CARE leavers who apply for a job with Somerset County Council will be guaranteed an interview - regardless of their age now and where they were in care. 

People who have spent a significant amount of time in the care of a local authority before the age of 16 will get an interview if they apply for a role with the council, if they meet the essential job criteria.

Previously, the council guaranteed job interviews for care leavers from Somerset for apprenticeships and its Kickstart scheme, but this has been extended to apply to all posts within the council and to cover people who were in care outside the county. 

Councillor Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: "As a Council we are determined to support care leavers and I am very pleased that we have been able to extend the Guaranteed Interview Scheme in this way." 

Candidates will be able to state in all Somerset County Council job applications if they would like to take advantage of the initiative. 

There are more than 500 looked after children in Somerset, many of whom are aged 12 and over.