Attracting a new workforce in health and social care across Suffolk and North East Essex

Health and care organisations are collaborating as an Integrated Care System (ICS) to develop a Workforce Priority Plan for the mental health and Learning Disabilities (LD) workforce. This plan aims to address the challenges faced by the mental health and LD workforce across the entire system.

A series of workshops involving multiple agencies (health, social care, voluntary sector and universities) were conducted to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in integrated working among the health, social care, and third sectors.

This resulted in a number of priority areas that we are now working on;

  • How we use population data to identify a clear view on what is needed in the region based on need and demand.
  • How we work together as one system on issues such as recruitment and retention.
  • How to attract a new workforce into health, social care and the voluntary sector.
  • How we can offer more student placements as a system to be able to increase the uptake of university places.
  • How we can offer more apprenticeships and work experience.
  • How we can work together to identify training opportunities.


We are also looking for organisations that may be willing to support a Mental Health and/or Learning Disabilities student nurse.

You can read more about Breaking the Barriers of Branch Specific Nursing by clicking here

If you can help, please click on the "Expanding mental health / learning disability nursing student placements" tab below and complete the form. We will then set up a meeting with a university partner to explore options.


Thank you for taking part on our surveys!


We would like to thank everyone that has completed our 'VCFSE Training Analysis' survey, and 'Hearing your voice on a career in Health and Social Care' survey. Your contributions and insights are incredibly valued and will help to shape our future work.


Survey results can be found on the right hand side of this page.


Information on careers in mental health and learning disability

Careers in mental health and learning disabilities professions support a wide number of people in our communities. We are keen to ensure that information is available to explain what skills and qualifications are needed to enter these rewarding roles.


Health and care organisations are collaborating as an Integrated Care System (ICS) to develop a Workforce Priority Plan for the mental health and Learning Disabilities (LD) workforce. This plan aims to address the challenges faced by the mental health and LD workforce across the entire system.

A series of workshops involving multiple agencies (health, social care, voluntary sector and universities) were conducted to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in integrated working among the health, social care, and third sectors.

This resulted in a number of priority areas that we are now working on;

  • How we use population data to identify a clear view on what is needed in the region based on need and demand.
  • How we work together as one system on issues such as recruitment and retention.
  • How to attract a new workforce into health, social care and the voluntary sector.
  • How we can offer more student placements as a system to be able to increase the uptake of university places.
  • How we can offer more apprenticeships and work experience.
  • How we can work together to identify training opportunities.


We are also looking for organisations that may be willing to support a Mental Health and/or Learning Disabilities student nurse.

You can read more about Breaking the Barriers of Branch Specific Nursing by clicking here

If you can help, please click on the "Expanding mental health / learning disability nursing student placements" tab below and complete the form. We will then set up a meeting with a university partner to explore options.


Thank you for taking part on our surveys!


We would like to thank everyone that has completed our 'VCFSE Training Analysis' survey, and 'Hearing your voice on a career in Health and Social Care' survey. Your contributions and insights are incredibly valued and will help to shape our future work.


Survey results can be found on the right hand side of this page.


Information on careers in mental health and learning disability

Careers in mental health and learning disabilities professions support a wide number of people in our communities. We are keen to ensure that information is available to explain what skills and qualifications are needed to enter these rewarding roles.


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Hearing your voice on a future career in health and social care

    We are interested in hearing from you about how to attract new people to work in health and social care.  If you are a young person planning your career choices or a parent or careers advisor assisting a young person in choosing their future career, please take part in our survey.   This will help us design and target recruitment clear and precise material designed specifically to help you make subject choices for your future.

  • Expanding mental health / learning disability nursing student placements

    We are looking for organisations that may be willing to support a Mental Health and/or Learning Disabilities student nurse.

    If you can help, please register below, we will then set up a meeting with a university partner to explore options.  

    Please note that by completing this form, you agree to your contact details being stored outside of the Let's Talk SNEE platform. 

    Complete Form
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    VCFSE training needs analysis

    VCFSE – Organisation Training Needs Analysis

    Are you an organisation that provides support for people with mental health or learning disabilities?

    We are keen to understand what training your organisation needs to support your staff, with a focus on mental health and learning disability.  We are keen to ensure that, where we can, we open up training as a system.  This benefits all staff in working together and better understanding system/organisation issues and challenges.  As well as leading to a more skilled, engaged, and productive workforce.

    We will not be able to guarantee that we will be able to provide the training you need, we will however, endeavour to let you know what is available.

    If you are keen to take part please click on the "Take Survey" button below.

    Please note this survey will close on 13th October 2025.

Page last updated: 16 May 2025, 05:03 PM