities

Continuation of Session 4- Employer and Employee Needs 5

Discuss expectations and appropriate language/ behaviour at work List unacceptable work attire

Continue with the Talking about Strengths exercise if necessary Complete the FC2W Career Plan Assessment

Identify barriers to employability List solutions to barriers List sources of help Explain CRB checks Identify good practice in interviews Discuss the importance of building a record of achievement List interview tips

Consider case studies (real or otherwise) to encourage group to be able to recognise barriers Record findings and general discussion

Giving and Receiving Criticism Discuss groupwork activity and own barriers Look at different job descriptions depending on whether the young person has an idea about their future career Review Skills and Qualities list

Visit from member of staff from HR to give interview tips/support with the role play. Do you have the resources to make an amateur DVD showing good/bad interview techniques? Role play interview scenarios Show a mock record of achievement and discuss what individuals could include (provide portfolios if funding allows) Visit from Connexions PA to begin building individual CVs Use skills list from session 4 to help create individual CVs Consider mock CVs Use mock examples of completed job applications for the group to choose which application would be selected for interview (eg. not only consider the content but the presentation of the application itself) Opportunity to complete their own application How to navigate around the NAS (National Apprenticeship Service)

Building a CV

Use the CV Templates to build on the CV started in Groupwork

Completing job applications 10

Continued support on practising completing applciations

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Apprenticeships

Continued support in considering the NAS website and appropriateness of

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Identify all the elements of a payslip (including tax, national insurance) Opening a bank account
Attend an Open Evening

website (www.apprenticeships.org.uk) How to use appropriate NAS products Visit from your regional/local NAS representative to discuss possible local opportunities Use payslip examples to explain all elements Discuss difference of cash in hand

an Apprenticeship

Use the FC2W Employee Handbook to look at an explanation of a payslip. Support young person in opening a bank account. Attend with the young person and arrange future visits if applicable

This session should be offered to all

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trainees and would be an opportunity for them to speak to someone from the local: colleges; training providers; universities; Connexions and local Employers. Each attendee should have the opportunity to discuss their career options with those in attendance. Personal Advisors/Leaving Care Workers should be invited to support and attend. Ensure CVs are complete Return to the create a character exercise from session 4. Present certificates

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Summarise key learning points of course Present the perfect employee

Continue to work with the young person to plan their next steps.

GUIDANCE FOR STAFF DELIVERY Staff delivering an Employability scheme of work, should consider tailoring the delivery and content of the groupwork in line with the needs of the group. For example: Learning Disabilities groups will benefit from information presented in a clear and varied format. The following is a link to Mencaps website, and their advice on making material clear: www.mencap.org.uk/document.asp?id=1579 Young Parents would be interested in how/where to access available childcare; benefit entitlements (www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Money/FinancialHelpForYoungPeople/DG_10027506), as well as discussions on how to meet the challenge of combining employability opportunities and family roles Young Offenders often have special educational needs (www.yjb.gov.uk/engb/practitioners/Educationtrainingandemployment/SEN/), so additional English and Maths tuition could be linked into each session (with accreditation where possible). Particular attention should be paid to Session 7: the explanation of CRBs (www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk) and discussions around how to disclose a conviction to employers. UASC (Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children) may prefer to focus on developing their employability through available voluntary opportunities (www.do-it.org.uk), or work shadowing.

It is also suggested that staff link with appropriate agencies (eg. Youth Offending Teams) in order to ensure information and support is not being duplicated, and there is a multi agency approach.