Young people "get into care" with Scottish care home group

Young adults have been given the opportunity to learn about working as a carer as part of a new initiative by The Prince’s Trust and care provider Balhousie Care Group.

Aged between 18 and 25, the group of 12 have signed up to Get Into Care, a six week course which is an introduction into all aspects of care with accredited learning and work placements at several of the 24 Balhousie care homes across Scotland.

The students will learn about Scotland’s National Care Standards and looking after residents and their personal needs. They will also be taught how to write an effective CV, present themselves at interviews and other life skills to equip them for entering the job market.

Balhousie Care Group has financially supported the scheme and also guaranteed each of the 12 students - who are from Dundee, Blairgowrie and Perth - an interview for a care assistant’s position when the course finishes in June.

Tricia Stewart, director of HR at Balhousie Care Group, said: “We are delighted to have launched Get Into Care with The Prince’s Trust, which will offer the 12 young people a real insight into care as a career as well as giving them the opportunity to experience work as a carer in some of our homes.

“We strongly believe working in the care sector is a vocation rather than simply a job and we want to offer local young people the opportunity to see if care is for them.

“Most of the students came to The Prince’s Trust through the Job Centre. As well as attending two taster sessions to determine their suitability before the course started, they also had the chance to meet some of our residents to chat to them about care from the resident’s perspective.

“We have guaranteed each of them an interview for a permanent post at the end of the six weeks and we hope those who decide care is for them and who meet the standards required of our employees will go on to become fully fledged members of our team.”

Heather Gray, director of The Prince’s Trust Scotland added: “Get into Care is set to be another successful programme, providing young people with a real taster of a career within the industry.

“To be working with the Balhousie Care Group makes this a very exciting time for The Prince’s Trust. I know that by working in partnership and combining our expertise we will be providing Perth and Tayside’s young people with an incredible training and development opportunity, leading to sustainable employment for the future.”

Funding from The Wood Family Trust has enabled The Prince’s Trust to establish this programme in Perth, helping to reach some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged young people.

The partnership stemmed from a meeting between Balhousie Care Group’s chairman, entrepreneur Tony Banks, and The Prince’s Trust.

The students are due to graduate on June 1.