South London Partnership and Ingeus UK

The initiative was launched by the Government-funded South London Partnership (SLP), one of London’s sub-regional partnerships, with Ingeus taking on the role of coordinating, engaging communities, arranging employability training, and supplying candidates for group interviews with potential employers.

Fiona Oakes, SLP Programme Lead, says Ingeus’ involvement has been “integral to the success of the scheme” adding: “The team has been incredible. It’s definitely been an incentive to employers and boosted recruitment into this sector.”

The three-week placements, funded as part of the local Integrated Care Partnership Strategy to help tackle workforce challenges, offer the London Living Wage and the chance of permanent positions with set hours. 

Training during the placement and once a job is secured is funded by the Partnership or the employer.

“It gives residents a chance to see if working in the care sector suits them, and it’s risk free for the employer because they can see people’s suitability for the role upfront,” says Lisa Burley, Senior Performance Improvement Manager for Ingeus’ SLP programme team.

“The perception of jobs in social care is that it’s zero hour contracts and minimum wage. We have been trying to dispel that myth and work with employers to provide good, well-paid and secure employment.”

Ingeus provided a team of three full-time colleagues to boost referrals to the scheme through jobs fairs, promoting it to Jobcentre Plus work coaches and contacting charities and other groups.

Open to anybody out of work with a desire to move into social care, the scheme has included residents under-represented in the sector such as those aged 50+, people with learning difficulties and lone parents. 

The team has also engaged hard-to-reach groups including Jewish, Hong Kong and Tamil communities.

More than 250 residents came forward to be given pre-employment support tailoring their CVs for the care sector, interview coaching and access to required NHS online training.

Many of the female applicants have been referred to Ingeus partner Smart Works for coaching and suitable interview and work clothes.

SLP contacted potential employers, with each being offered two placements. They meet the candidates at online group interviews. Roles have included hands-on carers, activities co-ordinators, field care supervisors as well as finance and HR positions.

Once the placements begin Ingeus ensures the candidates have travel money and the support of their personal advisor.

One of the residents who gained a placement was 47-year-old Lou from Croydon who, with English as her second language, wrongly felt her communication skills were not good enough for a job in the care sector. 

However, at the end of her placement Lou was offered a permanent position and her employer is funding professional qualifications to further her career.

She says: “I was out of work for about nine months. I had been a cleaner but wanted to work in the care sector – I was used to doing that at home in West Africa where we look after our older relatives.

“Now I’ve got a job in domiciliary care and travel to support people in their own homes. It’s a really nice job. I like meeting and helping people and I want to move into a full time caring role. Having work is important. It makes a big difference to your life.”

SLP’s Fiona Oakes adds: “Ingeus’ presence in the wider South London Skills and Employment initiative has led to a rapid transformation in this field. It has made significant advances in working with both economically inactive and unemployed local people.”

• The People and Skills South London Partnership Programme is funded by Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).