Creating routes into adult social care
Recruiting successfully isn’t just about filling vacancies. It’s about widening the pool of people who can see a future in adult social care and creating accessible routes into the sector.
Employers can play an important part in this by offering opportunities to people who may be new to care, new to work or have not previously considered the sector.
We are working with partners across Surrey to identify practical ways to support employers to recruit a wider and more diverse workforce.
Youth Jobs Grant
£3,000 for every eligible 18–24-year-old you recruit
The Youth Jobs Grant provides employers with £3,000 for each eligible young person aged 18 to 24 who is claiming Universal Credit and has been unemployed for at least six months.
The grant is designed to help employers recruit young people who are actively seeking employment, while reducing the cost of taking someone on and giving them an opportunity to build their skills and experience.
- £3,000 per eligible hire, paid in two instalments: £1,800 after 6 weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks, subject to the scheme conditions.
- The job must be for at least 25 hours a week
- The employment must be expected to last at least four months
- The young person must be aged 18–24 and claiming Universal Credit and unemployed for at least six months
Find out more about the Youth Jobs Grant
Official 'Find a Grant' serviceSupport with recruitment
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers a range of support to employers recruiting new staff, including opportunities to connect with people looking for work, work experience and other employment initiatives.
Surrey Care Association is working with local Jobcentre teams to help employers understand the support available and identify opportunities that could help them widen their recruitment pipeline.
Looking for recruitment support?
Talk to us about what may be available for your organisation.
Creating opportunities for people new to work
For someone starting out in the world of work, the first step into employment can be the hardest. Opportunities to gain experience, build confidence and understand what a job involves can make a real difference.
Employers can help by considering ways to give people an opportunity to experience the workplace before, or alongside, recruitment. Work experience, work trials and other supported routes can help people understand whether a role is right for them, while giving employers the opportunity to see the skills and potential of people who might otherwise be overlooked.
We are exploring how these approaches could help create more routes into adult social care across Surrey.
Supporting the next generation
Employers also have an important role to play in helping people understand what a career in adult social care can offer.
Sharing professional insight, taking part in careers activities and helping young people encounter the sector can bring adult social care to life in ways that information alone cannot.
Surrey Care Association is developing opportunities for employers to contribute to careers engagement with schools and colleges, alongside other routes into the sector.
Help young people discover careers in care
Schools and collegesGet involved
Whether you’re looking for support with recruitment, interested in opportunities for people new to work, or would like to contribute to careers engagement, we’d be pleased to hear from you.
Talk to us about how your organisation could get involved.