John Lewis Partnership has this year offered 143 jobs to young people with experience of the care system, as part of its pledge to improve support for care leavers.

This is a sixfold increase on the previous year.

Since launching its Building Happier Futures programme in 2022 to support care leavers, it has also raised £2.2m for charities supporting young people who have been in care.

Other support the Partnership offers to care leavers is work experience placements, CV writing sessions and help with interview skills.

So far 550 care leavers have engaged with its programme, which includes a partnership with the Open University to boost care leavers’ access to higher education. Eight student scholarships are being funded this year, taking the total to 12 since 2023.

“As I reflect on the progress that is being made and the impact that the Building Happier Futures programme has had two years in, it reinforces my belief in our Partnership as a truly different kind of business, which places our purpose; to work in partnership for a happier world, at its heart,” said John Lewis Partnership interim executive director of people Jo Rackham.

“A genuine thank you to all those involved in realising our 2024 impacts; we’re only two years in but we’re building momentum and are excited to see where we’ll all be a further 12 months from now.”

Backing the Partnership’s care leaver programme is children’s minister Janet Daby.

“We know that for many young people, leaving care can be intimidating and overwhelming, which is why it’s fantastic to see the work that the John Lewis Partnership is doing to support care experienced young people with opportunities to build their skills and fulfil their potential,” she said.

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