The Apprenticeship Local Authority Toolkit
Learning and development - young people
Target audience: The diverse learning and support needs of the 16 to 24 year old target group was best met by high quality support and learning provision delivered in a consistent way.
Approach:Oxfordshire’s model had an identified person who acted as the line manager to all the apprentices throughout their Apprenticeship.The line manager was also responsible for; recruiting and appointing the apprentices, arranging and supporting the placements, performance management, health and safety of apprentices, liaising with training provider, promoting the scheme in schools and colleges via theI...Care Ambassadorscheme, and organising and overseeing the work experience programme.
Apprentices completed an eight day induction at the beginning of their employment before going into the workplace and then returned for training one day per week for the first six months and one day per fortnight for the second six months.They completed the induction standards during the first three months. Apprentices completed a six month probationary period and their progress was reviewed at two weeks and then at three and six months as part of this process. In addition the line manager also reviewed progress at seven and 10 months.
Management agreements were in place with external providers and placement agreements were signed by apprentices, assessors, a line manager and a workplace supervisor. A general risk assessment was completed by the line manager and additional workplace risk assessments were completed by the workplace supervisor. Work place supervisors attended a briefing session, led by the apprentice’s line manager, so they understood their role and also what they could expect from an apprentice and how to support them.
Apprentices were supported in job finding, interview and application form skills from six months into the programme. During the year the apprentices had the opportunity to attend an Oxfordshire County Council apprentice away day where they undertook a range of activities with apprentices from other disciplines. They also attended a recognition event attended by the chief executive and leader of the council. On completion of the Apprenticeship, a social care celebration event was held and attended by a senior manager from adult social care where apprentices received their certificates and an apprentice of the year was identified.
Challenges:Ensuring work place supervisors are not only role models of good practice but also have the ability to complete relevant paperwork for supervision records and risk assessments. The scheme recruited between 12 and 20 apprentices each year, as it is a small scheme it relies on one person to deliver the tasks identified this leaves it vulnerable.
Benefits:The Oxfordshire scheme ensured the consistency of delivery and support to apprentices which resulted in a high achievement and retention rate. The partnership working with health providers and the PVI sector ensured that apprentices were given the opportunity to experience a range of placement opportunities and the sector began to work together to promote social care careers and Apprenticeships.