Southern Healthcare has launched a free training programme for young people, creating a pathway into social care careers while helping tackle staff shortages across the sector.
The initiative comes at a time when youth unemployment remains a significant challenge. Around 15 per cent of 16–24 year olds were unemployed in 2025, making them three times more likely to be out of work than the wider working-age population.
At the same time, adult social care continues to face acute workforce pressures. Skills for Care says the sector recorded a 7 per cent vacancy rate in England in 2024/2025 – around three times higher than the wider economy – underlining the urgent need to attract more people into social care careers.
Southern Healthcare’s programme is designed to tackle both issues by equipping young people with the skills, confidence and experience needed to enter the care workforce.
Southern Healthcare’s managing director, Geoffrey Cox said: “Everyone deserves the chance to build a meaningful career. This training programme is about opening doors for young people who may not have had the opportunity to improve their skill set, learn something new and take their first steps towards a rewarding future.”
The free training programme will begin with an introductory webinar giving participants an introduction to the social care sector. Those who wish to continue can progress to more in-depth training, including extended webinar sessions followed by a week-long course covering specialist topics such as the Eden Alternative and Southern Healthcare’s own in-house training, as well in-person training opportunities at their training academy in Devon.
Geoffrey added: “Southern Healthcare is nationally recognised for delivering a high standard of care, investing in outstanding training and development, and creating a workplace where our teams feel valued and supported.”
Demand for care is rising as the population ages and needs become more complex, but recruitment remains a major challenge. Skills for Care’s latest data shows there were around 111,000 vacancies in adult social care in England in 2024/2025, despite vacancy levels falling back to pre-pandemic levels.
Southern Healthcare’s training programme aims to provide a clear, supported route into employment for individuals who may otherwise struggle to access training or work opportunities and ultimately encouraging people into social care careers.
According to Government commissioned reviews and the ONS, a combination of economic and social pressures has made it harder for young people to find work with fewer entry-level opportunities available across a range of industries.
At the same time, rising economic inactivity, worsening mental health and the lasting effects of the pandemic have all contributed to more young people becoming disengaged from work or education, while higher employment costs and increased automation have made some employers more cautious about recruiting inexperienced workers.
By offering accessible entry points into the profession, Southern Healthcare aims to build a stronger, more sustainable care workforce while giving young people the opportunity to build meaningful, long-term social care careers.
For more information on any training Southern Healthcare offers contact margot.whittaker@southernhealthcare.co.uk
Southern Healthcare are one of the South West’s leading care providers. We are recognised for our outstanding standards of care, innovation, and commitment to quality of life.
- Three of our homes have achieved Outstanding ratings and one has a Good rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), reflecting our commitment to delivering exceptional care and support.
- All four of our homes hold Eden Alternative Platinum accreditation and are recognised for creating environments where residents and team members can thrive.
- Southern Healthcare’s homes have also been recognised through the Meaningful Care Matters Butterfly and Dragonfly programmes, demonstrating excellence in relationship-centred care and dementia support.
Some of our most recent accolades include:
- Care Group of the Year Winner (2025) at the Caring UK Awards.
- Commitment to Training and Development and Employer of the Year (2024) at the Caring UK Awards.
- Commitment to Training and Development and Employer of the Year (2024) at the National Care Awards.
- Care Employer of the Year (2024) at the Caring UK Awards
- Outstanding Commitment to Social Care (2024) for Margot Whittaker, Director of Nursing and Compliance, at the Caring UK Awards.
- Care Employer of the Year (2023) at the Great British Care Awards.
- Multiple national and regional award nominations and finalist positions across care, dementia support, leadership, training, and complex care.