Future Pathways (Berkshire)
Click here to see more info and to sign up to Future Pathways Berkshire.
Future Pathways
Future Pathways is a programme of events and workshops for young care experienced people in three regions: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Swindon.
Who is a ‘care experienced’ student?
A care experienced student refers to anyone who has been, or is currently, in care. This care may have been provided in many different settings including: living with foster carers; living in a residential children’s home; being looked after at home under a supervision order or living with friends or relatives in kinship care.
A care leaver is a young person aged 16-25 years old who has been ‘looked after’ at some point since they were 14 years old, and were in care on or after their 16th birthday.
Future Pathways 2025-26
Follow the link below to see what is available in your region.
Brookes & Beyond (Oxfordshire)
Brookes & Beyond is a free programme that has been run by Oxford Brookes University in partnership with Oxford Virtual School since 2021. Similarly to Future Pathways, it helps care experienced young people in years 9-11 learn about university and other options available to them. The sessions are not just about learning, a key element of the programme is to socialise with other young people in similar circumstances.
Please see the Brookes & Beyond 2025/26 flyer below. If you are interested in the opportunities available in Oxfordshire for care experienced young people, or would like more information, please email: brookesandbeyond@brookes.ac.uk
The impact of Future Pathways
Since 2021/22 we have engaged 97 care experienced young people in the Future Pathways programme across a range campus events, workshops and mentoring in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Swindon.
Please click below to download our impact infographic for further insights into the impact of Future Pathways.
Feedback from participants
This programme has helped open my choices to other careers and allowed me to explore my opportunities. I found the trips and programmes very helpful and informative as to post 16 options and other topics. 
Student
[Student] developed so much in confidence, self-worth and self-esteem as they participated in the many different activities you provided for them. Meeting different people, in similar situations to them and in small groups has supported their communication skills in talking to peers and adults. The variety of experiences has widened their knowledge and understanding of the scope of careers and opportunities available. The dedication and passion of the staff at virtual school have supported them in accessing these opportunities as well as supporting their access to their own personal future pathway into further education and university.
Foster Carer
[I found] Meeting people and learning about different paths [helpful].
Student
I feel that it has given those who attended an opportunity to experience environments that provide further/higher education and help them to feel what settings might be best for them in the future. I have seen confidence increase - being able to answer questions in front of a group and leadership skills emerge.
Virtual School Staff
The day spent at Stoke Mandeville Hospital was most inspiring; [the programme] has given them a more positive outlook.
Foster carer
I came on the formula one trip. I liked the man that came to speak about how he grew up in care and how he changed his life around.
Student
One example I can provide is a CLA who has a very clear interest but had been incredibly disengaged with school and didn't see any point in it. Following bespoke visits to a number of Post-16 and Post-18 providers, organised and funded by SH, they were able to define which provider they wanted to move on to and furthermore, discovering the academic entry requirements provided them with the focus and determination they needed in school to make that wish become a reality. They are a changed student.
School Staff
Local Authority (LA) support
Local councils are often able to support care leavers in a number of different ways. The links for each local council support plan, in our regions, can be accessed by clicking on each name in bold below:
Berkshire is covered by the following: West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Reading and Slough.