Care Provider Resources and Support | Proud to Care Gloucestershire

Why contact us?

We provide fully funded services and support including:

Access to our Recruitment and Retention Network

Proud to Care set quarterly Recruitment and Retention networks both online and in person. Care providers can attend to receive the latest updates and support available. Past speakers have included Neil Eastwood, representatives from the DBS regional outreach team and Skills for Care. We aim to focus on key topics of interest to ensure the information and advice that providers receive during the sessions are useful in supporting with current issues within the sector.

Regular updates about the latest opportunities and support

If you register an interest with Proud to Care we will add you to a distribution list where you will receive regular newsletter and updates about the most current opportunities available for care providers including information on the latest events, news, training offers and recruitment opportunities.

To register an interest with us, simply complete our short provider form by clicking the link below:

Contact Form!

Proud to Care also work closely with Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub to support candidates wanting to begin a career in care. The hub offer includes supporting potential candidates throughout the application and interview process and matching them to local care employers. If you would like to know more about this please email the team at ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Why contact us?

We provide fully funded services and support including:

Access to our Recruitment and Retention Network

Proud to Care set quarterly Recruitment and Retention networks both online and in person. Care providers can attend to receive the latest updates and support available. Past speakers have included Neil Eastwood, representatives from the DBS regional outreach team and Skills for Care. We aim to focus on key topics of interest to ensure the information and advice that providers receive during the sessions are useful in supporting with current issues within the sector.

Regular updates about the latest opportunities and support

If you register an interest with Proud to Care we will add you to a distribution list where you will receive regular newsletter and updates about the most current opportunities available for care providers including information on the latest events, news, training offers and recruitment opportunities.

To register an interest with us, simply complete our short provider form by clicking the link below:

Contact Form!

Proud to Care also work closely with Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub to support candidates wanting to begin a career in care. The hub offer includes supporting potential candidates throughout the application and interview process and matching them to local care employers. If you would like to know more about this please email the team at ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Employability and Skills Hub

The Proud to Care team work closely with colleagues in the Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub, who can offer tailored support to help individuals into their ideal care or support worker role within Gloucestershire. As part of their role, they also work closely with care employers to ensure they are connected to appropriate job seekers based on values and skills required.

Further information on the Employment and Skills Hub can be found here: gloucestershire/employment-and-skills-hub/. If you would like to speak to the Employment Advisor for the care sector, please email ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

International Recruitment support

Proud to Care have created a dedicated web resource to outline the various sources of support aimed at international staff and their managers.

International Recruits Support | Proud to Care Gloucestershire

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Employability and Skills Hub

The Proud to Care team work closely with colleagues in the Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub, who can offer tailored support to help individuals into their ideal care or support worker role within Gloucestershire. As part of their role, they also work closely with care employers to ensure they are connected to appropriate job seekers based on values and skills required.

Further information on the Employment and Skills Hub can be found here: gloucestershire/employment-and-skills-hub/. If you would like to speak to the Employment Advisor for the care sector, please email ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

International Recruitment support

Proud to Care have created a dedicated web resource to outline the various sources of support aimed at international staff and their managers.

International Recruits Support | Proud to Care Gloucestershire

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Wellbeing – Proud to Care Directory

Workplace wellbeing plays a crucial role in sustaining a stable and reliable workforce. We know that staff ensure that those they support receive the best care - but who looks after them?

Proud to Care have a developed a wellbeing and pastoral support A-Z that signposts paid carers and other staff to sources of support that can help build resilience and look after mental health and wellbeing.

The page is designed for those working in the adult social care sector in Gloucestershire, including those working in care homes, domiciliary care and supported living organisations.

Please look through the local and national resources available to you.

Wellbeing Support Resources | Proud to Care Gloucestershire (proudtocareglos.org.uk)

Wellbeing – The Wellbeing Line

The Wellbeing Line is the Gloucestershire Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, offering confidential mental health and wellbeing support to anyone working in health and social care in Gloucestershire.

The service is available to all staff, no matter your role. It is completely independent of your employer, and nothing is written in your personal records.

The team is experienced in understanding mental health and provides a confidential “safe space” for people to talk about their mental health and wellbeing.

Health and Wellbeing Champions

The wellbeing line also have a wellbeing champions network, which includes staff who work in organisations who provide care.

These are individuals working in any role, at any level, who are passionate about health and wellbeing and keen to support the wellbeing of their colleagues.

Health and Wellbeing Champions are not counsellors or mental health first aiders. They help to raise awareness of support available to their colleagues.

