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HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE EMPLOYABILITY ACADEMY HELPING TO REDUCE BARRIERS INTO EMPLOYMENT

7 April 2024

Area(s) of focus: Develop, grow and invest in our workforce, culture and clinical and professional leadership

Why Change Was Needed

Tackling immediate system pressures and improving resilience in the healthcare sector requires developing and investing in a diverse workforce. The Integrated Care System (ICS) aimed to ensure that neither background nor privilege would advantage or disadvantage people's professional journeys. To achieve this, the ICS needed a truly inclusive approach to career development that addressed structural inequalities and supported underrepresented groups.

 

What We Did

  • Established the Health and Social Care Employability Academy: A two-year funded programme aimed at supporting people from underrepresented groups, such as care leavers, people with disabilities, refugees, and disadvantaged individuals.
  • Broadened Employability Opportunities: Engaged local communities through outreach sessions in various locations like food banks, religious events, and community groups. Partnered with third sector and specialist organisations.
  • Customised Support Programs: Participants were triaged into employment programs suitable for their needs, focusing on confidence building, communication tools, application and interview help, career conversations, and work experience.
  • Comprehensive Application Support: Assisted participants throughout their job application journey, from applying through TRAC to interview preparation and volunteering opportunities. Provided access to vacancy bulletins and guidance on using NHS Jobs.

 

Outcomes

  • Participant Engagement: Since its creation in September 2023, the Academy has worked with 1,049 participants.
  • Successful Recruitment: 26 participants have been recruited into paid roles or long-term volunteering positions.
  • Positive Feedback: Participants reported increased confidence and satisfaction with the support provided. 

Success stories include:

Matthew, who is neurodiverse:

“After attending at careers event, I applied for a trainee HCA role. I have been supported to grow as a person and gained a lot of confidence since joining the programme” Paris, Care Leaver “When I started the programme, I didn’t expect to find employment. I went in with low expectations and then ended up with a job which surprised me. Everyone believed in me, more than I believed in myself”.

Avril, now employed as a receptionist in a GP practice:

“I found the employability session to be very helpful. I hadn’t actually had an interview for 25 years. I used the tips for interview techniques and after accepting the job role I was told that I had answered all their questions to their satisfaction – I put that down to the advice I was given on programme!”

Grace, Preceptorship Lead for CWPT who attended the management training:

“The training was extremely informative and beneficial. The session was engaging and encouraged group participation. It was a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and learn about various services available in Warwickshire. It was inspiring and allowed me time to reflect on our current practice and how we can develop further.”


Next Steps

The Academy aims to extend its reach in primary care through a local GP Training Hub and in social care, offering a wider range of employability programs, work experience, and apprenticeships. Plans are also in place to share learning with other systems across the country and hold a celebration event in Summer 2024 to mark the Academy's first anniversary.


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