Compass and Springboard help care leavers find employment in hospitality

With the launch of the Care Leaver Covenant, Compass Group UK & Ireland is partnering with hospitality industry charity Springboard and Government delivery partner Spectra First, who support young people to realise their best outcomes, to provide support for those leaving care looking for employment in the hospitality sector.

There are approximately 70,000 children in care in England and by committing to the Care Leaver Covenant promise the business is giving care leavers a great opportunity to start a career in the food services industry and really flourish. In partnership with Springboard, Compass is offering a two-week pre-employability programme resulting in a guaranteed interview for a live vacancy within the business. If successful and following completion of a probationary period, care leavers can progress onto one of 31 different apprenticeship courses as part of their career development and most importantly sustainable employment.

Matthew Gordon, CEO, Spectra First, comments: “The Care Leaver Covenant seeks to create practical, specific offers, by organisations in the private and voluntary sectors, to support care leavers aged 16-25 in living independently. It is a long-term commitment, not only to offer training, work, housing, healthcare or financial support, but to a different way of working and thinking that embraces the positive contributions that care leavers can make.”

Donna Catley, HR Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland adds: “We think everybody deserves the same opportunity and by working with these great charities and the Department for Education we believe we can successfully help integrate young people coming out of care into the working environment.”

Nikki Kelly, Fundraising and Marketing Director, Springboard, sums up the partnership: “I am delighted that Springboard are working in partnership with Compass Group UK & Ireland and Spectra First to deliver better outcomes for care leavers through the government’s Care Leaver Covenant. This partnership will now see a dedicated employment programme for care leavers offering one-to-one mentoring, pre and post-employment support, work experience and employment opportunities.

“Our partnership demonstrates the benefits of working together, engaging with national initiatives that deliver local outcomes, and discovering new talent within our communities that provides support and nurtures talented young people into the hospitality sector.”