24th September 2025
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has brought local employers together to explore how they can support care experienced young people while developing their workforce.
The event was organised by the 14 plus employability service which aims to improve the education, training and employment outcomes for care experienced young people.
Employers from the private, public and voluntary sector across Armagh, Dungannon, Craigavon, Banbridge, Newry and Mourne attended to learn how they can help young people achieve their career aspirations while gaining valuable employees.
Paddy Rooney Deputy Secretary Work and Health Group DFC, Roisin Sloan Deputy Director of Employability Programmes DFC, Colm McCafferty Southern Trust Director Children and Young People’s Services, Stella Kelly Southern Trust Interim Assistant Director of Corporate Parenting and Alastair Hughes Southern Trust Non-Executive Director.
Children and
Young People’s Services
Guests heard from young people who have participated in the Department of the Communities funded Jobstart scheme along with employers who have benefited from the experience.
Speakers from the Department of the Communities, the Southern Trust Employability Service, ABC Labour Market Partnership, Equality Commission and Ulster University explained how to get involved and what support is available with Jobstart programmes.
Thanking everyone who attended, Colm McCafferty, Director of Children and Young People’s services for the Southern Trust said: “We very much appreciate that local organisations want to support their communities, create employment and help people to prosper.
“Many young people in care will have experienced hardships and trauma, which can leave it difficult for them to reach their full potential. We have around 700 care experienced young people living in the Southern area and we want to make every effort in supporting them to grow and develop into confident, independent adults who can achieve their aspirations and make a valuable contribution to their community.
“Access to training, education and employment is pivotal to positively shaping the futures of our young people, so we are delighted to team up with local employers to develop innovative opportunities.
Our young people are ambitious, hard-working and determined to reach their goals with so many personal and professional skills and qualities that would be an asset to any organisation.”
The Jobstart scheme is one of the most successful programmes organised through the Trust’s employability team. The employability team offers support to both the young person and the manager taking part in the programme.
Young People who have been supported by 14 Plus Employability Service
Anthony, Supply Chain Manager said: “As a manager, our young person has been a great asset to our team, I would highly recommend it to other employers. It has been a valuable experience to myself and all of my colleagues and for that young person to become part of our team and have full time employment. It has been a great opportunity to bring the young person into the workplace, develop confidence in themselves and ensure employability going forward.”
Labour Market Partnership Team
One young person who works as a healthcare assistant at Craigavon Area Hospital shared their experience: “Jobstart offered me a win, win, as I was able to gain qualifications while working and earning. The staff made me so welcome and watching the nurses in their role has been really inspiring, making me realise I want to pursue that career. I can now do blood pressures, take bloods. I am more confident in myself and it has helped me gain so many achievements which has made me feel like a better person. I really hope that other young people get the same opportunity.”
Another young person added: “I was a school leaver at 16, working as a day care assistant and didn’t really know what to do. The employability team offered me a Jobstart programme which I thought was amazing. I got my driving theory test, driving lessons and a qualification in health and social care. They always checked in with me and I have now secured a full-time post where I have a great relationship with the staff and service users. I don’t think I could have done this without the job start programme.”
Brigin McWilliams, social worker said: “All care experienced young people have hopes dreams and aspirations for the future. It would be fantastic if there were more businesses that would take part in these schemes to give our care experienced young people a chance. You are also making a difference to their lives, really setting them up to meet their full potential.”
Department Managers in the Southern Trust who supported 14 Plus Employability Service
The event ended with an agreement around how the Trust and employers will work together to build futures and help change the lives of care experienced young people going forward.