Posted on Thursday 5th June 2025
Matt Webb (far left) pictured with the 1Step Beyond Support team.
A Staffordshire business which provides supported living accommodation is answering a county council call to make a difference to care leavers by offering employment and skills opportunities.
Cannock-based 1Step Beyond Support Ltd was set up in 2022, providing supported accommodation for people with learning disabilities, autism, and challenges related to mental health.
It has now signed up to Staffordshire County Council’s recently launched Supporting Care Leavers into Employment programme, offering an employment opportunity to a care leaver and practical help with interview training.
The Supporting Care Leavers into Employment programme matches businesses with young people who have the right skills for new opportunities, tapping into a wealth of skills.
It utilises the Staffordshire Jobs and Careers service – set up by the county council last year to provide a fully funded employment matching service for businesses and job-seekers. Working with the county council’s social care team, the programme ensures care leavers find employment or apprenticeships suitable for their needs, while businesses take on new employees right for the position they’re advertising.
1Step Beyond joint director Matt Webb attended a programme breakfast event last month and decided to get involved after being inspired by a presentation by two care leavers.
Matt said:
We’ve offered to take on a care leaver within our team, providing valuable work experience, mentorship and the opportunity to progress into longer-term employment.”
The company is also part of the national Care Leaver Covenant, which is running as a pilot programme in Staffordshire, and has already achieved the Gold standard for its commitment to care leaver support.
Matt added:
We’re offering practical help such as interview training and have welcomed the opportunity to work directly with the Covenant’s team, which now visits us to help connect care leavers with our services. We wanted to open the doors to our offices for people to come in and help them get the training they need - because when you feel supported, good things happen.
In our sector, care is more than just a word - it’s a value that should guide everything we do. If we don’t genuinely care, we need to ask ourselves whether we’re in the right line of work.
For me, it’s all about offering people the support, guidance and mentoring they need to move forward. While we may not have unlimited resources, giving our time costs little - and yet it can make a huge difference.”
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Martin Murray said:
1Step Beyond should be commended for embracing its role as a corporate parent and a commitment to giving care leavers invaluable opportunities. This will really make a difference in their lives.
We know there are so many of these young people with the talent, ambition and enthusiasm to successfully fill a range of positions and help to boost businesses’ productivity.
Our Supporting Care Leavers into Employment programme will match suitable candidates to a business’s needs when looking to recruit. We’d urge more to get in touch with our team and find out more.
We wish 1Step Beyond and care leavers involved in the programme every success for the future.”
Matt said:
As an initiative this programme has the potential to pave the way for long-term positive change for Staffordshire County Council and us as providers.
It’s not just about offering someone employment; it’s about giving someone the tools and experiences that have a positive impact on their life.”
Over 1,000 Staffordshire young people between the ages of 16 and 25 have lived with a foster family, in a children’s home or other supported housing service. And despite being very capable and having a lot to offer, care leavers are significantly less likely to be in education, employment or training.
People can find out more on the Care Leavers into Employment webpage.