Campaign to inspire more young people into social care roles launched

Skills for Care has launched a campaign to inspire more young people into social care, in the lead up to GCSE and A level results day.

They’re calling on social care employers to do more to attract young people into the sector, and dispel some of the negative myths around working in social care.

One of the ways they’re suggesting employers do this is by joining a national team of I Care…Ambassadors, who deliver careers activities to schools and colleges across the country.

Teachers, careers and employment advisors can request an ambassador to visit their school, college or university and deliver activities such as talks or presentations, to share their insight about what it’s really like to work in social care.

Employers can also offer work placements or taster days as part of these activities, to give students a real feel for working in the sector.

Last year The Suffolk Brokerage ran a project to offer work placement and volunteering opportunities to health and social care students. Suitable candidates were then offered the opportunity to progress into a social care apprenticeship.

The project proved a huge success with 23 employers offering 31 work placements, of which 10 students went on to become apprentices.

It was a great opportunity for students to see if social care was the right career choice for them. Charlie Stringer did a placement and progressed onto an apprenticeship with Leading Lives. He said:

“I’m so pleased to have been given the chance [to do this work placement]. After just a couple of days of volunteering I knew there was a career for me and I feel so positive about the future. I completed two weeks of volunteering and got to work with different members of staff and customers. I was then offered an apprenticeship … I really enjoy making a difference to people’s lives.”

Teachers, careers and employment advisors can find a local I Care…Ambassador on Skills for Care’s website.