Young care leavers to make up 5% of Superdrug’s workforce by 2030

Superdrug has pledged its support of young care leavers this National Care Leavers Week – 28 October to 3 November – as it announces its ambition for care experienced young people to make up 5% of its workforce by 2030. The health and beauty retailer will also give care leavers access to its Life Skills programme to help upskill young people and drive social mobility. As part of its commitment, Superdrug and sister company Savers, are working closely with the Care Leaver Covenant to promote job vacancies across its store estate and assist young people into roles. Dedicated support is then provided to help with job seeking, writing applications, developing skills for life, and general career guidance. Successful candidates are also entitled to expenses to cover travel costs until payday and the full range of benefits available to all staff. They are also offered in-work support through a dedicated work-buddy scheme. In support of National Care Leavers Week, members of the Superdrug team will also be taking part in a webinar organised by the Care Leavers Covenant (CLC) tomorrow (31 October) to talk about retail career opportunities, including apprenticeships, and to answer an questions young people might have. Amy Davies, people director at Superdrug, said: “We’re incredibly passionate about supporting the UK’s young people and giving them the opportunity to develop themselves both personally and professionally. Our aim is not only to give care leavers the best entry into retail that we can, but also to help them grow and develop in their roles, so they choose to progress their careers within our businesses. “We’ve worked hard to be able to offer not just job vacancies, but also provide care leavers with any extra support that they require to get a step up in life, whether they need help with general life skills, such as CV writing or financial wellbeing.” Superdrug is also working closely with the Drive Forward Foundation, a charity helping young adults leaving foster or residential care, offering work placements at its head office over the summer.