A new Care Undergraduate Scheme has given six young Islanders the opportunity to gain experience working in the social care sector, with opportunities for more young Islanders to come.
The scheme began last Summer when the Isle of Wight Council recruited its first six young people from across the Island to join the Council’s Reablement and Outreach Team. The service supports people from hospital to regain their independence across the Island, supporting around 120 Island residents each week.
The Island’s MP Bob Seely said: “These impressive young people are the first group through this new initiative to train up young Island care workers and to give them a stronger career structure.
“I am so grateful to them and to the team at the council that’s been supporting them.”
Four of the undergraduates are now onto their second placements in Island-based learning disability care homes, Wightcare and the mental health social work team.
Mr Seely went along to meet the undergraduates and their mentors to find out how the scheme was working and to listen to their reactions.
Undergraduate, Courtney Reed told the MP: “The scheme offers young people multiple insights for future career opportunities.”
Linda Thompson, a Support Worker who has been with the council for three years - but has over 30 years experience of working in the NHS Trust - told the MP how she has really enjoyed sharing and showing the undergraduates what to do and was looking forward to being asked to help again.
Victoria Hunter, the Team Leader for the scheme said: “It has been brilliant watching the undergraduates grow in confidence as the months have gone by.”
Mr Seely said: “This scheme is a great way to recruit people into care roles but it’s also giving job opportunities and experience to young Islanders.
“The young Islanders who have taken up these placements all told me that they are enjoying being able to gain experience working in different care roles and the programme is helping them to decide which area of care they are most suited to.”
The government is creating hundreds of thousands of new training places for care workers. Alongside these places, the government is launching the first-ever national career structure for adult social care, backed by a new Care Certificate qualification and £250 million of funding. The new accredited Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate launches in June 2024. Together, the changes will help to recognise the adult social care profession and create a more rewarding career path for care workers.
Up to £53 million of funding has been allocated to support 37,000 people in direct adult social care roles to complete the new qualification.
The Isle of Wight Council is now looking to recruit the next cohort of undergraduates to join the scheme in 2024 and will be visiting some educational establishments such as the Isle of Wight College, the Sixth Form College and Cowes Enterprise College, in the Spring to speak with young Islanders about the scheme and how to apply.
Mr Seely said: “I strongly encourage young Islanders to consider this scheme as a pathway into the care profession. It’s a great way to gain experience and find the right role. Thank you again to everyone involved.”
Mr Seely said that anyone interested in the scheme should contact [email protected] who will be happy to help.
