Autumn House Recruitment Success

To highlight the way our networks can help is to share with you one of our recent successes.

CareMatch, over the last year, have worked in partnership with Job Centre Plus to deliver 9 Care Fairs within the Job Centres throughout Staffordshire. Employers linked to CareMatch were invited to have stands and we took all the current vacancies from the website.

At the event we met a woman who has tried for a number of years to enter the care sector, but with having no experience or qualifications, had found it difficult. We quickly recognised that she had many transferrable skills and a very caring nature. We suggested straight away that she apply for a position with Autumn House in Stone.

Lesley Powell, the Manager of Autumn House has signed to our ESF funded West Midlands Recruitment Hub which aims to encourage local employers to assist local unemployed back into work. As part of this Lesley interviewed Tina and immediately offered her a position. By employing Tina this also opened up access for Lesley to apply to a flexible fund from the hub project to assist Tina to overcome any barriers into work.

Whilst at the Care Fair, Tina had spoken to Acacia Training, another organisation who is within our network, and discussed to Future Jobs Fund project.

Frances Bridges from Acacia explains how they assisted Tina and Lesley:-

“Tina started training with Acacia, after being referred through the Future Jobs Fund programme at a CareMatch event. She was told that opportunities were available in Health and Social Care and that Autumn House had vacancies. Tina was interviewed at Autumn House who offered her a position on a 6 month fixed contract for 25 hours a week. Throughout the employment Tina attended various courses with Acacia including First Aid, Moving and Handling and Infection Control and also completed her NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care. Throughout the programme Tina had the support of the Development Officers at Acacia and other staff at Autumn House which enabled her to become an excellent Carer and employee. Acacia enabled Autumn House to take on an additional member of staff and has given Tina the opportunity to be offered a full time position and further career opportunities.”

CareMatch have recently spoken to Lesley and Tina and both are very happy with the advice, support and training they have received through the CareMatch Recruitment Service and our network. Lesley is confident that Tina will be offered a permanent post when her 6month contract ends.

CareMatch wish Tina all the best for the continuing development of her new career in the social are sector.

To find out more about how we can assist you with your recruitment needs and to hear more about teh Hub project, apprenticeships and other such initiatives please contact;

Shirley Way, CareMatch Business Development Manager – 01782 442853/07766603868

shirley.way@stoke.gov.uk

Riona Hornby – Project Support Assistant – 01782 442853

riona.hornby@staffordshire.gov.uk