May Newsletter

New Learners

Thank you all for your support in managing the volume of demand in the last 2 months. We did say don’t leave it to the last minute but as predicted that is how it panned out.  Hopefully most of you have benefited from the excellent support from Nicki & Eileen to access Invest in Health funds.

It has been extremely hectic for assessors and managers. We have had 400 learners start over the last 2 months, this is quadruple our usual volume.  So please be patient as the assessors try to see them all this month. We have 3 new assessors coming!

Changes for Small / Medium Employers within Apprenticeship Levy

With the introduction of the Apprenticeship Reforms and Funding Changes 2017/18 from 1^st April 2017 small/medium employers will have to contribute 10% for each Apprenticeship. Funding is available for 90% of apprenticeship costs. Payments start from the 1^st May 2017 for all SMEs.

Levy paying employers will have been informed that they are paying a levy and have an account. These employers will pay 90% towards an apprenticeship and funding is matched 10%.

The government website has really detailed fact sheets on how the system will work, how this can be paid and accessed, or you can contact DHA and speak to one of the Employer Engagement Officers  with any queries on what impact the new system will have to your company and to learners on future qualifications.

We are also eagerly awaiting Skills for Care announcement in May about the Workforce Development Fund for 2017/18.
 

National Great British Care Award – Home Care Worker of the year 2017

We send our congratulations and a big well done from the whole team to Mini Patel, who this week has won National Great British Care Award – Home Care Worker of the year 2017.

Mini works for Choice Care Blackburn and is currently undertaking his Level 5 Higher apprenticeship with DHA.

National Awareness 2017

With April being National Stress Awareness Month, Skills for Care and other health care providers have joined forces to build up understanding of the topic and put strategies in place to reduce the risks factors to identify stress, as well as the importance of reducing own stress and to raise awareness of the benefits of work life balance.  We have added new resources to the well being section within Edmodo DHA learner folders with links to services and facilities.
In May the Alzheimer’s Society is asking everyone to unite against dementia.

Dementia is set to be 21^st century’s biggest killer, but awareness and understanding of the condition is still low and families often are unaware of the affects. A new TV advert is also coming out soon.