Funding help for young parents to learn
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Young parents under the age of 20 with one or more children can get help with child care and travel costs while they learn.
Care to Learn is a government funded initiative which will pay up to £160 per week per child for the young parent's childcare costs if they are the child's main carer. Support will also be available to find suitable childcare vacancies and to find a childcare provider who can meet both the child's and the young parent's individual needs.
Young parents can choose a part time or full time course or learning programme, whether it lasts for a few days or a number of years.
Julie Brown, Care To Learn Co-ordinator said: "It's an aim of the Teenage Pregnancy Partnership to support young parents back into training or education to enable them to develop their skills, increase their independence and improve their future job prospects. Care to Learn offers young parents the support to be able to do this and help overcome the barriers to education and training."
Nicola Watson, 19, is studying a Health and Social Care Diploma at level 3 at City College and her son attends a nearby nursery. Nicola said: "Before my Connexions adviser told me about Care to Learn, I didn't know how I would be able to afford childcare so that I could go to College. Care to Learn helped make it possible for me to do this and I feel I have been well supported. I would recommend Care to Learn to other young parents who are considering going back into education."
To find out more about Care to Learn please call Julie Brown on 024 7678 5901 or e-mail julie.brown@coventry.gov.uk