Please also see link Wellbeing Resource to a free resource, which you can share with individuals in your organisation. The resource will explain how the Wellbeing Line can support you or your staff.

For more details go to:

https://thewellbeingline.co.uk/,

You can also email The Wellbeing Line at hello@thewellbeingline.co.uk or call them for free on 0300 421 7500.

If you are interested or have staff interested in becoming a Wellbeing Champion, please contact the Wellbeing Line team on the details above.

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Wellbeing – Proud to Care Directory

Workplace wellbeing plays a crucial role in sustaining a stable and reliable workforce. We know that staff ensure that those they support receive the best care - but who looks after them?

Proud to Care have a developed a wellbeing and pastoral support A-Z that signposts paid carers and other staff to sources of support that can help build resilience and look after mental health and wellbeing.

The page is designed for those working in the adult social care sector in Gloucestershire, including those working in care homes, domiciliary care and supported living organisations.

Please look through the local and national resources available to you.

Wellbeing Support Resources | Proud to Care Gloucestershire (proudtocareglos.org.uk)

Wellbeing – The Wellbeing Line

The Wellbeing Line is the Gloucestershire Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, offering confidential mental health and wellbeing support to anyone working in health and social care in Gloucestershire.

The service is available to all staff, no matter your role. It is completely independent of your employer, and nothing is written in your personal records.

The team is experienced in understanding mental health and provides a confidential “safe space” for people to talk about their mental health and wellbeing.

Health and Wellbeing Champions

The wellbeing line also have a wellbeing champions network, which includes staff who work in organisations who provide care.

These are individuals working in any role, at any level, who are passionate about health and wellbeing and keen to support the wellbeing of their colleagues.

Health and Wellbeing Champions are not counsellors or mental health first aiders. They help to raise awareness of support available to their colleagues.

Please also see link Wellbeing Resource to a free resource, which you can share with individuals in your organisation. The resource will explain how the Wellbeing Line can support you or your staff.

For more details go to:

https://thewellbeingline.co.uk/,

You can also email The Wellbeing Line at hello@thewellbeingline.co.uk or call them for free on 0300 421 7500.

If you are interested or have staff interested in becoming a Wellbeing Champion, please contact the Wellbeing Line team on the details above.

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Care Career Pathways – Local and National

Career pathways dedicated to the care sector are available, which highlight career progression opportunities for staff working in care. Care providers can use the pathways as part of progression conversations with their staff and CPD opportunities. The pathways outline the breadth of roles within the sector, as well as the skills, values and behaviours needed to develop further in their career.

Proud to Care have worked with Gloucestershire care employers to outline local care career pathways, however there is also a national care career pathway available.

Local career pathways for Gloucestershire:

Career Pathways | Proud to Care Gloucestershire

National career pathways:

Care workforce pathway for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Training

You can find a centralised training and development webpage hosted on the Proud to Care website.

The Proud to Care Training Directory shares details of local and national training and how to access these courses. If you feel there are any training offers missing, or if you are struggling to source a particular type of training, please complete the ‘Something to report’ form within the directory to provide feedback to the Proud to Care team.

Proud to Care Training Directory A-Z | Proud to Care Gloucestershire

Flourish

Flourish (formerly Grey Matter Learning) are a LearnTech company specialising in providing online learning for the social care sector. They offer over 130 e-learning courses and assessments.

Gloucestershire County Council part funds access to Flourish’s e-learning platform, ‘Click’, for employees of any adult social care provider and personal assistants in Gloucestershire.

Flourish | Proud to Care Gloucestershire (proudtocareglos.org.uk)

To register for an account, adult social care providers (manager or training lead) need to:

· Go to the page online registration form

· Click 'register now'

· Complete the form including your name, email and organisation and include in the 'your message' box that you are an external care sector provider

· Select 'Adult Social Care' as the area you work in

· Select 'Gloucestershire' as your LA area and

· click 'submit'.

A member of the Flourish team will then be in touch with you to seek further information regarding the organisation you work in to check eligibility for part-funded access. Once eligibility has been confirmed, the Flourish team will arrange the creation of an account for you and send you a welcome email with instructions on how to complete the set-up of your account.

LearnPro Community

LearnPro Community is a learning management system commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council and administered by the Proud to Learn team for adult social care and support services operating in Gloucestershire.

LearnPro Community provides users with access to a system to book free specialist multi-agency training offered by colleagues across the integrated care system in Gloucestershire, as well as free e-learning courses in health and social care related topics.

