A first-of-its-kind Academy giving Care Workers a roadmap into management roles, with the potential to earn £50k+ salaries, has been launched by national Extra Care and Retirement Living provider Housing 21.
The launch comes at a crucial time. Approximately 42,000 Care Workers left their roles between June and December 2021 — an exodus partly driven by myths surrounding the lack of career progression in care.
Led by Housing 21, which has 20,000 properties across the UK, the Extra Care Academy’s two-year funded programme will deliver a mix of theoretical and practical training from industry experts from a collection of its Centres of Excellence — its highest performing schemes.
Tackling misconceptions that there are no clearly defined career paths in care, the programme will equip successful applicants with the leadership skills and necessary qualifications to progress to management and senior management level into roles — such as Assistant Care or Housing Manager, Scheme Manager and Regional Manager — while also including a Level 3 Health & Social Care qualification.
Throughout the programme, cohort members will continue earning a full-time salary, ensuring their training and development does not come at the expense of income.
Kris Peach, Executive Director Extra Care at Housing 21 said: “This is a real industry-first training academy for Care Workers, offering a clear route to management level for the next generation of promising care professionals. For too long the industry has forced Care Workers to choose between a fulfilling job they love and the career they deserve.
“At Housing 21, we want to eliminate that dilemma by giving people the chance to pursue a successful career in the care sector. We wanted to redefine careers in care by providing both hands-on experience and classroom training towards a qualification.
“Applicants will be able to tailor the course to their career aspirations, whether they want to become a Care Manager, Housing Manager, Scheme Manager or even a Regional Manager.”
Jamie Lindon-Lewis, Head of Quality Assurance and Commissioning at Housing 21, started his career as a Care Worker at 18. He has since worked his way up and now works within the Operations team managing Housing 21’s care quality.
Jamie commented: “The Extra Care Academy creates a development pipeline by investing in the sector’s top talent and the care leaders of the future, as well as challenging the misconceptions that successful careers in care do not exist.
“At the end of two years at the academy, those that pass can apply for job roles at management level and use the skills they will have acquired throughout the programme.”
“We have always valued our Care Workers and recognise the important role they play in improving the lives of our residents. They are at the very heart of our organisation and we have always encouraged opportunities to progress.”
