People from working-class communities in North East Lincolnshire will be among those supported onto the Health and Care sector career ladder, as the Government’s Plan for Change tackles rampant health inequalities and gets Britain working.
This comes after the launch of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, which will tackle wider health inequalities and support millions of people in parts of England historically left behind.
The Government has confirmed a new pilot to support an initial 1,000 people nationally from groups or areas worst hit by unemployment into careers in the health service.
North East Lincolnshire will benefit from the scheme – with an aim to get unemployed young people, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions in the area into work.
Backed by £5 million nationally, the new pilot programme will teach important skills to support a move into the health and care sector, alongside support with job applications and preparing for interviews.
Participants may also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in a local health and care employer. Individuals could then move into roles like nursing support roles and pharmacy support roles, kickstarting an exciting, long-term careers within health and care.
Mentors and youth ambassadors will support people into health and care jobs, with the help of job centres and local charities – boosting the local workforce and supporting patients.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “For too long, working class people have been boxed out of working in the NHS. As the largest employer in lots of towns around the country, the NHS should be acting as anengine of growth and employment within the very communities it serves.
“The 10 Year Health Plan is committed to tackling health inequalities – and we are hitting the ground running, making sure people in North East Lincolnshire, no matter their background, have a way out of the inactivity trap.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are delivering an NHS fit for the future and offering a ladder out of poverty and into work.”
Jayne Adamson, Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s Deputy Chief Executive/Executive Director of People, said: “We welcome this investment and the opportunity it brings to transform lives in North East Lincolnshire.
“By opening up real pathways into NHS and social care careers for people from working-class communities – including young people, unpaid carers, and those out of work – we are investing in both individual futures and the health of our local population.
“This pilot will help ensure that our health and care workforce reflects the communities we serve and supports people who might otherwise feel locked out of stable, meaningful employment.
“It’s not just about filling jobs – it’s about creating opportunity, tackling health inequalities, and building a workforce that understands and represents the people of this region.”
Sharon Stead, Programme Lead (Workforce & Innovation), said: “The Widening Access Demonstrators fund presents a transformative opportunity for the people of North East Lincolnshire, particularly those who face significant barriers to employment.
“Building on the success of the NEL Health and Care Partnership’s People and Skills Pledge and Care Plus Group Employability Services, this initiative strengthens our ‘Grow Our Own at Place’ model, a collaborative, place-based approach that connects employers with education, training, and employment providers.
“Designed to tackle workforce shortages in health and social care while promoting social mobility, this approach acts as a single point of access to create sustainable employment pathways.
“It will play a vital role in developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, while opening up access to secure, meaningful employment opportunities for local people.”