A special awards ceremony has recognised the successes of young people from across Staffordshire who have accessed training and career opportunities after leaving care.
Staffordshire County Council’s Supporting Care Leavers into Employment programme provides a range of measures aimed at generating meaningful opportunities for care-experienced young people.
Held at Weston Hall, Stafford, the Staffordshire Care Leavers Awards brought together care experienced young people, their personal advisors and businesses that have partnered with Staffordshire County Council to act as a ‘corporate parent’ and provide options for training and employment.
Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills, said:
Our awards evening was a truly fantastic celebration of the incredible young people who have shown such resilience and courage in embarking on meaningful careers through our programmes.
This demonstrates that care experienced young people can genuinely thrive when they are given the right opportunities and supported by people who care. The county council is committed to supporting talent, skills and inclusive growth across Staffordshire.”
Supporting Care Leavers into Employment includes the Pathways to Success and Own Your Future initiatives, which offers a range of training in different sectors as well as entrepreneurship support.
Accolades were presented to:
Above and Beyond Award: Maddy Simcock – Pathways to Succes Beauty programme with Curlita Beauty
Pathways Pioneer Award: Josh Avis – Pathways to Success Construction programme with the Spark Group
Rising Star Award: Ollie Fullard – Pathways to Success Construction programme with the Spark Group
Business Star: Iman Ejaro – Own Your Future, start-up dessert business
Future Pathways Advocate: Jess Williams – Own Your Future, start-up lash business
Supporting Care Leavers into Employment Champions: Ed Smith, Ethan Newton, and Drew Deakin – participating and shaping SCLE courses
Care Experienced Young Person of the Year 2026: McKenzie Hulme – Pathways to Success Construction programme with the Spark Group
Businesses can support care leavers by contributing to a bursary pot, which helps with costs such as driving lessons, topping up university fees and funding training courses, details available on the programme webpage.
By partnering with Staffordshire County Council as a corporate parent, businesses can also create opportunities for care leavers by engaging with initiatives, including Pathways to Success, Own Your Future and The Guaranteed Interview Pathway.
For more information, people can contact: supportingcareleaversemployment@staffordshire.gov.uk
