July is Good Care Month, which recognises the “remarkable contributions and commitment of care professionals” in the UK.
Organised by Hertfordshire Care Providers Association (HCPA), and taking place every January and July, the national awareness campaign is also designed to inspire members of the public to consider care as a “fulfilling and viable career choice.”
Organisations and individuals can get involved in Good Care Month by sharing positive stories, testimonials and images of excellent care and support.
Grown your own talent this Good Care Month
To help inspire care organisations to invest in developing a strong, sustainable workforce, the HCPA is celebrating the theme of ‘Grow Your Own Talent’ this Good Care Month.
The theme relates to the idea of recruiting new staff based on their values, commitment and “caring attitude” rather than focusing on experience and qualifications.
The HCPA argues that it can be “beneficial to be open to people who have little or no experience in the care sector,” and then train them up to your own company standards. They also identify the following additional benefits to growing new talent:
- Investing in new entrants to the sector with a thorough induction and training programme can ensure increased engagement, motivation and job satisfaction from employees
- Many experienced care workers leave the sector due to a lack of career progression. Someone brand new to the sector may be more likely to stay and develop their career with you
- Someone new to the sector may bring a fresh perspective on your ways of working and ideas or skills they can transfer from a different sector
- Offering paid work, volunteer positions or work experience to people new to the sector could help inspire the next generation to consider a career in care
The HCPA are providing local care providers and attendees to their events with plant pot kits to reflect the ‘Grown Your Own’ theme and are encouraging people to share images of staff and people being supported as they cultivate new plant life.
Shine a spotlight on amazing care
They also want those working within care service to share their positive stories and experiences to help demonstrate what good care really looks like and shine a spotlight on the amazing work of the adult social care sector.
Participating in Good Care Month in this way can help care providers to boost recruitment and change people’s perceptions of a career in adult social care.
The HCPA Herts Good Care Recruitment Service reports that it supports double the number of people into care roles during Good Care Month than any other month of the year.
Beyond recruitment, Good Care Month also enables employers in the sector to recognise and appreciate the excellent work of their staff.
Invest in training for Good Care Month
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.
They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.
Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for care workers, such as Infection Control and Prevention, Safeguarding Adults, Duty of Care, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Person Centred Care and Support and many others.
Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standards, mandatory training awards, clinical skills, special focus courses and training for supervisors and managers.
A Trainer at FRT, says:
“As an organisation that works with hundreds of adult social care teams every year to provide essential training, we know just how hard they work and how committed they are to their roles and to providing safe, dignified, person centred and compassionate care to all the people they support.
“We support Good Care Month and want to congratulate and thank all those who work in the care sector for the vital job they do.”
FRT have developed a free, practical guide to Good Care Month 2025 which includes tips on how to get involved and show appreciation for care workers, as well as advice about building a compassionate, well-trained care workforce. Learn how your team can lead the way with support in areas like neurodiversity awareness, and more.
For more information on the training provided by FRT, please call them on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.