FOSTER children will be given the chance to work with a council.

Calderdale councillors have backed a scheme to ensure that looked-after children have the opportunity to get vital work experience with the authority.

Jobs and apprenticeships will be made available to help vulnerable young people who often struggle to find work.

Clr Ashley Evans, Calderdale Cabinet member for lifelong learning, said: “All councillors are Corporate Parents with a responsibility to ensure the continued welfare of all looked-after children in Calderdale.

“Like any parent, we want to ensure that the young people in our care have the best available chance of getting a job or an apprenticeship.

“This idea has widespread support amongst colleagues on the council who are really keen to fulfil their corporate parenting responsibilities.”

The idea came from the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel and was backed by the Cabinet.

Department for Education research shows that 33% of care leavers were not in education, employment or training last year, when there were 65,520 children looked after nationally and around 320 in Calderdale.

Clr Megan Swift, the authority’s deputy leader, said: “The council’s priority is that Calderdale should be a place where every child and young person thrives, is safe and happy.

“But we need also to ensure that the children and young people that we have responsibility for have the best possible start as adults, too.”