South Birmingham PCT ... Gateway Family Services

Gateway is a community interest company (CIC), profits from which are reinvested in the local community.

It runs a community family worker programme to enable people to take up jobs in health, social care, and children’s services. All participants are recruited locally and given an individual learning plan, ranging from essential skills to professional training.

The programme applies a skills escalator approach so that achievement and qualifications can be used to access work at different points as skills and abilities are developed. The course has been matched to the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework and the common core of competencies for the children’s services sector. Each participant is mentored and supported throughout their training and early employment. The courses are targeted at BME communities.

Gateway also offer learners paid traineeships as part of training contracts. These provide work-based learning in addition to classroom learning.