More training for young home carers

Cambridge social services department is hoping to recruit and
train 30 young home care workers by next spring after winning a
contract to provide apprenticeships and NVQ training to people aged
under 23.

The Learning and Skills Council announced the £94,000
contract last week. Cambridgeshire County Council launched its
modern apprenticeships scheme last year and has already recruited
10 young people who will be training as home carers.

“The contract is a major boost for the scheme and we are about
to begin a county-wide recruitment campaign,” said social services
administration manager Lee Stribling.

Cambridge social services department has also given its backing
to the Community Care and Local Government Association You
can Make A Difference campaign, which was launched in March to
raise the profile of social work.

Cambridge is one of a number of social services departments that
have been forced to recruit from abroad to ease staff
shortages.