1. we help to improve social care standards
5th March 2012
we help to improve social care standards
The Care Ambassador Scheme
‘Inspiring the Workforce of Tomorrow’

2. Purpose of Care Ambassador Schemes?
Care Ambassador Schemes aim to increase understanding of adult social care and the work that people do.
The overall objective is to attract more people to working in social care.

3. What do Care Ambassadors Schemes do?
Raise awareness of social care in the community to improve its image and remove prejudices
Attract more people to the sector and decrease the number of unfilled vacancies
Ensure people have the right skills and training to do the job
Help staff to develop new skills as part of their job

4. Working to Put People First vision
One of a confident, enabled, and equipped adult social care workforce – a workforce who are able to deliver truly person centred care and understand and see the key role that they are making to delivering transformation. We see a workforce that is growing in confidence, learning and skills, led by inspiring leaders and championed by government.

5. Current Challenges and Problems in Social Care
Perception – people not understanding what social care does and who it can help
Recruitment problems – not enough people wanting to work in the sector
Skills and Training – people not having all the right skills and knowledge they need to do the job as best they possibly can
Support – leaders and managers needing to support their staff more; and
The right people – not having a broad range of people to work in social care, like old and young or people who used services themselves

6. Perception
To raise awareness of social care in the community to improve its image and remove prejudices
Opportunity to inspire a positive view of people who use services
Opportunity to show people that caring is an important part of society
Challenge assumptions and stereotypes

7. Recruitment
To Attract more people to the sector and decrease the number of unfilled vacancies
Opportunity to promote positive image of social care
Promote diverse range of career opportunities
Improve the quality of applicants, enable knowledgeable choice
Target broad range of people, via a range of activities

8. Skills and Training
Ensure people have the right skills and training to do the job
Support schools, colleges and training providers to deliver Social Care curriculum
Involvement in consultation process, NOS etc
Support Careers Guidance Services and Job Centre Plus Advisors to understand the needs of the sector

9. Support Helping staff to develop new skills as part of their job
Preparation for supervisory or management jobs,
Keep up to date with latest legislation, research and good practice
Challenge current practice

10. What is a Care Ambassador?
Is a social care worker, a service user or a carer who, as part of a team, promote the image of social care and act as role models to inspire and encourage people of all ages to consider careers in social care

11. Who might be suitable to be a Care Ambassador?
Someone who is passionate about the job they do
Someone who is enthusiastic and has a desire to promote social care to other people
Someone who understands the values, skills and knowledge required to work in social care

12. Where Do Care Ambassadors Work?
Work in a variety of roles in social care
Receive variety of social care services
Represent a variety of services
Represent a variety of needs

13. Who do care ambassadors support?
Education Providers
Training Providers
Apprenticeship Partnerships
Job Centre Plus
Regulatory Authorities
Community Groups

14. What kind of activities will they be involved with?
Giving presentations
Run workshops
Support recruitment and career events
Offer guidance and advice about current practice and career opportunities available
Help facilitate creative work experience opportunities

15. What are the benefits of being a Care Ambassador?
Share their enthusiasm for their work
Boost their confidence and improve their communication skills
Receive training – a wide range of development will be offered, dependant upon their need
Make a difference in a rewarding and enjoyable way!

16. What are the benefits for employers?
Involvement in the programme helps:
Raise the profile of your organisation and social care
Improves recruitment strategies
Provides excellent development opportunities for staff
Brings new skills, up to date knowledge and enthusiasm into your organisation

17. Benefits to Employers Assists with recruitment strategy
Low-cost marketing of the organisation
Generates positive publicity
Confidence and new skills acquired by Care Ambassadors
Up to date knowledge of the sector

18. What other employers have said:
“This is a great initiative – this has helped us to gain a lot of positive publicity for our organisation”
“The scheme has really helped with our recruitment and retention”
“As an employer I was worried about the commitment at first; however the benefits have far outweighed the release time”

19. What next?
So what do you think?
Types of activity
Possible training needs
Manager involvement/role
Co-ordination of the scheme
Recruitment process

20. Contact details Fiona Macmillan: Telephone: 07967 247 220