How can we help?

When young people are referred to Dr B’s we invite them to come along for an informal visit with their parents/carers or career advisor if they wish. The visit lasts for about an hour and in addition to a tour of the project, they meet the staff and trainees and are given leaflets with information about the project to take home and read. If they are interested in training with us they can then arrange to come along for two or three consecutive look /see days, with at least one in the main kitchen and one in the restaurant. This gives them a taste of what the work is like in these areas and a chance to decide which they prefer if they wish to start training.

Each young person then starts one month’s assessment which includes an induction programme. A review is held at the end of the month to see how they enjoyed themselves and how well they have done. They are then offered a fulltime place on the scheme for between one and two years. During this time the trainees will attend at least one placement this is either one day a week for up to three months or a block of two weeks. It is hoped that a second work placement will lead to an offer of a job but if this does not happen then they will return to Dr.B’s and work with the employment research worker to find employment.

Trainees successes are celebrated with an awards night. Parents, carers and friends can come along and enjoy watching the presentations of certificates and awards to the trainees and also enjoy a relaxed evening with the trainees and staff.

Each trainee also has an individual farewell ceremony when they have the opportunity to tell the other trainees and staff where they are going and what they will be doing when they leave Dr.B’s.