Greater Manchester Employer of the Year 2010
Awarded by the Greater Manchester Coalition for using business acumen and leadership to actively challenge and enhance the employment and skills system the Trust was recognized for maximizing their strategic and operational impact on the worklessness agenda in Greater Manchester. As one of the largest employers in Salford, the Trust is committed to supporting its local communities by embedding processes throughout the organization that seek to reduce worklessness and increase social inclusion. Via a comprehensive range of projects and initiative, those furthest from the labour market are supported to obtain work experience, work preparation placements, apprenticeship and ultimately employment.
Job Centre Plus Regional Local Employment Partnership (LEP) 2009 - Getting Back to Work Award
The Trust and the employee who demonstrated an outstanding level of determination, perseverance and personal development to secure employment with Salford Royal received the national and regional awards. The awards showcased the very best of the best across the country, highlighting where employers have gone the extra mile to support people back into work and where individuals have seized the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment and enthusiasm.
Finalist - Partnership Award 2006 - sponsored by the BBC
This award was to recognize where employers, training providers and government agencies work together on the recruitment and skills agenda. The Trust was the only NHS Trust to be short-listed in this category. The Trust works with training provider to provide a Work Preparation programme in a variety of occupational settings.
The partnership also extends to support patients who are completing Pain Management Programmes. This service encompasses NHS clinicians from Salford Pain Centre working with Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Advisers to move patients towards work goals following clinical treatment.
Winner - Greater Manchester Large Employer of the Year 2005 – sponsored by Manchester Enterprises
The Trust won the title in the new annual Greater Manchester Employer Coalition Awards. The only NHS organisation to be short-listed in any of the seven categories, The Trust was praised for its innovative approach to recruitment and its commitment to working with the local community. By liaising with Jobcentre Plus the Trust has reduced recruitment advertising costs, appointed more staff – particularly in previously difficult to fill positions – and taken on people who have been out of work as a result of long-term sickness and disability.
Initiatives - Working with Jobcentre Plus and partners
G A T E way to Salford Royal
The Trust Jobs Shop held since 2003 has changed to support the local community and developed into an event to provide Guidance, Advice, Training and Employment information. It is now held bi monthly on the last Friday in January, March, May, July, September and November from 10am to 2pm in the Mayo Building which is on the Trust site on Stott Lane. Vacancies within the Trust are promoted and job seekers can apply for advertised posts on the day. Advice is provided to those completing application forms to ensure customers have the best possible outcome. We now have support from our construction partners Balfour Beatty, Salford City College, and Skills for Health. In addition we have visiting organizations such as Salford City Council and other Trusts in the region promoting vacancies. NHS careers information is also available for those just starting out in the jobs world. Jobcentre Plus advisors attend and provide advice to customers in relation to benefits and getting back to work and are also able to explain training opportunities available locally.
Work Preparation Programme
Work preparation allows Jobcentre plus customers with a disability and/or health condition to gain valuable in work experience whilst remaining on their benefits by undertaking a 6 week work placement which enables them to:-
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assess the impact of work on their disability/health condition,
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try a new career direction because of the limitations imposed by a disability and / or health condition
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build and develop in work behaviours and skills to further their job search
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obtain a reference and current entry for their CV.
The Trust will continue to work with Jobcentre Plus and offer these valuable placements to customers to help them achieve a return to paid employment. If you are interested in a placement and are supported by a Disability Employment Advisor at Jobcentre Plus contact Gill Holt, Eccles Jobcentre on 0161-912-8605 or 07785373674.
Confidential Advice Surgeries are held once a week and advice is provided by a specialist advisor for employees and managers to discuss disabilities and/or reasonable adjustments in the work place.
Work experience/placements
A commitment to developing young talent forms part of the Trust's overarching corporate social responsibility objectives. The hospital is based within, and surrounded by, deprived wards, with many local schools located in areas plagued by third generation worklessness. The Trust believes young people deserve the support to improve their life chances, and aims to contribute to the local solution.
The last 12 months have seen significant developments in the Trust's work experience programme for young people, thanks to a new dedicated post working with schools and colleges.
As a result the Trust was able to offer:
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63 one-week work experience placements for Year 10 and 11 students from local schools
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4 after-school club learning events for 20 Year 9 students involving 'behind the scenes' sessions with Consultant Surgeons and other health care professionals
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A staff development day for 50 local teachers and careers advisors, showing how the curriculum links to healthcare careers
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A career discovery day for 100 students from 7 local schools which introduced the students to the wide range of careers available within the NHS
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Mock interviews with 2 local schools and colleges
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Support at schools at a 3 careers fairs
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Provide a 2 day workshop programme on sitefor a group of 8 students from Salford City Academy. Balfour Beatty provided the same for a group of 13 interested in construction.
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21 additional apprenticeships introduced across the organisation within administrative and clerical roles and facilities trades
Supporting the Government's Future Jobs Fund (FJF) campaign
The Trust has also found the capacity to support the Government's Future Jobs Fund (FJF) campaign. 50 FJF posts have been created by the Trust, one placement Patient Experience Support Worker is linked to a quality improvement nutritional support programme for patients. Candidates were guided and supported through the application and interview process, and successful applicants received training on mandatory requirements prior to commencement. The posts include a comprehensive 'Introduction to Care' training and development programme to support the young people taking up the roles. Representatives from the Trust will act as referees and a facilitator from ‘Skills for Health’ provides employment skills training such as c.v. and interview preparation plus behavioural expectations as part of the programme to ensure employment is gained within the 6 months whether within the Trust or in the community.
The 50 jobs, which meet FJF's 'community benefit' criteria by being within the care setting, are part of a rolling recruitment programme and will enable 150-200 young people to benefit from the 6-month work experience package. 3 additional roles have been created within the Trust's Facilities Division to work on consumables used for patient care and another role developed to support Learning and Development educators supporting the FJF programme. Work is continuing to develop more roles across the organisation.
