Care Leavers: a unique employability skillset

This is one of the top skills employers are asking for when recruiting graduates. And it's a skill that Care Leavers have in abundance from, for example, navigating their way into higher education with often little or no support; or overcoming challenges they face on a daily basis with determination to succeed.

If you're a Care Leaver or Care Experienced, we're committed to supporting you throughout your higher education experience, so do get in touch!

• Before you join us, our Outreach Team is here to support you
• Once you're here, our Student Experience Team is your dedicated point of contact.

Communication

The experiences of Care Leavers and Care Experienced students will differ, but usually will have involved working with a range of services, individuals and professionals. They often involve living with different people in different environments.

You'll have experience of communicating and engaging with people from a range of age groups, in different circumstances and in formal and non-formal settings. This is a skill that employers require (and one where some students lack confidence or do not know how to provide examples).

Adaptability

Care Leavers often have experience of adapting to new environments and situations. Some of these have been forced upon them, others are chosen. It's a skill that's likely to allow you to adapt to new work environments quickly and efficiently.

Identifying and recording your skills

These are just a few identified skills; I would need more than a blog to list them all! But in summary, Care Leavers and Care Experienced students have a wealth of skills and experience to demonstrate they are excellent candidates and should be snapped up by employers. The trick is identifying what those skills are and then translating them to potential employers.

If you're not sure what skills you have to offer:

• come along to one of our ‘Confidence in talking about your strengths for Care Leavers’ workshops
• access specific information about career options and opportunities for Care Leavers and Care Experienced students through Career Centre
• learn about some of the opportunities available through the Care Leaver Covenant and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity careers page
• use The Career Centre which has many resources to help with planning your next steps
• book individual appointments to explore ideas.

Find out more about careers and employability support at ARU.

Sarah Sterling, Employability & Careers Adviser

Our Employability Service works with students throughout their time at ARU and after they graduate. The Service offers careers advice, online resources, and help with job searches, applications and interview preparation. Our Employability & Careers Advisers may mention some of these resources and services in their blogs, to give you an idea of the careers support that's on offer at ARU. Some of these resources sit behind a log in and can only be accessed by current students.