The Care Leaver Covenant, is a promise made by any private, public or voluntary organisations to provide support and opportunity for care leavers (A care leaver is someone who has been in the care of the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more spanning their 16th birthday.) aged 16-25 to help them to live independently. In relation to higher and further education institutions, the Covenant asks that institutions consider their activity under three pillars:
- Student: the full student lifecycle, from outreach and application to on course support and then through to graduation.
- Employment: the way in which institutions respond creatively as an employer to diversify their workforce and also support care leaver employees; and
- Community: relationships and engagement with local communities; the civic university role.
This came about in July 2016, when the Government published a major policy document ‘Keep on Caring’ to support young people from care to independence.
This Care Leaver Covenant only operates in England.