Client: Share Foundation
Date: Feb-May 2023
The challenge
For many looked-after young people, financial education is a missing piece in an already unstable start to adulthood. Stepladder Plus, a structured financial education programme delivered by the Share Foundation since 2017, has proven to transform attitudes and significantly reduce the risk of care leavers becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). To ensure this vital, incentivised learning remained accessible to young people in care across the country, the Share Foundation sought additional funding to secure its long-term future.
Our support:
Mutual Ventures partnered with the Share Foundation’s leadership and the Stepladder delivery team to explore sustainable funding options. We investigated potential investment routes, including social investment bonds, and engaged key stakeholders from both the social finance sector and public sector to assess interest in funding the programme. Our work culminated in the development of a compelling, evidence-based business case - built using the HM Treasury five case model - demonstrating the urgent need for investment in financial education for care-experienced young people. The case clearly showed that for every £1 spent on participant incentives, public services could save £3, making it a high-value investment opportunity.
The outcome:
Armed with a robust business case, the Share Foundation was able to engage more effectively with potential funders across both the public and private sectors, strengthening their case for long-term investment in Stepladder Plus.
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