LearnPro Community | Proud to Care Gloucestershire (proudtocareglos.org.uk)

Please email the Proud to Learn team to request a LearnPro community registration guide. Please include the name and address of the organisation that you are currently working for. Email:

proudtolearn@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS -previously known as Workforce Development Fund)

In 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care launched the learning and development support programme. The scheme is now accepting claims for eligible courses and qualifications in the financial year 2025 to 2026, as well as those paid for in 2024 to 2025.

The scheme supports the non-regulated adult social care workforce to advance their career, develop skills and specialisms and gain recognition for their existing expertise. It does this by allowing eligible adult social care employers to claim towards costs they have incurred when putting their staff on certain courses and qualifications.

Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce: a guide for employers - GOV.UK

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Care Career Pathways – Local and National

Career pathways dedicated to the care sector are available, which highlight career progression opportunities for staff working in care. Care providers can use the pathways as part of progression conversations with their staff and CPD opportunities. The pathways outline the breadth of roles within the sector, as well as the skills, values and behaviours needed to develop further in their career.

Proud to Care have worked with Gloucestershire care employers to outline local care career pathways, however there is also a national care career pathway available.

Local career pathways for Gloucestershire:

Career Pathways | Proud to Care Gloucestershire

National career pathways:

Care workforce pathway for adult social care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Training

You can find a centralised training and development webpage hosted on the Proud to Care website.

The Proud to Care Training Directory shares details of local and national training and how to access these courses. If you feel there are any training offers missing, or if you are struggling to source a particular type of training, please complete the ‘Something to report’ form within the directory to provide feedback to the Proud to Care team.

Proud to Care Training Directory A-Z | Proud to Care Gloucestershire

Flourish

Flourish (formerly Grey Matter Learning) are a LearnTech company specialising in providing online learning for the social care sector. They offer over 130 e-learning courses and assessments.

Gloucestershire County Council part funds access to Flourish’s e-learning platform, ‘Click’, for employees of any adult social care provider and personal assistants in Gloucestershire.

Flourish | Proud to Care Gloucestershire (proudtocareglos.org.uk)

To register for an account, adult social care providers (manager or training lead) need to:

· Go to the page online registration form

· Click 'register now'

· Complete the form including your name, email and organisation and include in the 'your message' box that you are an external care sector provider

· Select 'Adult Social Care' as the area you work in

· Select 'Gloucestershire' as your LA area and

· click 'submit'.

A member of the Flourish team will then be in touch with you to seek further information regarding the organisation you work in to check eligibility for part-funded access. Once eligibility has been confirmed, the Flourish team will arrange the creation of an account for you and send you a welcome email with instructions on how to complete the set-up of your account.

LearnPro Community

LearnPro Community is a learning management system commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council and administered by the Proud to Learn team for adult social care and support services operating in Gloucestershire.

LearnPro Community provides users with access to a system to book free specialist multi-agency training offered by colleagues across the integrated care system in Gloucestershire, as well as free e-learning courses in health and social care related topics.

LearnPro Community | Proud to Care Gloucestershire (proudtocareglos.org.uk)

Please email the Proud to Learn team to request a LearnPro community registration guide. Please include the name and address of the organisation that you are currently working for. Email:

proudtolearn@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS -previously known as Workforce Development Fund)

In 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care launched the learning and development support programme. The scheme is now accepting claims for eligible courses and qualifications in the financial year 2025 to 2026, as well as those paid for in 2024 to 2025.

The scheme supports the non-regulated adult social care workforce to advance their career, develop skills and specialisms and gain recognition for their existing expertise. It does this by allowing eligible adult social care employers to claim towards costs they have incurred when putting their staff on certain courses and qualifications.

Learning and Development Support Scheme for the adult social care workforce: a guide for employers - GOV.UK

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service	Information	Link
Provider Forums	The Adults Commissioning team at Gloucestershire County Council run regular forums for care home, disability and domiciliary care providers. These are a space for providers to meet with commissioners to hear updates and share their views. Forums are run both virtually and in-person.	View upcoming forum dates here: Provider Events 25/26 \| Proud to Care Gloucestershire If you would like to attend, please contact: ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Recruitment and Retention Network	Proud to Care host quarterly Recruitment and Retention Networks (alternating between online and in person). They offer an opportunity to network with peers, share local best practice and discuss shared challenges. The networks cover various topics and include a range of speakers, with agendas informed by provider feedback. Providers have opportunity to co-chair the meeting should they wish.	View upcoming network dates here: Provider Events 25/26 \| Proud to Care Gloucestershire If you would like to attend, please contact: ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Comms and Newsletters updates (Distribution lists)	Adult social care commissioners send regular newsletters, which include updates from GCC, Skills for Care, CQC, local training opportunities and events, as well as other various sources of support. These newsletters also highlight opportunities for care providers to have their say, and welcome feedback from the care provider market. Adult social care commissioners also send ad hoc bulletins when required with further updates or resources/sources of support.	Please contact: ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk if you would like to be included on the distribution lists.

