New training programme to support people into working in the care sector

Neath Port Talbot Council has developed a new paid coaching and mentoring programme to support people into working in the social care sector.

The innovative training programme will provide five people with the opportunity to gain 12 weeks of paid practical experience working as a Trainee Social Care Personal Assistant. Personal Assistants work with people who have chosen to take a Direct Payment and who choose a Personal Assistant to provide their care services to them. A key role of a Personal Assistant is to support people with their care needs to live their day to day life as normally as possible.

The five trainees will be based in the Council’s Community Reablement Team which focuses on assisting people to regain their independence after being in hospital. The successful applicants will carry out basic support tasks such as meal preparation, shopping, cleaning as well as personal care. Each trainee will receive full training and will be allocated an experienced mentor to support them through the duration of the training programme. At the end of the 12 week programme, it is anticipated that the trainees will be better prepared and more experienced to apply for longer-term Personal Assistant vacancies.

The programme has been developed to help support the Council’s commitment to offering people more personalised care through Direct Payments. These are payments given to people to allow them the freedom to make key decisions about who supports them and how and when this support is provided. People who receive Direct Payments commonly use the money to employ a Personal Assistant.

Councillor Peter Richards, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services said:

“Our new training programme is a great opportunity for people who are interested in gaining experience and confidence working in the social care sector.

“In order for us to offer people the choice of receiving Direct Payments, we need to ensure we have a sufficient supply of Personal Assistants who are work ready. Our new training programme will help us to achieve this and will enable us to deliver personalised care in the community.”

Anyone interested in the trainee posts can apply online at www.npt.gov.uk/jobs . The closing date to submit an application is Thursday 24th August 2017.