Walfinch launches career pathway programme for new carers

The programme will allow people to enter the profession and receive training and NVQ qualifications

Homecare provider Walfinch has launched a new professional career pathway programme in a bid to boost the recruitment of new carers.

With adult social care facing a recruitment challenge across the UK, it has also been added to the country’s shortage occupation list.

To tackle the problem, Walfinch has launched its pathway programme that gives people the chance to enter the profession and receive training and NVQ qualifications. Those with entrepreneurial aspirations can also get an opportunity to start their own home care franchise at a reduced investment, based on length of service. The programme will allow Walfinch-employed carers to take ownership of their own Walfinch franchise if they choose – for a reduced percentage of the fee for each year of active frontline care they have provided with up to a 50 per cent reduction in return for five years of service.

Amrit Dhaliwal, CEO of Walfinch, explained: “Our professional career pathway programme gives carers the option of turning their rewarding job into a future business opportunity if they choose; taking ownership of their own care franchise.

“Many of our existing registered managers started as carers and they cannot emphasize enough just how rewarding the work is: the people you meet, the work you do – the satisfaction of supporting individuals in your community is highly rewarding.”

Sarah Wickham, managing director of Walfinch Suffolk Coastal, is a living example of how to climb the care career ladder. Having started as a care professional herself, she progressed to care home management and now operates two Walfinch homecare branches.

She said: “I love care. My experience of providing care in people’s own homes and care homes has given me invaluable knowledge. Even after more than 20 years in the care sector, I love the variety that each day brings and I am still passionate about delivering care with empathy and compassion to the local community.”