Support for adult social care managers

Leadership and Peer Support Network

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council facilitates a strong network of care sector leaders that supports learning and sharing of best practice related to safe and effective management of care in the Borough.

This networking group is a source of information, co-developed by the network that provides access to stories, guidance and evidence and assists improvement of practice.

These monthly meetings bring together registered managers and other care leaders in Stockton-on-Tees to share learning and practice, spread innovations and ideas and enable opportunities for peer-to-peer support. Meetings are free to attend, and refreshments are provided.

Contact Julie Nisbet, Transformation Manager, at Julie.nisbet@stockton.gov.ukto be added to the mailing list to receive updates on this network.

Skills for Care Registered Managers' Network

Skills for Care Managers' Networks are a place for managers to come together with other managers in your local area. They offer a safe space to connect with peers, an opportunity to be open with each other and to support each other's challenges, as well as building and sustaining a positive collective identity. At each network, managers share knowledge and can access peer support. They hear from a range of guest speakers including local Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection teams, commissioners, Integrated Care System (ICS) representatives and local wellbeing hubs. Certificates of attendance are also offered and are a great way for managers to evidence CPD to the CQC.

Our networks are chaired by managers and new attendees are always welcome. Contact your Skills for Care locality manager to find out what's happening in your area and how to join your local network.

Locality manager for Stockton-on-Tees is Diane Reynolds who can tell you about the network in our area.

Email:diane.reynolds@skillsforcare.org.uk 

Well Led Programme

The Well Led Leadership Programme is an "inside-out" focus on leadership development to help participants to:

1. focus on their strengths and,
2. to understand the impact they have on the team and how to adapt their style to suit the situation they are facing.

It is a bespoke programme which fits in with emerging needs, therefore the content is adapted to suit the ever-changing climate of social care. At the core of the programme is a focus on self, engagement, power, influence and operational agility.

The programme is open to registered managers, deputies, seniors or any other care staff that would benefit from a developmental opportunity.

Spaces are limited to 20 places on each cohort, therefore expressions of interest are required via a request form, and decisions on final delegates list determined following conversations with providers and the local authority Transformation Team at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

For further information on future cohorts, please contact Julie Nisbet, Transformation Manager on Julie.nisbet@stockton.gov.uk 

Workforce Development Fund (WDF)

The Workforce Development Fund is funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The Workforce Development Fund supports the provision of high-quality care and the continuing professional development (CPD) of staff across the adult social care sector by providing a contribution towards the costs of vocational learning. The fund allows you to claim back money towards the costs of workers completing a broad range of adult social care qualifications, learning programmes and digital learning modules.

Full details of the workforce development fund can be found at on the Skills for Care Workforce Development Fund website.

Apprenticeships

Hire an apprentice and invest in the future by getting talent that's right for you. An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences.

Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. 

An apprenticeship includes: 

• paid employment with holiday leave 
• hands-on-experience in a sector/role of interest
• at least 20% off-the-job training 
• formal assessment which leads to a nationally recognised qualification

If you are a smaller employer, you are eligible for government funding which will pay between 95% and 100% of the apprentice training costs. If you are a large employer, you can use your apprentice levy to pay for your apprenticeship training.

Apprenticeships are suitable for people at any age and any level so you can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee, allowing you to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. They help you to:

• offer on-the-job training in a safe working environment
• build a culture of learning and development
• enjoy higher staff retention and morale
• promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Future-proof your business

We know how much your business means to you and know how important it is to find the right people for the job.

By offering an apprenticeship you can ensure that the skills developed are matched to your company's current and future needs. This will help fill any skills gaps and allow your business to source future managers and leaders from within, so you don't have to worry.

• 92% of companies that have taken on apprentices believe this leads to a more motivated and satisfied workforce
• 86% said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
• 80% have seen a significant increase in employee retention

Apprenticeships are an exciting option for both apprentice and employer.

You can employ apprentices at different levels, from school leavers and university graduates, to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely.

You can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee.

The benefits for your business

Hiring an apprentice is a productive and effective way to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

• 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation
• 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity
• 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service

Other benefits of working with apprentices include:

• you can adapt their training according to the needs of your business
• they're motivated to learn new skills
• you can expand and upskill your workforce

How much does it cost?

This depends on the size of the business. If your business pays the apprentice levy then the training is funded through the levy. If you don't pay the apprenticeship levy, you pay just 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice. The government will pay the remainder up to the funding band maximum.

However, if you employ fewer than 50 employees, the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship training costs up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged:

1. 16 to 18, or
2. 19 to 24 with an education, health and care plan provided by their local authority or has been in the care of their local authority.

You'll pay the training provider directly and agree on a payment schedule.

Paying your apprentice

You're responsible for paying your apprentice for their normal working hours and any training they do as part of the apprenticeship.

You must pay them at least the National Minimum Wage rate depending on their age

What funding is available

Government

Employers and training providers could get £1,000 each for taking on an apprentice who is either:

• aged 16 to 18 years old, or
• aged 19 to 25 years old and has an education, health and care (EHC) plan or has been in the care of their local authority

The first payment of £500 should be paid to the employer by the training provider after 90 days of the apprenticeship training start date.

The final payment of £500 should be paid to the employer by the training provider after 365 days of the apprenticeship training start date.

Training providers have 30 working days to make payment to employers.

Tees Valley Combined Authority - Apprenticeship Support Grant

For SME's identified by Tees Valley Combined Authority as being in one of the Priority Sector, there are two grants available:

• apprentices aged 16-18 - £3,000
• apprentices aged 19+ - £2,000

For SME's not identified as being in one of the Priority Sectors, there is a grant of £500 available for Apprentices aged 19+.

Tees Valley Combined Authority will assess the application and will advise on which grant if any you could be eligible for.

For more information visit the Tees Valley Combined Authoriy Apprenticeships Support for Employers page.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council - Youth Employment Fund

Up to £1,000 available to businesses located in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees who create a new apprenticeship for a resident of the Borough aged 16-24 years of age.

The first payment of £500 is paid to the business within four weeks of the employment start date.

The final payment of £500 is paid to the business after 26 weeks of the employment start date.

Further resources and support

For more information and to discuss any of the above please contact:
Roland Todd
Phone: 01642 526184
Email: roland.todd@stockton.gov.uk

Visit the gov.uk Apprenticeships site.