Hosted by the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust at their Clinical Skills Centre, the ‘Navigating Health and Care’ event provided participants with hands-on simulations designed to reflect the challenges faced by healthcare professionals.

These included a mock ‘messy ward’ scenario where students were tasked with identifying risks, from unattended medication to poorly made beds and trip hazards. Infection prevention and control was also explored, as was the patient experience as a whole.

Communication skills were tested with a challenge requiring students to give instructions to a partner in a noisy environment, simulating the distractions of a busy ward. This involved a back-to-back Lego-building exercise, where one student instructed their partner to build a specific model. This highlighted the importance of focused listening and clear communication.

Guest speakers, Anne Burdis (widening participation manager) and Claire Pick (career engagement advisor), both from the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, delivered presentations offering valuable insights into healthcare careers.

The ‘Navigating Health and Care’ project is a collaboration between the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (HEY LEP) and the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (HNY HCP) which seeks to educate, train and develop people in order to strengthen the talent pipeline into health and care vacancies.

Lucy Gray, Careers Hub project manager, said: “Through this project we have been able to inspire the next generation, including many who may not have previously considered work in these sectors. We have showcased the breadth of roles within health and care, and the many pathways available. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with stakeholders across the region to create a legacy for more young people to discover careers in health and social care.”

In partnership with the National Careers Service and the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, the project supports schools with raising awareness of health and social care job roles. It provides students with impartial careers information, advice and guidance, offering an in-depth look at the sector’s diverse career paths, equipping learners with the knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about their futures.

One such session, led by Graeme Peart, a level 6 qualified careers advisor specialising in health and social care, took place at Withernsea High School ahead of the insight event. This provided students with an opportunity to explore entry routes into a variety of roles, including the qualifications required to progress. The session also explored finances, helping students to develop an understanding of their expected earnings while learning.     

The school’s involvement in the wider project began in September 2024, for the benefit of its year 10 health and social care students. Since its reintroduction as a standalone subject in 2022, the health and social care vocational course has proven popular at Key Stage 4, with approximately 70 students currently enrolled across years 10 and 11.

The course helps students understand how care is provided across a variety of settings. It develops empathy and respect for others and covers current public health issues; their societal impact and factors influencing health and wellbeing.

Units studied include ‘the principles of care in health and social care settings’ and ‘supporting individuals through life’. These cover service user rights, person-centred values, effective communication and protecting service users and providers. Students also learn about individual development across life stages, the impact of life events, and the support available.