New year, new career! Get into social care

Date published: 6th January 2022

As part of our recent round of Additional Restriction Grant funding, North Norfolk District Council is delighted to announce a new “care academy,” that prepares people to work in adult social care. It also offers mentoring support for potential candidates who are thinking of working in the care sector.

Working with Norfolk and Suffolk Care Support Limited and the DWP, the “North Norfolk Care Academy” will help people to gain skills and knowledge needed to apply with confidence to jobs and careers with a local social care employer.

The course will equip candidates with evidence to demonstrate to employers that they have the necessary values and understanding to provide a quality service and start a new career.

The programme will consist of four days of online training, based on the nationally endorsed Rapid Induction Programme, and one practical demonstration day.

This will be followed by one day of introductions and interview opportunities with local care providers, which will be held online.

Training includes:

• Care Certificate knowledge
• Mental health awareness including dementia learning
• Assisting and moving
• Infection Prevention Control
• A final assessment day for all learners to undertake competencies for all theory and practical elements during the programme.

The training element is being delivered by Norfolk-based White’s Training Services, who are nationally endorsed by Skills for Care.

Additional support:

• Support with preparing for interview
• Facilitated meetings and interviews with local social care employers
• Follow-up support once they have started a job
• Access to further training opportunities

Three sessions will be hosted in the New Year:

• North Walsham: w/c January 17
• Cromer: w/c January 31
• Fakenham: w/c February 14

Everyone that completes the programme will receive a £250 ‘Job Start Bonus’ when they begin their employment in social care.

Cllr Richard Kershaw, NNDC’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth, added: “Care workers are vitally important to our communities, providing support for some of our most vulnerable.

I am really pleased that we are able to offer this training to help people interested in the sector get experienced advice and pick up useful skills.

This is a great opportunity for those who are seeking a career change, or those just starting out in the working world who want to do something that has a positive impact on people.”

Christine Futter, Chief Operating Officer for Norfolk & Suffolk Care Support, commented: “This is a wonderful opportunity for local people who are considering working in social care.

If you are thinking about starting a career, or considering a change of direction, this is a great opportunity to access specialist training and expert support to link you with a local employer.

Working in social care is so rewarding, and if you want a job that can make a difference to people’s lives this is the sector to join.”

Su Carver, Care Delivery Director of Home Support Matters, said: “Home Support Matters is proud to be supporting the new North Norfolk Care Academy.

To support our customers, our staff need a wide range of skills, as well as an understanding the values we embrace. We are confident the North Norfolk Care Academy will help equip people with the knowledge and values that are so close to our hearts.

North Norfolk is a special place to live and we look forward supporting people into an equally special new career here.”

Spaces are limited; if you are interested in signing up, or would like more information, contact info@norfolkandsuffolkcaresupport.co.uk or 01603 629211.