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service	Information	Link
Provider Forums	The Adults Commissioning team at Gloucestershire County Council run regular forums for care home, disability and domiciliary care providers. These are a space for providers to meet with commissioners to hear updates and share their views. Forums are run both virtually and in-person.	View upcoming forum dates here: Provider Events 25/26 \| Proud to Care Gloucestershire If you would like to attend, please contact: ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Recruitment and Retention Network	Proud to Care host quarterly Recruitment and Retention Networks (alternating between online and in person). They offer an opportunity to network with peers, share local best practice and discuss shared challenges. The networks cover various topics and include a range of speakers, with agendas informed by provider feedback. Providers have opportunity to co-chair the meeting should they wish.	View upcoming network dates here: Provider Events 25/26 \| Proud to Care Gloucestershire If you would like to attend, please contact: ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Comms and Newsletters updates (Distribution lists)	Adult social care commissioners send regular newsletters, which include updates from GCC, Skills for Care, CQC, local training opportunities and events, as well as other various sources of support. These newsletters also highlight opportunities for care providers to have their say, and welcome feedback from the care provider market. Adult social care commissioners also send ad hoc bulletins when required with further updates or resources/sources of support.	Please contact: ptc@gloucestershire.gov.uk if you would like to be included on the distribution lists.

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Skills for Care

Established in 2001, Skills for Care is the strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care in England. Skills for Care work with employers, government and partners to ensure social care has the right people, skills and support required to deliver the highest quality care and support now and in the future.

Their role is to work across the whole system to understand the key drivers of workforce change using insight, data and evidence. Skills for Care provide managers and those involved in the delivery of social care with guidance on best practice, tools, resources and intelligence to support workforce recruitment, capabilities, and culture. This combination of strategic and operational activity is the cornerstone of their reach and insight into the sector.

Home - Skills for Care

We Want You

The WE WANT YOU outreach programme supports young people ages 12-15 in discovering future health and social care careers in Gloucestershire, by providing inspiring in-person workshops to help students to reflect on the skills and personal interests that they have which can be matched to a future career.

This free offering from One Gloucestershire is designed to give young people a first-hand look at health and social care careers and the incredible opportunities it offers. The We Want You Team are passionate about empowering students to see their local health & care organisations as more than just a workplace or a place of study – it is a place where their unique skills and talents are valued, and where they can nurture a rewarding, lifelong career.

We Want You : One Gloucestershire

Contact the We Want You Team: glicb.careers@nhs.net

Proud to Care Gloucestershire is a fully funded local initiative by Gloucestershire County Council, which aims to support independent care providers with their recruitment and retention challenges. The team provide resources and highlight various local and national support services and resources available to you.

Resource/Service

Information

Link

Skills for Care

Established in 2001, Skills for Care is the strategic workforce development and planning body for adult social care in England. Skills for Care work with employers, government and partners to ensure social care has the right people, skills and support required to deliver the highest quality care and support now and in the future.

Their role is to work across the whole system to understand the key drivers of workforce change using insight, data and evidence. Skills for Care provide managers and those involved in the delivery of social care with guidance on best practice, tools, resources and intelligence to support workforce recruitment, capabilities, and culture. This combination of strategic and operational activity is the cornerstone of their reach and insight into the sector.

Home - Skills for Care

We Want You

The WE WANT YOU outreach programme supports young people ages 12-15 in discovering future health and social care careers in Gloucestershire, by providing inspiring in-person workshops to help students to reflect on the skills and personal interests that they have which can be matched to a future career.

This free offering from One Gloucestershire is designed to give young people a first-hand look at health and social care careers and the incredible opportunities it offers. The We Want You Team are passionate about empowering students to see their local health & care organisations as more than just a workplace or a place of study – it is a place where their unique skills and talents are valued, and where they can nurture a rewarding, lifelong career.

We Want You : One Gloucestershire

Contact the We Want You Team: glicb.careers@nhs.net