Persona's Award Winning Approach: Involving Young People in Social Care

Company’s approach to Kickstart is award winning

A local social care company has been recognised at the Great British Care Awards North West for it’s implementation of the Government’s Kickstart scheme.  Persona Care and Support won the Workforce Development Award at the glitzy event which took place in Manchester on 12 November. They now go forward to the National Awards.

Persona provide support to people with additional needs due to age or disability. They are a local authority trading company which is owned by Bury Council. Like many employers they supported the Government’s Kickstart scheme offering 22 placements over an 18 month period. However, their implementation of the scheme was recognised as exemplary. As well as having a six month work placement opportunity each ‘kickstarter’ was provided with dedicated mentoring and support to build their confidence alongside their skills development. The team developed job coaching and employability support to ensure that each ‘kickstarter’ got the opportunity to develop a strong CV and to refine their interview skills. Placement supervisors nurtured each young person giving them the extra time and attention required to help them get the most out of their placement. All of this culminated in a placement graduation ceremony to celebrate the learning and achievement of each individual.

Laura Wolstenholme, Head of People and Communications who designed and lead the initiative said,

“It’s been a massive privilege to work with these young people through the Kickstart scheme. They have taught us so much and we’ve been able to play a part in supporting them into the career of their choice. It’s been amazing to see the change in each person from day 1 of their placement to their graduation day.”

Many of the Kickstart placements resulted in the young people going on to long term employment with over 1/3 of these successfully achieving a role with Persona. As well as winning the Workforce Development Award at Great British Care Awards, one of the placement supervisors was Highly Commended in the Frontline Leader category for her support of a young gentleman placed in her team through the Kickstart Scheme.

Click here for more details about our 2021 and 2022 Kickstarters.