The Civil Service Care Leaver Internship Scheme provides ring-fenced 12-month paid employment opportunities for care leavers aged 18-30 across the country. With no formal qualifications required, the scheme is a prime example of potential-based recruitment.

The Civil Service does not just pride itself as a role model for diverse recruitment, but also demonstrates the power of supportive and informed management. This is thanks to the extensive training line-managers receive from our team and volunteers. 

Our training is also care-experienced led! In our last training session we were joined by

Farhia

, who completed the internship scheme and now works in the Department of Health and Social Care. Farhia spoke about the ways that care leavers are well placed to understand the public institutions as a result of their time in care. This means that care-experienced young people have a lot to offer compared to their non care-experienced peers. Farhia also explained the ways in which line managers can create an atmosphere conducive to a successful placement. Being compassionate, supportive and avoiding sensitive questions about a person's time in care can help make young people feel more comfortable.

“I am over 2 months into my Civil Service internship, and I have already learnt so much. At the Civil Service they allow you to get used to your role and encourage questions. I’m only able to have this opportunity thanks to Drive Forward, who walked me through the application step by step and provided multiple interview prep sessions. They encouraged me to believe that I did have the skills to apply for the role and supported me through the process. It is often difficult being a care leaver and having to live independently with no support. However, as a result of this internship I feel like I am in a better position to further my career and support myself. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in working in the Civil Service to apply.” – DFF Young Person

The Civil Service Care Leaver Internship scheme does

not

require any prior qualifications or work experience. Care-experienced applicants are encouraged to use examples of experiences and skills acquired across all aspects of their lives. This can be demonstrating excellent communication and conflict resolution skills when standing up for their younger siblings in school, to effective prioritisation and project management skills gained throughout their experience of moving into independent living and furnishing a home on a limited budget.