Unlocking careers in childcare, health and social care

In an inspiring collaboration between Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub and Caring Plymouth (Plymouth’s Health and Social Care Skills Partnership), a week-long Introduction to Childcare, Health and Social Care programme, was held to guide six care-experienced young people, supported by Plymouth City Council’s Virtual School, into the childcare, health and social care sectors. The bespoke programme provided invaluable hands-on experiences and facilitated key introductions to professionals within these fields, setting the stage for their future career paths.

The week began with an introduction to childcare, health and social care, as the young people participated in a session led by tutors from On Course South West. The session offered a foundational understanding of the sector and included the completion of a Basic Life Support qualification, which will enhance their CVs as they begin applying for jobs. Emily Davies, Health and Social Care Tutor, expressed her excitement: “It was great to deliver this session and help prepare the young people for a rewarding career in health and social care. Gaining qualifications is a perfect way to kickstart your career within the sector.”

On day two, the participants met with Caring Plymouth’s Health and Social Care Coordinators, Jack and Natalie, who provided an overview of the sector and the various career pathways available. This session was enhanced by three local guest speakers from the sector, each sharing insights into their specialties and offering advice on joining the industry. Kim Vickers from Big Picture Care Group, Keely Burch from Millfield’s Inspired, and Scarlett Sterne from University Hospitals Plymouth, NHS Trust all provided valuable perspectives on the importance of transferable skills, the diverse opportunities within the field, and how to make meaningful connections. The young people then visited Furzehatt Care Home, where they toured the facilities, met key team members, and took part in activities with residents, including balloon badminton. One participant reflected, “going to the care home to gain work experience and meet new people was really rewarding.”

Day three brought two vital site visits. The first stop was ICL Homes, a residential setting for adults with learning disabilities where Lauren, the Nominated Individual at ICL, guided the group through the facilities and answered their questions about working in the field. The second visit took the group to Nazareth House, a residential home for older adults in Stonehouse. There, they participated in Easter-themed activities, supporting residents as they made Easter bonnets and decorated eggs. This experience not only exposed the young people to dementia care but also allowed them to gain hands-on experience working with individuals with complex health needs. Jack Davies from Caring Plymouth noted, “Understanding dementia care and its impacts is crucial for anyone joining the sector. With an aging population and nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK, the future workforce must be prepared to provide support to older people in our community.”

After a busy few days, the young people spent day four in 1:1 sessions at Skills Launchpad Plymouth. These personal discussions focused on employability skills, career options, and interview preparation. The group was also supported in selecting appropriate interview clothing ahead of the Health and Social Care Careers Showcase event the following day. Youth Hub Coordinator, Abi Bunt, shared, “It was great to hear how the young people had found the week and their enthusiasm for the sector was perfectly timed for the showcase the next day.”

The week culminated on day five with the Health and Social Care Careers Showcase, a major Plymouth event where the young people were introduced to over 25 local employers from across the sector, explored the job opportunities available and offered advice on next steps. This provided the participants with the chance to network with potential employers and learn more about career paths in childcare, health and social care.

Charlotte White, Youth Outreach Coordinator, reflected on the broader impact of the week, saying, “This introduction week has the potential to be incredibly impactful for young people exploring careers in childcare, health and social care. By offering both practical experiences and the chance to meet professionals in these essential services, the participants gained a well-rounded understanding of the sectors. This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a successful and fulfilling career journey for them.”

Following the week of exploration, the six young people will continue to receive support from Skills Launchpad Plymouth and Caring Plymouth as they pursue the next steps toward careers in their chosen sectors. To date, one of the participants has been inspired to progress onto the next level of a health and social care qualification, and another is actively applying for job vacancies in the sector.

To find out more about local opportunities in the health and social care sector, please visit the Caring Plymouth landing page - https://www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/caringplymouth or for childcare, click here - https://www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/childcare.