The award-winning team that's turning young lives around
Lancashire County Council’s Virtual School's Employment and Support Team has been hailed for its life-changing work with young people.
The team won three prestigious categories at the Children & Young People Now Awards 2025, beating off competition from more than 400 entries nationwide, including:
- Children in Care Award – recognising exceptional teamwork and improved outcomes for looked-after children.
- Advice and Guidance Award – for outstanding careers and progression support.
- Public Sector Children’s Team Award – celebrating best practice and impact in improving outcomes for children and families.
As part of Lancashire’s Virtual School, the 12-strong team provides careers advice and employment support for care-experienced young people aged 16–25, whether they live in Lancashire or beyond. Their work includes school visits, giving options advice from Key Stage 3 onwards, termly careers guidance for Years 10 and 11, and tailored support for post 16 in education, training, and employment.
Charlotte Iddon, Employment and Support Team Manager, said:
“We are a team based across Lancashire, doing aspirational work in schools and talking to young people early to raise their goals and aspirations for the future. We’ve seen incredible success stories – for example young people who left school with no qualifications, but with small steps into education and employment now are studying degrees at university, and others who started as apprentices and are now in permanent roles.”
Currently supporting around 300 young people, the team’s impact is transformative.
Charlotte added:
“Over the last eight years we have supported hundreds of young people by giving them support and getting them into employment, volunteering or training. We’ve helped them move forward and build positive futures. I’m delighted that our hard work and dedication have been recognised nationally.”
County Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Children and Families said:
"This recognition shows Lancashire is leading the way in supporting our most vulnerable children.
"The Employment and Support Team's passion and dedication change lives every day, and I couldn’t be happier to see their hard work celebrated on a national stage."
To find out more about the Lancashire Virtual School's Employment Team and what they do, visit Lancashire Virtual School's Employment Support Team