Work in social care

ReAct+

The ReAct+ progamme aims to help individuals aged 20 or over, who have been impacted by redundancy, gain the skills sought by recruiting employers.

All applicants for ReAct+ grants must seek advice and guidance from one of Working Wales’ careers advisers. This advice and guidance will take into account the labour market.

The ReAct+ programme can provide a grant of up to £1,500 for vocational training and up to £200 to help with costs associated with training, for example travel expenses. Additional support for care and childcare costs to remove barriers to employment is also available.

Find out more about ReAct+.

Introduction to Social Care

This is a training course for people who are interested in working in social care.

The four-day training course is available for anyone living in Wales and it will take place on-line with a tutor. The training will cover the essentials you need to start working in social care such as communication and safe working practices. When you start working, you will also receive extra support and training from your employer.

Find out more, or register your interest with WeCare Wales.

Apprenticeships

There are apprenticeships available at levels 2,3,4 and 5.

Apprenticeship roles vary from day care or creche assistant practitioners and social care workers to managers and deputy managers of early years and social care settings.

Find out more about apprenticeships in Wales.

Hear from those who have completed an apprenticeship in care on the WeCare Wales website.

Training from PACEY

PACEY provides training to help develop knowledge, skills and self-confidence.

A range of training is available from pre-registration training for childminders, to safeguarding training for anyone working with children.

Find out more about training from PACEY.

Personal Learning Accounts (PLAs)

The Personal Learning Account (PLA) programme has been introduced to enable employed people to upskill and reskill into priority sectors, to strengthen their position in the labour market, and to enhance career and earning prospects.

In particular, the programme aims to help people earning below the median wage to increase their salaries. There are a range of different qualification levels.

Level 2 core qualifications

The level 2 core qualifications are suitable for people over the age of 16 who are looking to work in social care and early years roles. Achieving the core qualification will give people the core knowledge needed to work in social care and early years. These qualifications can be studied at further education colleges.

Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care

This is a knowledge-based qualification for learners employed within the health and social care sector who intend to progress to a management role. The qualification:

• Provides a ‘stepping stone’ opportunity for learners wanting to progress to Level 5
• Is primarily for those in paid or unpaid employment or who have access to a work placement
• Is designed for learners to develop the key knowledge and understanding that underpins leadership and management in the health and social care sector

Learners are required to complete this qualification (or an agreed comparable qualification) prior to taking the Level 5 Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care: Practice qualification.

Level 4 Preparing for Leadership and Management in Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development

This is a knowledge-based qualification for learners employed within the Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development sector, that:

• Provides a ‘stepping stone’ opportunity for learners wanting to progress to Level 5
• Is primarily for those in paid or unpaid employment or who have access to a work placement, in regulated childcare settings with families and children under the age of 8 and NHS children’s services for those working with families and children 0 – 19
• Is designed for learners to develop the key knowledge and understanding that underpins leadership and management in the Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development sector

Learners are required to complete this qualification prior to taking the Level 5 Leadership and Management in Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice qualification

Find out more about Personal Learning Accounts.