Member Article

Ilkley business helps Leeds woman start a career in caring

The hopes of a young jobseeker to start a career as a care worker have finally been realised, thanks to a partnership between recruitment specialists Ingeus, which delivers the government’s Work Programme in West Yorkshire, and Ilkley-based 247 Nursing.

For 20-year-old Charley Smith from Belle Isle, Leeds, this is her first permanent job since leaving school four years ago. She has had a long-term ambition to be a carer, looking after the everyday health and social needs of elderly people and others in the community. However, despite her passion and persistence, finding an employer willing to give her the chance she craved proved almost impossible.

“Getting a job has been a full-time occupation in itself,” said Charley, who estimates she has applied for almost 1,000 vacancies since leaving school. “Whilst I have done temporary work, mainly in shops, what I really wanted was to support people who need help in their own homes. However, without some experience, most employers wouldn’t give me a chance.”

Charley’s lack of experience was no barrier to Kate Barnett, who is Head of Homecare at 247 Nursing, and is responsible for recruiting a team of more than 40 carers.

“We provide specialist and rigorous training to everybody who works for us,” said Kate. “What’s important to us when we recruit is to find people who can demonstrate the right attitude and determination to be the best. That’s certainly true of Charley - she is motivated, wants to achieve, and is firmly focused on the needs of others.”

Ingeus has worked alongside 247 Nursing for several months and, as a result, around a dozen long-term unemployed people now have care jobs. Charley is the latest, and it’s likely that others will follow in her footsteps.

“Our role is to understand the needs of 247 Nursing and select people for interview who we believe have the right blend of skills and aptitude for their vacancies,” said Cassie Good from Ingeus. “We’ve notched up several successes, meaning that 247 Nursing can spend more of its time delivering a first class service rather than sieving through hundreds of applicants for each vacancy that arises.”

“Being unemployed was tough,” added Charley. “With very little money and even less self-confidence, the rejections became harder to take. However, Ingeus helped me to focus my efforts, and their practical support and encouragement to reshape my CV, practice job interviews, and search for the right jobs paid off. I am enjoying every minute of going to work, earning a wage and doing a good job!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ingeus .