The Hub : Recruitment and retention

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The Hub : Recruitment and retention

Are you thinking about a job in care?

You’d be surprised how naturally qualified you might be for a job in care – because being a great carer is all about your personal qualities, such as empathy, respect, patience and kindness.

a social care worker and gentleman speaking together If this sounds like the kind of person you are, and you’d like to make a real difference to people’s lives, here are some options to get your career in social care started;

There is a national recruitment site which is free for you to register to become a care worker and help change lives on the Joinsocialcare website
Kent Care Professionals - Register your details on this site for people looking for care work in Kent and Medway. The site is for experienced and non-care experience workers, register online on the Kent Care Professionals website
Apply for adult social care roles at Kent County Council (KCC). Working in the council's adult social services team, you will enjoy an attractive benefits package and training opportunities to help you achieve your potential. KCC invests in adult social care employees to give them the right skills and experience to provide a first class service to the people of Kent. View vacancies on the council website.
Contact us and ask about starting a career in care and we can offer you specific advice KentRegisteredManager@kent.gov.uk

Useful information and news

Have You Thought About an Apprenticeship in Social Care?
There are a variety of apprenticeship opportunities within the care sector, including many which are not care specific such as administration, hospitality, maintenance, catering and much more.

If you want to be an apprentice, hire an apprentice or support an apprentice then check out the information below.

Resources:

Kent County Council Apprentice web site to find out how to proceed and read some case studies.
View Case Studies - This short video by Skills for care highlights the role of four apprentices in social care. Hear from Hayley, Tom, Rebecca and Jamie
Here are three informative webinars in partnership with Skills for Care
You can also view a webinar on the benefits to your organisation in offering placements to support your recruitment and retention plans.

A nursing associate is a new member of the nursing family who provides care for people in health and social care settings. It has been created to bridge the skills gap between care assistants and registered nurses. Once qualifed, a level 5 nursing associate will be registered on the Nursing and Midwifery Council register and can remain in the nursing associate role or continue training to become a fully qualified nurse. This role is only being used and regulated in England and the training is fully funded via the apprenticeship levy with additional HEE funding for organisations to support their TNA in the workplace.

A number of Nursing Homes in Kent have already taken up this opportunity and to date we have nearly 20 care workers currently on the nursing associate program which is delivered by Canterbury Christchurch University.

Resources:

You can find out more about the role and view short video clips on the Skills for Care website.

The Department of Health's national adult social care recruitment campaign, ‘Made with Care’, is a free resource to support care providers in recruiting the staff they need.

Resources:

More information for managers, including access to free posters and social media assets on the campaign website
Further information for job seekers
Case studies can be found online on how the campaign has worked
To highlight the value of taking part, please watch this case study video featuring Sanjay Dhrona, MD of the Close Care Home
Advertise your vacancies on the DWP ‘Find a Job’ site free of charge
Make the most of this campaign by running your own recruitment activity, using the expert advice and templates available on the campaign resource centre
Watch the social care recruitment advert

South East Social Care Alliance - International Recruitment Hub
Skills for Care - Funded recruitment and development initiatives
Skills for Care - A positive culture toolkit

Last updated: 27/03/2024