Academy legacy | Programme concluded 31 July 2026

Celebrating the people and partnerships that opened doors into care

The North Central London Health and Social Care Academy helped local residents explore careers, build confidence, prepare strong applications and move towards good work. The funded programme has ended, but practical help continues through local employment support teams.

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North Central London Health and Social Care Careers Hub logo

The Academy identity, celebrating a shared North Central London legacy

Built around local people

Helping residents understand their options and take the next step

The Academy brought councils, NHS organisations, community partners, Jobcentre Plus, training providers and employers together. Its purpose was simple: make health and social care careers easier to understand, easier to access and better connected to real local opportunities.

Explore careers

Residents could learn about health and social care roles, entry routes, qualifications and the skills employers look for.

Prepare to apply

Support included CVs, applications, supporting statements, NHS Trac guidance, interview preparation and confidence building.

Progress into opportunity

Residents were connected to training, volunteering, work experience, apprenticeships, temporary placements and permanent jobs.

Programme impact

A legacy measured in confidence, skills and good work

Across its lifespan, the Academy delivered tailored support and training, helped residents move into work and responded quickly when local workers faced redundancy.

1,600+ people received tailored support and training
900+ residents were supported into good work
107 displaced workers were supported into new roles
What did good work mean? Fair pay, fair hours, development opportunities, employee voice and inclusive workplaces.

The Careers Hub in action

Personal support for a recruitment process that can feel complicated

The Careers Hub provided a coordinated route from first contact to work-ready support. It helped residents understand job profiles, navigate NHS recruitment and present their skills with greater confidence.

  • Person-centred careers guidance and an individual support plan
  • NHS Trac webinars and practical help with online applications
  • CV, supporting statement and interview coaching
  • Links to volunteering, work experience, apprenticeships and live roles

At first contact, 58% of Careers Hub participants were unemployed and 64% were from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

494North Central London residents engaged
545individual support sessions delivered
151healthcare placements since May 2025
425temporary placements recorded

Achievements in action

Partnerships that created real routes into work

The Academy combined practical support for residents with close work alongside employers and local services. These examples show what joined-up action achieved.

Paid pathways for care leavers

Around 14 internships

Taster sessions, volunteering, employer meetings and supported applications helped care leavers secure 18-month internships paid at the London Living Wage.

Inclusive recruitment in Enfield

7 job offers

Ten candidates were screened through a partnership with Enfield Carers Centre, Enfield STEP and Jobcentre Plus. Eight were suitable and seven received offers.

Rapid support after redundancy

4 NHS roles

Nine residents affected by redundancy were referred, six interviewed and four secured NHS roles within four months through tailored careers and application support.

I feel much more confident applying for NHS roles now.
Feedback from a resident supported by the Academy

What continues

The programme closed, but the lessons and local pathways remain

The Academy identified four principles worth carrying forward. For residents, they mean a clearer starting point, better coordination and support linked to real opportunities.

1

A clear place to start

Make the route into support visible and simple, so residents know where to go first.

2

Joined-up local support

Keep referrals organised and connect residents to the right service without unnecessary detours.

3

Real employer demand

Link preparation and training to current vacancies and the skills local employers need.

4

Resident voice

Keep confidence, accessibility and inclusion at the heart of every pathway into work.

The strongest legacy is effective practice becoming the normal way partners help residents move into good work.

Ongoing support

Your next step starts here

Local employment support teams can help you prepare for work in the care sector. Support may include CVs, applications, interviews, confidence building, training and finding suitable opportunities.

CVs and applications
Interview preparation
Training and skills
Care sector job search
Barnet Camden Enfield Haringey Islington
Find my local employment support team View current care vacancies

Local services have their own eligibility criteria and cannot guarantee employment. Check the linked service information for current details.

Thank you

A legacy built together

Thank you to every resident who trusted the programme and to every partner who helped create the pathways, opportunities and achievements celebrated on this page.

Residents Local authorities NHS organisations Care employers Community partners Jobcentre Plus Training providers Greater London Authority