THREE previously long-term unemployed people have been recruited by a care provider through a tie-up with a Bradford-based employment firm.

Bronte Care Services, based in Clyde Street, Bingley, has taken on Trudy Ball, 23, of Odsal; Richard Hill, 44, of Thackley; and Chelsea Curtis, 22, of Holmewood, who were out of work for a total of more than 20 years between them.

They all visited Jobcentre Plus regularly, and were referred for the specialist support offered by Ingeus, based in Vicar Lane, Bradford, which delivers the government's Work Programme in the city.

Ingeus provides a network of employability programmes, skills training and health-related support, which help people to reach their potential. It has a network of more than 70 offices and more than 1,500 employees.

Jan Senior, Bronte Care Services' operations manager, said: "It's not always easy to find the right people for our jobs, which is why we turned to Ingeus and the Work Programme for help.

"We've quickly built up a great relationship with them and their support means we can avoid much of the time-consuming preliminary work of finding potential employees - Ingeus does that for us.

"We're proud to employ local people who tehn care for our service users.

"It's greatly satisfying to see new recruits develop into really skilled carers, and we're proud to play our part."