Spectra, the DfE delivery partner for the Care Leaver Covenant is a company working to create a society where opportunity and achievement are open to everyone. Spectra is a social value agency aiming is to break down structural barriers to opportunities, for both organisations and their employees, to help them collectively fulfil their potential. Spectra champions social change to create lasting social equity as they believe people want to study and work at places that do good in the world.
The Care Leaver Covenant, is a promise made by any private, public or voluntary organisations to provide support and opportunity for care leavers aged 16-25 to help them to live independently. In relation to higher and further education institutions, the Covenant asks that institutions consider their activity under three pillars:
- Student: the full student lifecycle, from outreach and application to on course support and then through to graduation.
- Employment: the way in which institutions respond creatively as an employer to diversify their workforce and also support care leaver employees; and
- Community: relationships and engagement with local communities; the civic university role.