Bristol scheme offers free driving lessons to looked-after children

Under the scheme, the council and the AA Charitable Trust are paying for lessons for children in care with the AA Driving School.

To date, four looked-after young people in the city have benefited from the project. One of the four, 19-year-old John Denver, passed his driving test last week.

“I’ve always been interested in cars and am training to become a mechanic,” he said. “To take things further, I need a driving license, so this really opens up new opportunities for me. I’d like to go into the motor trade to become a full time mechanic so I’m really pleased I passed my test.”

Clare Campion-Smith, Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said that the project was crucial to helping young people secure jobs and access training.

“Many jobs list the ability to drive as an essential requirement and even if they don’t, having the flexibility to travel to work opens up a broader range of opportunities,” she said.

“Ensuring young people in care have a positive start in life is something we should all take responsibility for."

Professor David Berridge, from Bristol University’s school for policy studies, was also involved in developing the initiative. He called on other councils to follow Bristol’s lead and offer driving lessons as part of their support for looked-after children.

He said: “Young people growing up in care should have every opportunity to develop their confidence and skills to help prepare them for adulthood and the world of work.

"I hope that other councils around the country will provide young people in care with similar opportunities.”