Bradford and Airedale PCT ... POSH - Promoting Opportunities in Social Care & Health

Summary:

The POSH Project has been developed to enable the health and social care sector in Bradford achieve a skilled workforce which represents the diversity of the local population. The project received funding from the B-Equal Initiative (European Social Fund) which is administered by the Bradford Metropolitan District Council. The B-Equal Initiative includes around 20 projects in the Bradford district, which focus on innovative methods of eliminating all forms of discrimination and inequality in the labour market to promote the development of a workforce which reflects the district's diverse population.

Action:

The Project developed a number of key initiatives which include the following:

  • COACH(Creating opportunities in accessing careers in health) this coaching and mentoring scheme has involved working with four local upper schools with post sixteen year old students who are interested in pursuing a career in the health and social care sector.
  • The POSH Project has marketed the NHS as a potential employer through awareness raising activities aimed at local communities. Methods included the use of local media e.g. radio programmes transmitted in community languages.
  • The project has produced resource material for schools, local organisations and communities to promote the health and social sector as an employer which seeks to embrace talents and skills from the diverse communities. These include a career book 'Think of a career, think of the NHS' and DVD 'Working towards developing a diverse and reflective workforce'.
  • The learning from the project was shared and disseminated nationally at a conference held on the 11/10/2005

Outcome:

The project has demonstrated what can be achieved in a short time when all stakeholders are engaged in addressing a universal agenda, i.e. career opportunities for all sections of the community. However, successful outcomes will be achieved over a longer period leading to real change i.e. a workforce reflective of the local communities which is highly skilled to deliver high quality services.

Contact:

Sabiya Khan

Project Manager

City tPCT HQ

Douglas Mill, Bowling Old Lane

Bradford BD5 7JR

0845 111 5000 sabiya.khan@bradford.nhs.uk