Our leadership credentials as a people-first care company continue to grow with the recent achievements of both Ross McCrann and Gbemisola Akinyemi, who have each been recognised for their outstanding leadership.

Our Preston branch has long thrived under the impressive leadership of Ross McCrann. Always driven by a passion for growth, Ross embarked on a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, further cementing his expertise. He was then specially invited to join the prestigious Mary Seacole Award for Leadership Programme, a remarkable feat typically reserved for NHS leaders. Despite the programme’s intense demands – lasting an additional six months, requiring online studies, all-day workshops, 24 contribution assignments, and a significant final paper – Ross excelled, emerging with the coveted award. “Although intense, it was an opportunity for me to develop my leadership skills further that I could not pass. Being the best leader possible for my team will ensure that they always get the support they need,” Ross said, reflecting on his journey.

Margaret McDonald, Regional Manager, commended Ross: “I’m proud of Ross’s drive to continually reach new heights. Leaders like Ross are the reason we are the number one care company in the sector.”

In addition, Gbemisola Akinyemi, our Regional Manager in London, recently joined Ross in earning the prestigious Mary Seacole Award for Leadership. Reflecting on this significant milestone, Gbemisola shared, “Graduating from the Mary Seacole NHS Leadership Programme in healthcare is the start of a new chapter in compassionate, resilient, and purposeful leadership. It shows my dedication to growth and my future as a leader who is ready to help my teams and individuals succeed in healthcare and beyond.” Her words resonate with the essence of our company vision – building the best place to work in care. Gbemisola’s success adds to our leadership foundation, driving home our commitment to nurturing compassionate leaders who prioritise the well-being of both their teams and the people we care for.

Together, Gbemisola and Ross represent the strength of our leadership and embody the passion that thrives in a company that truly puts people first. Their achievements reflect our continued dedication to growth, leadership, and providing exceptional care while building a culture where our employees can grow into the best versions of themselves.

We’re proud to shine a spotlight on the outstanding leadership of Thelma Akpakpa, the manager at Bristol Court Extra Care scheme in London. Her dedication to putting people first is making a significant impact to life at the scheme, and her efforts are being rightfully recognised.

When Thelma stepped into her role at Bristol Court, she brought a passion for change and an unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our tenants. In just a few short months, she has led with both courage and compassion that has not gone unnoticed – the team at the local authority sharing these kind words that highlight Thelma’s impact:

“We would like to acknowledge that Thelma has been an exceptional interim manager at Bristol Court, bringing about noticeable positive changes in just a few months. Thank you for your hard work and for supporting the scheme so effectively.”

We’re incredibly proud of the work Thelma has done, and it’s clear that her efforts are reinforcing Bristol Court’s reputation as a place where care and compassion thrive.

It’s dedicated individuals like Thelma, along with the entire team at Bristol Court, who truly make a difference at CCH Group. They embody our values, drive our mission, and help us build something truly special: the best place to work in care.

We’re halfway through National Apprenticeship Week, so we’re bringing you a very special Q&A on all things apprenticeships at City & County.

Let’s clear up a few things.

1) What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences.

Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.

An apprenticeship includes:

• paid employment with holiday leave
• hands-on-experience in a sector/role of interest
• at least 20% off-the-job training
• formal assessment which leads to a nationally recognised qualification

2) Will an apprenticeship cost me any money?

The apprenticeship programme is free, City & County Healthcare Group will cover the cost utilising our apprenticeship levy. When you become an apprentice, you’ll need to cover the cost of your day-to-day expenses, such as lunch and travel as you would as a normal employee.

3) Who can do an apprenticeship at City and County?

Anyone aged 16 years old and above, there is no upper age limit. There are no formal qualifications needed to do an apprenticeship at City & County Healthcare Group. You must be employed by City & County Healthcare Group.

4) How long does an apprenticeship take?

The duration of an apprenticeship depends on the course being followed and the ability of the individual apprentice. An apprenticeship can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of apprenticeship, the apprentice’s ability and the industry sector. As a guide, an Intermediate Level 2 apprenticeship usually takes around 12 to 18 months and an advanced Level 3 apprenticeship around 24 months

5) What sort of apprenticeships are available for care staff?

We have a wide-ranging offer following our career pathway.

1. Adult Care Worker Level 2
2. Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3
3. Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Level 4
4. Leader in Adult Care Level 5
5. Chartered Manager Degree Level 6 (BSC Hons in Health & Care Management)

6) What sort of apprenticeships are available for non-care staff?

