Search for social care entrepreneurs begins

The National Skills Academy for Social Care has launched its national management trainee scheme for the second year. The pioneering scheme was piloted last year and it acquired 20 graduates.

This year, 25 graduates will be hosted by 25 employers in social care across England, from the private, voluntary and statutory sectors.

Participants will work in a variety of roles, developing leadership and management skills needed to forge a successful career in the sector.

Phil Hope, care services minister, said ‘I am delighted to be welcoming in a second year of the National Management Trainee Scheme, after the success of the pilot last year’

The scheme is open to recent graduates from all disciplines and hopes to attract those who might not previously have considered a career in social care. It is the first national trainee programme devoted to care.

Liz Robson, who is currently completing her placement with Durham County Council  says she gained fantastic experience in different areas.

She added: ‘Through my placement and learning days with the academy I have had the chance to learn about the many opportunities and challenges facing adult social care.’

Skills Academy chief executive, Liz McSheehy said: ‘We are thrilled to be recruiting more graduates to the scheme this year and have been overwhelmed by interest from employers. The expanding social care sector deserves support from skilled leaders and managers, and this scheme will help provide some of the executives of the future.’