A new scheme has been announced that could offer a string of benefits to the city. The Care First Careers initiative is aimed at getting young unemployed people aged 18-24 into adult social care jobs, and includes funding for training.

Local councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing is urging both employers and young people looking for work to give the initiative some consideration. She said:

"This is a very well conceived scheme as not only does is help to fill roles in a very valued and worthwhile sector, it also gives young people an opportunity that so many of them will be willing to grasp. This is the kind of tangible support that is out there for young people.

"To be eligible, the person applying for a vacancy must have been claiming income support for six months and be aged 18 to 24. The employer will receive £500 at the beginning and at the end of the first six month period, meaning there is a £1000 incentive. But crucially, there is also pre-employment training funded for the successful individual meaning they are well placed to start employment when it does commence.

"This gives young people an opportunity to try a career that they had not perhaps thought of and is work that can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable.

"It's important that we not only recruit the next generation of social care workers, but that we are planning for the increased need in this area as the population ages. The increased budgetary commitment to adult social care last week is evidence of that need, and that well only increase.

"Young people have an opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to the city by taking up this opportunity and I look forward to see how well the initiative progresses in the coming months".