Introduction to Care
Funded by the North Ayrshire Council’s LEP Award
Thinking About a Career in Care?
Are you unemployed and looking to take your first steps into a meaningful, rewarding career? If you're 18 or older and ready to make a difference, KO-NEKT's Introduction to Care can help you build the skills, confidence, and real-world experience to start working in health and social care.
We’re empowering people to build on their skills, knowledge, confidence and experience to start a career in care.
All participants must be unemployed and aged 18+.
[The trainer was] very clear with details. Makes it much easier to comprehend. Excellent training skills. Very approachable if you’re not clear about certain things. I loved interacting with the group. I was learning even more due to some of the questions being asked by the group during the session.
I am very confident in what kind of learner I am, how I can look at other ways to learn, and how we can all work as a team.
The trainer made me feel really welcome, went into detail about course, was approachable, and [it was] a lovely group.
Jodie was engaging and encouraged everyone to have open and safe discussion. Jodie was clear and supportive, making sure everyone understood everything before moving forward.
I’m very happy with everything and feeling positive. The information is clear and the trainer is always there if we need help. I enjoyed the group work with case studies the most.
I love how everyone has their own minds and opinions on stuff and we can say [our thoughts] without feeling judged. The pace and how the everything was presented was perfectly. Jodie is honestly amazing, I couldn’t ask for anyone better. She’s so supportive and not judging anyone one bit and makes the group so welcoming.
Jodie is very clear and engaging. The pace was perfect and she took the time to make sure everyone understood before moving on and finding a way to explain if someone had trouble grasping a concept. We were 100% encouraged to share ideas, thoughts, and to ask questions. I feel more confident that I am someone who has empathy and I know how to communicate better with people – verbal or non-verbal.
I felt engaged – the trainer was very supportive to us all and the training was at a good pace. I’m happy with everything and learning new terminology.
You Will:
- Develop Confidence and Workplace Readiness
- Gain Practical Experience
- Engage directly with individuals who have additional support needs through a supported placement.
- Learn to Effectively Communicate
- Learn how to communicate sensitively, clearly, and professionally within care environments.
- Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, using de-escalation techniques through Effective Communication.
- Understanding the principles of Active Listening, Informed Choice and Empathy.
- Understand Key Frameworks and Legislation, including:
- Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC)
- SHANARRI Wellbeing Indicators
- Health and Social Care Standards
- Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice
- Child Protection and Adult Protection Procedures
- Be Introduced to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Understand the impact of trauma and the principles of trauma-informed care practice.
- Develop Core Care Skills, including:
- Creating and reviewing Care Plans
- Maintaining accurate and professional records
- Planning and delivering person-centred activities
- Conducting basic risk assessments
- Build First Aid Awareness
- Gain introductory knowledge of emergency response and safety in care settings.
- Gain introductory knowledge of emergency response and safety in care settings.
What Sets This Course Apart?
- Engaging, Interactive Training
- Scenario-Based Training
- Trainees learn how to respond appropriately to realistic situations they may face as care professionals.
- Meaningful Work Experience
- Trainees will gain valuable, hands-on experience through a work placement supporting individuals in care.
- Career Development Support
By the end of the programme, participants will have:
- Completed a care-focused training and work placement
- Built a work-ready CV
- Gained practical skills and confidence
- Moved toward employment, further training or education
- Access to further qualifications in care
Local Employability Partnership (LEP)
This course is made possible through funding from the North Ayrshire Local Employability Partnership (LEP) Award, which supports local people to access meaningful, sustainable employment. Backed by North Ayrshire Council and other key partners, the LEP Award helps remove barriers to work and offers tailored opportunities for training and growth — ensuring no one is left behind. KO-NEKT’s Introduction to Care is proud to be part of this community effort to build a skilled, confident local workforce in health and social care.