We have a very large offering for our non-care staff that is relevant to the function you work within. To provide a few examples of the apprenticeships on offer see below:

1. Team Leader Supervisor Level 3 (CMI/ILM)
2. Operations Departmental Manager Level 5 (CMI/ILM)
3. Business Admin Level 3
4. CIPD Level 3 & 5
5. AAT Level 2 & 3
6. ACCA / CIMA Level 7
7. Associate Project Manager Level 4
8. IT Solutions Technician Level 3

7) How is my apprenticeship assessed?

End-point assessment (EPA) is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment of whether you have developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.

Assessments are designed by employers in the sector and are conducted by independent bodies known as end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs).

As well as successfully completing the EPA, you may need to complete several additional requirements before completion. This might include mandatory English and maths qualifications. Once all elements of the apprenticeship are completed, you will receive the apprenticeship certificate.

8) How will I be supported throughout my apprenticeship?

Managers that have people who enrol onto this programme will play an important part in their development. Managers will have access to the reports and portal’s where they can keep up to date with the progress of their learners who are on the programme. As a minimum, managers will be asked to complete checklists that log activities their learner has completed in the workplace and the extent to which they are competent in these activities. These checklists will be supported by the trainer and can be easily recorded on the Employer Portal.

9) Will I be given time off work to study for my apprenticeship?

Where it is a requirement for a learner to have a professional qualification to perform his/her job role, the company may support study, and allow appropriate time for exam preparation, balanced with workload. Eligibility for study support will be decided upon whether the qualification is essential to the job role. This is primarily relevant to professional roles e.g., surveying, finance, legal, HR and IT. This will be agreed between the learner and their line manager, depending on the apprenticeship they will undergo. This will be shown on the labour model under training hours.

10) What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship?

During an apprenticeship programme they will be working towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship standard. This is accredited by relevant industry regulatory bodies and will help further their understanding in the chosen career. Depending on the type of programme an apprentice enrols onto they may also have the chance to work towards QCF accredited diplomas and qualifications in Maths and English.

All-in-all, apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative route to progressing your career. City & County offers a whole host of apprenticeship programs for existing staff.

Interested in joining City & County? Visit cch.careers for more information about our current vacancies and training programs.

City & County announces a new vision ‘to become the best place to work in care’, prompting changes in the company’s organisational structure and ways of working

In a recent summit, a new vision and focus on a ‘People First’ strategy was agreed upon with senior leaders from across the country. As the largest care company in the UK, City & County’s commitment to improve the employee experience holds the power to revolutionise the sector.

“A primary focus of mine is to put our employees at the heart of the organisation. It is their determination to improve lives and provide an exceptional standard of care that fuels our company,” said Gary Fee, CEO, City & County Healthcare Group.

Fee went on to recognise the Group’s achievements to date, which have ideally positioned them for the next phase of their evolution. “I am proud of what we have accomplished – we have grown both organically and through acquisitions, built a diverse range of services, created a technically advanced multi-platform system and ensured high-quality care for our clients”.

While City & County will continue to push forward on all fronts, their new vision – to become the best place to work in care by prioritising their people – marks an important transformation for the company. “By nurturing our teams and creating a culture of trust, connection and recognition, our people will be at their best to support the happiness of our clients”, said Fee.

To deliver the new vision, multiple ‘people first’ initiatives and a new organisational design was presented at the Leadership Summit. Leaders from across country left the event energised and ready to pioneer a new standard of care that will have a positive impact on both clients and employees.

National Dementia Carers Day

12th September is National Dementia Carers Day, the aim of which is to recognise informal dementia carers. Looking after a loved one with dementia can be challenging, and so it’s important to understand what it means to be a carer.

Did you know?

• By 2025, it’s estimated that over one million people in the UK will have a diagnosis of dementia.
• Dementia can affect a person at any age but it’s more common in people over the age of 65.
• There are over 200 subtypes of dementia and some of the most common types  are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
• Symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, confusion, and problems with speech and understanding – that get worse over time.

Many of our City & County care workers also support clients who are living with dementia and they do an extraordinary job. In addition to their paid work,  some of our care workers also care for loved ones at home who are also living with dementia. This can be hugely demanding and requires care to be carried out with patience, kindness and compassion.

Thank you 
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all carers everywhere for the amazing job they do in supporting people who are living with dementia.

#‎NDCD2022