Providers urged to train the next generation of social care leaders

The National Skills Academy for Social Care is looking for host organisations for the next cohort of trainees in its national graduate management training programme.

Candidates for the trainee scheme pictured at an assessment day

Care providers are being invited to help train the next generation of social care leaders by taking part in the National Skills Academy for Social Care’s graduate management training scheme.

The academy is looking for applications from potential host organisations to provide 12-month placements for the next cohort of about 20 trainees, who will begin the Department of Health-funded programme of workplace training and study in January 2013.

Trainees receive an £18,000 bursary from the academy meaning that the employers do not have to pay them a salary. Other training costs are covered by the skills academy, apart from a £3,500 administration fee paid by host organisations, which includes a day’s leadership development training for the trainee’s designated placement superviser.

“The calibre of trainees enables them to bring energy and new thinking to organisations,” said skills academy acting chief executive Debbie Sorkin. “Hosts get both a direct and an indirect benefit – directly through having this additional resource, and indirectly through being able to use their participation in the scheme to demonstrate their commitment to leadership excellence in social care.”

The 2013 intake will be the fourth cohort of the scheme, which also includes a series of development days and learning events, in which trainees are brought together for study towards the Institute in Leadership and Management level 4 certificate in management.

The academy is looking for a mixture of host organisations, including larger and smaller providers and service user-led organisations. Application forms for host organisations are available on the skills academy’s website and the deadline for applications is 28 September.

For more information, email graduate scheme manager Andy Williamson or call 020 7268 3274.

Feedback from trainees and host organisations

 “From the outset I felt completely supported and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of being thrown in at the deep end. I know that the management skills I have developed will be incredibly valuable in any workplace.” Jenny Garratt, from cohort 3 (2012), who was placed with The Abbeyfield Society

 “MHA have grasped the opportunity to become involved. We have been bowled over by the energy of the graduates and their ability to offer a fresh perspective and try different approaches.” Lynne Bell, group training projects manager, Methodist Homes Association

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