The Get Ready for Work: GP Employment Programme supports Islington residents who are currently unemployed to get them into work and help GP practices address their workforce needs.

The programme consists of three parts:

• Pre-employment training: participants will undertake training to enhance their customer service skills tailored to general practice reception and administrative role. Participants will also have access to additional training, such as IT (including EMIS and Doc Man, and communication styles).

• Work experience in a GP practice: participants will be based in a GP practice for two days per week over four weeks to gain new skills and insight into what it takes to work in primary care.

• Employment support: upon completion of the programme, participants will have access to a job interview with an Islington health and care employer or help with other aspects of employability to support their transition to work.

Practices that are willing to take part in the programme need:

• To nominate a placement supervisor who will support the participant and oversee their learning during the length of the work placement.

• To support the participant to complete a checklist during the work placement. Islington Training Hub will send to host practices a checklist that includes tasks for the participant to complete which will help them to demonstrate their learning which based in general practice.

• To be available to host a work placement two days per week over 4 weeks.

• A safe and supportive environment.

The host GP practice and participant can agree the placement timings to accommodate the practice. Islington Training Hub would recommend a mix of morning and afternoon sessions to a maximum of four hours per day.

Additional information:

• There are no costs for a GP practice who hosts a participant for work placement.

• Islington Working / iWork will provide bursaries and carer support to some participants depending on their personal circumstances and responsibilities.

• Participants will be screened by Islington Working /iWork before being placed in a GP practice for work placement. The screening placement will involve Right To Work checks, functional skills (basic understanding in Maths and English), and suitability for the programme.

• Islington Working /iWork will carry out a basic DBS check for every participant at the start of the programme. This cost will be covered by the programme. The DBS checks will be shared with the hosting practice before the placement starts.

• Hosting practices will have regular contract with Islington Training Hub and Islington Working /iWork employment support managers for the duration of the work placement.

• Prior to the work placement commencing, Islington Training Hub will arrange:

  • An introductory meeting between the GP practice, participant, and Islington Working /iWork prior to the start of work placement.

  • A series of information sessions with all GP practices prior to the start of the programme so interested GP practices can ask questions about the placement and recruitment support.

• Any concerns raised by host practices or participants at any point during the work placement will be supported by Islington Working / iWork.

GP practices who are interested in hosting a work placement can register interest here.

Upon completion of work placement, participants will have an additional two weeks of training to complete their accredited training with Adult Community Learning.

This section provides information about how GP practices can get involved in this programme.

Practices that don’t have any vacancies but want to get involved

GP Practices who are not recruiting for vacancies but would like to support their colleagues with hosting participants for work placement can register their interest here.

How to register current vacancies with Islington Working/iWork

All GP practices are invited to put forward entry-level reception and administration vacancies to Islington Working /iWork team who will find a suitable candidate for the role.

Practice vacancies are to be sent to Islington Working /iWork islingtonworking@islington.gov.uk with the subject heading ‘Get Ready for Work vacancy to be advertised’. Additionally, GP practices must also provide:

• Salary details and descriptions of benefits.

• Job description and outline of duties.

• Essential requirements.

• Desirable requirements.

• Contract details (fixed term/permanent).

• Number of roles are available.

• Application method.

• Application deadline.

• Primary contact for the vacancy.

Participants who meet the criteria for current vacancies put forward under this programme will be shortlisted following a pre-screening process and put forward for interview. Participants who do not meet the requirements of the role will receive additional support from Islington Working/iWork to further support their transition to work.

If you have any questions about the Get Ready for Work: GP Employment Programme please email us at igpf.islingtontraininghub@nhs.net