Lancashire Scheme To Encourage Next Generation Of Health And Social Care Workers Wins A Top Training Accolade, England

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 04 Nov 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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The Central Lancashire Health and Social Care Cadet initiative was awarded a 2008 National Training Award in the North West regional finals for partnership and collaboration. Run by UK Skills on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, these awards are the UK's most prestigious accolade for excellence in training and people development.

The Cadet scheme is a training initiative that prepares 16 to 20 year olds for a career in health and social care. It is a three-year programme which aims to promote the NHS and social services as employers, widen access to health and social care careers and provide education, training and support to young people.

The Cadet scheme is run jointly by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Central Lancashire - the local primary care trust - and Lancashire County Council Adult and Community Services Directorate, in conjunction with Preston and Runshaw Colleges.

Karen Swindley, Chair of the Central Lancashire Cadet Steering Group and Associate Director of Human Resource Development at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are thrilled to have won a National Training Award. It is a prestigious awards programme and it is great recognition for the Cadet scheme, which is only made possible because of the placements provided by the organisations involved and the staff who supervise the cadets.

"It aims to give young people experience of the NHS and social services in an effort to encourage them to start a career, be it as a nurse, allied health professional, social worker or in a non-clinical role.

"We provide them with training, education and career development opportunities to give them a taste of life in the NHS or social care."

Jayne McGurran, Training Manager at NHS Central Lancashire, said: "We are proud to be part of this unique scheme especially having first hand experience of cadets working in the Organisational Development Department who have been a valuable asset to the team."

"The Cadet scheme is essential to encourage young people to have a career within the NHS or Social Services."

Jason Waldron, Curriculum Manager for Health, Social Care and Early Years, Preston College, said: "This is a great accolade for the cadet scheme and Preston College is proud to be part of such a successful partnership. The scheme is an important means of addressing local priorities for encouraging young people to train and move into employment in the health and social care sector in the North West. We currently have 20 BTEC learners taking part in the cadetship and the experience they gain through workplace learning is invaluable."

Richard Jones, Executive Director of Adult and Community Services at Lancashire County Council, said:

"We are delighted to been involved in this innovative scheme and to win a coveted award for training. This is an excellent achievement for those agencies involved and due recognition regionally and nationally of our commitment in Lancashire to invest in high quality training, education and skills development for future health and social care staff.

"Jobs in social care work in Lancashire include roles that support older people, children and families, young people leaving care and services that support adults with disabilities or a sensory impairment, and those with mental health problems.

"Our staff and people working in caring careers make real differences to people who need a little support with everyday living, help customers achieve their aspirations and help them live independently in their community. Social care work offers that sense of achievement and much more in terms of flexibility and career development opportunities.

"I would like to congratulate all the staff involved in this training scheme and wish them every success in the national awards ceremony in December."

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Foundation

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