NCF launches Kickstart Support to help create care jobs for 16-24-year-olds

The National Care Forum (NCF) has launched an NCF Kickstart Scheme aimed to create new job placements for 16–24-year-olds on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

The NCF Kickstart Scheme will provide funding to support members access the Department for Work and Pensions Kickstart Scheme.

On 21 April NCF launched the NCF Kickstart Scheme with an introductory webinar which was well attended by NCF members. The first applications have been submitted to DWP to recruit 30 young people into roles within the adult social care sector at National Care Forum member organisations.

Vic Rayner, chief executive at (NCF) said: “Working in social care is amazing and an opportunity that we want as many people to experience as possible. Kickstart is a great way of matching up those interested in a career in care with organisations who can provide them with a varied and well-supported opportunity to find out more.

“Over a six-month period, people will be able to find out what the reality of working in social care is all about, and what it might mean for them and their future ambitions. We are really pleased to be working with Pathway, Cohesion and our members to make absolutely sure that each and every Kickstart employee gets the best experience of social care and becomes a lifelong champion of the difference that care makes to people’s lives, each and every day.”

A programme of monthly themed webinars created in conjunction with Cohesion to support workplace mentors and employers on a variety of themes includes creating a positive experience for new colleagues; learning styles; dynamics of a team and organisation; mentoring, coaching and buddying; using reflection and digital skills.

A dedicated Kickstart Forum for peer-to-peer learning and sharing of experiences to promote best practice; and support for Kickstart placement participants from Pathway CTM.

’Attracting and retaining early talent for social care is more important now than ever’

Amanda Marques, director of long term NCF partner Cohesion said of the scheme: “Cohesion are pleased to be working in partnership with the NCF and Pathway CTM to support members who decide to participate in the Kickstart Scheme. “Attracting and retaining early talent for social care is more important now than ever and schemes like Kickstart have an important part to play. We hope to see as much take-up as possible before the last intake in December.”

This unique scheme offers a package of support not just for young people employed through the Kickstart Programme but also to care provider members of NCF taking part in the scheme, and their existing employees who are acting as mentors for their new colleagues.

Brian Whittaker, HR & OD director of Brunelcare has been operating their own Kickstart scheme for a number of months said: “The Brunelcare senior team was enthusiastic about the Kickstart scheme when it was announced as it represented a cost-neutral solution to helping young people into (or back into) work and also an opportunity for us to attract new talent for the charity.

“So far we have 22 Kickstart colleagues working across the charity including within the IT team, finance, HR and property services. They are brilliant people doing a great job and enjoying the opportunity. This is a real win/win as we are in reality training people who can then apply for permanent vacancies. We have already had one person who joined through Kickstart successfully apply and be appointed into a full-time role.”