Safeguarding
Cost-of-Living Crisis: How You Can Support Your Apprentice
The average living cost for a single person in the UK is £2,005 per month.
Goods prices were up by 12.7% in June 2022.
Currently, the average cost of living for a household in the UK is £3,073 a month.
Ways You Can Help
- Talk to your apprentice about the cost-of-living crisis and understand if and how it is affecting them. Keep talking and monitoring the situation as the crisis continues and ensure your apprentice knows that they are able to approach you with any concerns. Identify the main issues they are currently dealing with and how they’d like assistance with overcoming them. This will help you to provide support where it is most needed by identifying their needs, expectations, and wants. Make sure to get feedback on the current incentives and support that your company provides.
- Provide support where you can through signposting key support services, advice lines, counselling, benefits programmes, or other support services. People develop and fulfil their potential in healthy workplaces, and organisations should take extra steps to support their apprentices’ health and wellbeing in these difficult circumstances. According to Mind.org, there is a direct connection between mental health and money, “Poor mental health can make earning and managing money harder. And worrying about money can make your mental health worse.” (Money and mental health – Mind).
- Where feasible, review pay, benefits and other financial support. If this isn’t an option for you, perhaps consider providing financial education such as tips on how to budget and manage their money. Having a plan will enable your apprentice to know where their money is going, eliminate expenses that aren’t currently necessary, and create breathing room from one month to the next. Financial literacy and education can enable your apprentice to live more stress-free lives and save more money.
Contact the Training Provider Centre Manager, Tutor, or Safeguarding Lead if you or your apprentice(s) requires additional support.
Student Discounts
You could suggest that your apprentice(s) look into a NUS Extra Student Discount Card. This is available for £11 per year and provides a wide selection of discounts, deals and offers. There may also be local transport deals available to your apprentice.
Learners can apply for the card through their website: apprenticeextra.co.uk. They will need to know who their course is funded by if they choose to apply for this. This information can be provided by asking their tutor.
Useful Contacts
We have compiled a list of safeguarding contacts which may be of use to you and your apprentice to provide additional support. Additionally, visit helpforhouseholds.gov.uk for relevant financial tips tailored to the cost-of-living crisis.
ACAS: 0300 123 1100
acas.org.uk
Information, advice and assistance on the law and rights for both employees and employers to help prevent or resolve workplace problems.
Citizens Advice
citizensadvice.org.uk
Citizens Advice can provide support and advice on a wide range of topics, including many common workplace issues.
Connexions: 0800 0126 606
connexionslive.com
Information and advice for young people.
Gov.co.uk
For further cost-of-living support.
Cost of living support – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
nspcc.org.uk
Free, confidential advice open 24 hours a day; 7 days a week.
Equality and Human Rights Commission: 0808 800 0082
equalityhumanrights.com
Working to eliminate discrimination,
reduce inequality, and protect human
rights, ensuring that everyone has a fair
chance to participate in society.
Health and Safety Executive: 0845345 0055
hse.gov.uk/youngpeople
Advice, guidance, news, tools, legislation and publications from the
independent regulator for work-related health and safety.
Change4Life
smarttools.change4life.co.uk
Help and guidance on a number of different ways in which you can get healthier.
Release: 0207324 2989
release.org.uk
Confidential helpline offering information and advice on drug use, human rights and legal issues.
Contact the Training Provider Centre Manager, Tutor, or Safeguarding Lead if you or your apprentice(s) requires additional support.
Further Support
The list below contains specific mental health links, providing support for those that may feel anxious or depressed about the current economic climate.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Mental health service with a specific Debt and Benefits section. Service Directory | Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM (thecalmzone.net)
Samaritans
For depression and anxiety support.
Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
NHS Live Well
nhs.uk/LiveWell/
Information and tips on a range of topics linked to your physical and
emotional wellbeing.
Anxiety UK
For specific support with anxiety.
www.anxietyuk.org.uk
For those in the Manchester area, there is a free cost-of-living advice line: 0800 0232692
They can support with Rent, Bills, Debt, Benefits, Food, and Getting Online
Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm
