Articles (415)
Relationships and safer sex
Sex and relationships can be complicated Pulse offers a range of sexual health advice and other services to support young people. Lift and Platform hold regular Pulse clinics, works closely with Brook and also offers free condoms to young people registered with the Come Correct Scheme.…Need more information and advice about how to have safer sex and contraception?
There are local services ready to help you. They give young people confidential advice and support. Pulse offers confidential advice on all sexual issues including contraception. Pulse also offers pregnancy testing. You can use this service if you are under 25. Lift has a sexual health drop-in. You can…Need more information or advice about STIs or safe sex?
Checkurself has information about chlamydia testing and treatment. You could have chlamydia without knowing. If you live in London and are between 16 and 24 years old, you can get tested for chlamydia by ordering a test kit. If you need treatment chlamydia is easy to…Student Finance HE
Make sure you find out about student finance before you go to university Students in higher education (HE) are charged up to £9,250 a year to study a course, so if you're thinking about HE make sure you find out about the help you can…Are you being forced into a relationship or marriage?
It is wrong to make anyone marry or be with someone when they don’t want to It is against the law to force someone into a marriage. If you feel threatened or are being hurt because you don’t want to be with someone you can…Managing money
It pays to be a money expert! Whether you are a student, employee, apprentice or school leaver, you will benefit from improving your financial skills and knowledge. Rates of pay, National Minimum Wage rates, student finance, learner bursaries, taxes and benefits change each year, so you…Choices at the end of Year 11
As well as taking exams, you will have important decisions to make about your future Students completing year 11 must stay in learning until at least their 18th birthday - see Raising the participation age Your main choices are: an apprenticeship or job with recognised training…Student finance – full-time students
Student finance costs fall into two parts: Your university or college course must be publicly funded and lead to an higher education qualification. Applications open in February/March A Tuition Fee loan to cover tuition fees. Universities can charge up to £9,250 a year for tuition fees. This may change in academic…Pay rates and payslips
The National Minimum Wage rates are reviewed every April The current National Minimum Wage is £4.81 if you are aged 16 or 17 and in a job, and £4.81 if you are an apprentice. The rates change on 1 April every year. Does your employer give you a…Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are jobs with training Training is a mix of on and off-the-job training, leading to qualifications at level 2 or 3. Watch the video below to help you understand more about apprenticeships. Higher and degree apprenticeships are also available at level 4 to 6, equivalent…Money for learning 16-18
If you are starting college or a sixth form course, there may be bursaries or other funds to help you Ask in your school or college about Learner Bursaries, travel concessions and other financial help. Schools and colleges have funds to help students who can’t…Pay, the National Minimum Wage, tax and national insurance
Employers must pay you at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) if you have reached the official school leaving date The rates are updated every April. National Minimum Wage From April 2022 the NMW is: Apprentice £4.81 an hour Age 16-17 - £4.81 an hour Age 18-20…Finding job and apprenticeship vacancies
Looking for a job or apprenticeship? Want to know where to search? Try looking at the suggestions below: Islington Council is one of the biggest employers in Islington and offers a huge range of jobs including apprenticeships. Take a look at Jobs and careers with Islington and…Need advice and help with career options?
Your teachers and advisers in school can help Some schools and colleges have careers information and access to online careers websites. See also Planning your future. You can also contact: the Progress Team is a good place to start. You can meet an adviser at centres…Where to go for help about jobs and finding a job
If any of these situations apply to you, there is help available: need help with finding and applying for jobs? worried about starting a job or apprenticeship? don’t like what you are doing now and want to change direction? not in employment, education or training?…Apprenticeships and jobs
If you are in Year 11, you must stay in learning or training until at least your 18th birthday Learning can be through an apprenticeship or further study. The official school leaving date is the last Friday in June for Year 11s. You should not start…Thinking about a job, an apprenticeship or a gap year?
A job Look for jobs with training and the opportunity to gain relevant qualifications – important if you want to move on. Don’t take the first job you are offered if it has no prospects. Not going to Uni and The Big Choice have advice…Ways of working
There are different ways to work Work doesn’t just mean having a paid 9 to 5 job. Work doesn’t have to be full-time, paid or permanent and you don’t even have to work for someone else. Your job could be: full-time or part-time permanent or…Covering letters
You will need to send a covering letter with any applications you make It should be well-presented to impress the employer. You can also write to firms that you want to work for even if they are not advertising for staff. Many jobs each year…