Bridge Recruitment Joins the Care Leaver Covenant
Leanne Heerey
At Bridge Recruitment, we’re proud to share that we have officially joined the Care Leaver Covenant.
As a specialist recruitment consultancy in the Facilities Management sector, we see firsthand the importance of creating pathways into the industry, especially for entry-level talent. But we also recognise that not everyone starts from the same place, and for many care-experienced individuals, the journey into employment comes with additional challenges.
Why this matters
Care leavers are one of the most overlooked talent pools in the UK.
By the age of 18, many have already experienced significant adversity and change. As a result, they often develop qualities that employers actively look for, resilience, independence, adaptability, and a strong sense of responsibility. These are qualities that align closely with the demands of roles across Facilities Management, where problem-solving, reliability, and initiative are essential.
And yet, despite this, many care-experienced young people struggle to access opportunities.
A lack of professional networks, limited access to career guidance, and fewer opportunities to gain early work experience can all act as barriers. Often, it’s not a question of ability it’s a question of access.
Our commitment
Joining the Care Leaver Covenant is about taking action, not just making a statement.
As part of our commitment, Bridge Recruitment will:
Guarantee an interview to any care-experienced candidate who meets the minimum criteria for a role
Actively promote entry-level opportunities to the care community
Provide a dedicated point of contact to support candidates throughout the recruitment process
Track and measure our progress to ensure we are making a tangible impact
These steps are designed to make the recruitment process more accessible, supportive, and transparent for care-experienced candidates.
Looking beyond traditional diversity
When people talk about diversity and inclusion, the focus is often on visible characteristics such as gender and ethnicity. These are, of course, important. But true inclusion means looking beyond the obvious and recognising the structural barriers that can prevent people from accessing opportunities in the first place.
Supporting care leavers is about widening the definition of talent and rethinking how we identify potential.
It’s about ensuring that someone’s background doesn’t limit their future.
A call to the FM industry
We know that meaningful change doesn’t happen in isolation.
That’s why we’re keen to work with employers across the Facilities Management sector who want to better understand how to engage with and support care-experienced talent. There is a real opportunity here, not only to make a positive social impact, but to strengthen teams with individuals who bring resilience, perspective, and determination.
If you’re an employer interested in learning more, we’d love to start that conversation.
By joining the Care Leaver Covenant, we’re taking a step towards a more inclusive industry, one where barriers are reduced, opportunities are accessible, and potential is recognised wherever it exists.