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Join us at the Hastings Apprenticeship Roadshow on Wednesday 13th March, 5-9pm at Hastings Library…
Little Gate Farm celebrate the success of the pilot phase of their Supported Apprenticeship Programme during National Apprenticeship week, 4 to 8 March 2019.
Little Gate Farm are very proud of the success of their first Supported Apprentice, Jordan. This is the first Supported Apprenticeship of its kind in East Sussex.
Jordan will achieve his level 2 Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care in April 2019. He has been on the scheme for just over a year learning the skills necessary to his role as ‘Carer’. In his job placement at Southlands Care Home, Bexhill he has learnt a broad range of skills which include all aspects of Hospitality and Health and Social Care.
As well as learning all the practical aspects of his job, Jordan has also achieved most of the academic part of the apprenticeship. Little Gate Farm have worked together with Dynamic Training to facilitate Jordan’s learning which includes; completing his Level 2 Care Certificate Diploma and Level 1 Functional Skills in English. Jordan will do his Level 1 Functional Skills in Math’s in March 2019.
The impact of this success on Jordan’s outlook is undeniable and he says of his experience, “I wake up positive and never negative about going to work. I feel confident about coping on my own. I like working as part of a team. I have improved every week learning new challenges on the job every day.”
Jordan has mild learning disabilities including dyslexia which means the academic portion of the course was difficult for Jordan. However, Jordan demonstrated consistent focus to achieve and there is now a significant improvement in his literacy and math’s skills. Jordan has autism, he can struggle with meeting new people and multitasking. With the ongoing support from his job coach Carol Wells, Jordan was able to overcome these barriers. Reflecting on his development Carol says, “He has grown in confidence. He is caring and compassionate.” Furthermore, Jordan has some fine motor skills issues and low muscle tone. This meant that cutlery had to be adapted for him to help with preparing food and assisting residents with feeding.
Steven, age 18, works at Ashridge Court Care Centre in Bexhill for 3 days a week. Steven is bubbly, funny and has a huge passion for his Health and Social Care apprenticeship. He has proved a star of the Little Gate Supported Apprenticeships Programme, undertaking the role of ‘Healthcare Assistant’. He is popular with both staff and residents, often staying after his shift to chat with residents and tell them stories. Steven has a wonderful work ethic, and manager Caroline Braime has deemed him an “asset to the home”. Steven has now begun his journey on working towards his care certificate- good luck Steven!”
Little Gate Farm have been awarded £425,000 to run a new apprenticeship programme which will help 50 young people over the next 5 years, between the ages of 16 and 25 into paid apprenticeships with local employers. The young people must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Supported Apprenticeships are a four-way partnership between an employer, apprentice, education provider and Little Gate Farm who provide a specialist supported employment service.
Young people with autism/learning difficulties can do a supported apprenticeship over 2 years, working 16 hours a week with an employer and studying for 7 hours a week with an education provider. A job coach from Little Gate Farm will be there to support the apprentice whilst in the workplace and co-ordinate the learning process.
A person-centred plan to understand the apprentice’s goals and aspirations will be created, job coaches also help employers to create inclusive workplaces that are supportive to those with disabilities, making reasonable adjustments. Employers can enjoy the additional benefits of a grant of £1000, education fees fully paid through a levy and adding new skills to the business.
On this annual celebration of apprenticeships, Little Gate Farm would like to invite young people to apply for the Supported Apprenticeship Programme. You too could be one of our success stories!
If you would like more information about our Supported Apprenticeship Programme, please contact Andrea Randall-Smith on 01424 423505 or e mail: andrearandallsmith@littlegate.org.uk
