Kisharon now has its second Year 12 intake of new staff on board – 16 students from schools including Hasmonean High School, JFS and Haberdashers’ Boys’ School.

All-important DBS checks are now underway and soon the group will join the eight students recruited last year who are now working at Kisharon.

With a requirement to work at least two hours a week, the students working towards their GCEs are enriching Jewish life in supported living by accompanying people we support to synagogue, running Shabbos meals and helping celebrate the festivals.

A group of girls starting soon have been allocated to run Shabbos programmes at Clara House, home to five women with learning disabilities, while the arrival of a young pianist is keenly anticipated by a lady Kisharon supports known to enjoy piano music.

But, salary aside, the Year 12 employment programme has been designed so the students will benefit too.

Rachel Ucko, Community Inclusion Coordinator, said: “By applying, the students will have learnt how to complete a formal application form, develop interview skills and will pick up many other new skills while at work. This is great for their personal statements for university and CVs. Hopefully the experience of life in social care will show them possible career paths and some may choose careers within the social care sector.

“We pay the students and naturally we expect commitment in return. The programme will be of tremendous benefit to the people we support but we also hope it will address the national shortage of those entering social care as a career too.”