100th Kick Start Bonus Paid

Congratulations to Michelle Leverington, the 100th successful Kick Start to Care Participant

Care Development East are thrilled to announce the 100th recipient of the Kick Start to Care bonus scheme.

Michelle Leverington started a new career in care in October 2022, when she began working as a Care Assistant for Orwell Housing Association. As she was new to working in the Care Sector her employer entered her into the Kick Start to Care scheme, and after successfully completing a 12-week working period, Michelle has received a £750 bonus payment.

Christian Bone, Chief Executive of Care Development East said ‘We are delighted that so many of Suffolk’s Social Care providers have benefitted from this scheme. Attracting new people into the care sector has always been a challenge and the Kick Start programme has provided employers with a much needed recruitment incentive in what is a very competitive jobs market’

Michelle said “I was delighted to hear I’m the 100th successful Kick Start in Care candidate, the £750 is a very welcomed bonus. I would recommend anyone looking for a change in career to the Care Sector, especially if you like talking, and making even the smallest of differences to people’s lives you will easily be rewarded. The last 3 months have flown by and the team I work with have been incredibly supportive, I’ve already been told I’m a part of the family.”

Jackie Piacenti, who submitted the Kick Start application for new starter Michelle comments: “When Orwell Housing Association learned about the Kickstart a Care Career scheme, we agreed without any hesitation that it would be great to get involved. Orwell has always been supportive in providing opportunities within our Care and Support division for people without experience or thinking about getting back to work. We immediately took action and got involved with the initiative by promoting the opportunity within our own job adverts. The incentive has boosted our recruitment campaign success and we are very proud to have welcomed new colleagues into #TeamOrwell and looking forward to welcoming many more. Supported by Care Development East, the initiative has enabled us to support employment within the local Suffolk community and offer many job opportunities for new and returning Care and Support workers.”

Care Development East is dedicated to promoting excellence across the social care and health workforce in the east of England. We provide impartial advice, support, guidance, and information to the sector operating as an independent, non-profit making organisation.

Care Development East works with a range of organisations and partners to deliver a high-quality service, develop new initiatives, improve access to training, and to promote rewarding careers in care through our brand Care Careers Suffolk and the I Care…Ambassadors scheme.

Kick Start for Care is an exciting scheme to attract new staff into the care sector. The incentive started in June 2022, to date there have been over 200 candidates entered into the scheme. The Kick Start for Care scheme provides a £750 bonus for new starters into a CQC registered provider in Suffolk, so this is a great incentive those looking to move into the Social Care Sector. The scheme is funded by Suffolk County Council and facilitated by Care Development East.

For further information about the Kick Start to Care scheme, please contact michaela@caredevelopmenteast.co.uk

Further Information For further information about Care Development East and the services offered please visit our website https://caredevelopmenteast.co.uk