The past two years have been a difficult time for the adult social care workforce. As the whole world was thrown into uncertainty and struggled to understand the new and pernicious Coronavirus, care sector staff around the country did not think twice about protecting those in their care, sometimes sadly succumbing to the virus themselves.
To recognise and honour the kindness, bravery and immense efforts of the adult social care workforce and pay tribute to the people we lost during the pandemic, social care bodies across England have organised the Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection, which will take place on 17th March 2022.
As we emerge from the pandemic, the new normal has seen workers across all sectors leave their jobs at alarming rates, dubbing 2021 as the ‘Great Resignation’. If you find yourself revisiting your career goals in pursuit of more flexibility and meaningful work, you’re not alone. According to our recent report, 3 in 4 workers want to feel motivated and passionate about their work, and 64% of employees want their daily work to help better society. So, if you’re looking for a job to be proud of, could social care be the choice for you?
Here we cover everything you need to know to launch a successful career in this rewarding and high in-demand area of work.
Why work in care?
When you work in social care, you make a difference to other people’s lives every single day – and they make a difference to yours too!
Everyone has the right to live a fulfilling and meaningful life with dignity and as much independence as possible – and social care plays a key role in achieving that for many.
You’ll have the satisfaction of seeing the impact your support has on individuals who might otherwise struggle to carry out daily tasks and care for themselves, and who without the assistance from social care, could face isolation.
The adult social care workforce comprises over 1.5 million people in the UK today (Local Government Association). By 2025 it’s estimated that another one million workers will be needed, and with 96% of people working in this sector saying that they feel their work makes a difference, the care sector presents an exciting career choice with long-term prospects, flexible hours and ongoing career progression and training.
The skills and traits you’ll need
Passionate, competent staff are the bedrock of high-quality social care. You don’t necessarily need previous experience or qualifications to get started; a desire to help others and leave a positive impact on people’s lives comes first!
If you treat others with respect, listen to their needs, understand their emotions and have a warm, patient and genuine attitude, then you’re an ideal candidate for a career in care. You’ll also need to be a strong team player. If you want to progress to new roles, you can develop your skills with on-the-job training or formal education.
What you’ll do – different types of care work
Care workers are needed in many different settings. You could be looking after someone in their home, for example those with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, and older people. Or you could support individuals in residential care homes, including elderly patients with conditions such as dementia or other complex needs that make it difficult for them to live independently in their own home.
No matter which care role you do, you’ll be working to improve the quality of a person’s life, supporting them to maintain their independence, dignity and control, and no two days are the same.
A ‘typical’ working day could include going shopping, prepare a meal, organise an outing or simply lend a listening ear for someone to talk about their worries. Social care is not a nine-to-five job – it is needed 24/7 which means you can choose a working pattern that suits your circumstances and lifestyle.
For those with ambitions to move on to more senior roles, there’s opportunities to manage services, lead teams and provide planning support.
‘Why I care’
Ede Lilian Disu is a Care and Support worker with Brook Street Social Care. Here she shares her passion for working in the adult social care sector:
“My role requires a lot of patience, commitment, interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of different teams with multi-disciplinary agencies… The list is endless.
“It’s a job that is rewarding in so many ways – it warms my heart each time I’m able to put a smile on the face of individuals I provide care or support for, and the number of success stories I’ve seen from people who’ve been able to live independently thanks to being empowered by social care is inestimable!
“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, my work played an integral role in enabling care services to reach full capacity. Despite contracting Covid myself at one point, this never deterred me from carrying out my duties diligently.
“I am passionate about what I do and value the wealth of experience, knowledge and professional relationships that I’ve gained through the numerous opportunities of providing a critical and delicate service to those in need of it.”
BS Social Care has been a trusted recruitment partner to the social care sector for more than 25 years. As specialists in adult care, education, housing, services for children, and specialist social care recruitment, we know how to connect the right person to the right job, so everyone wins.
We currently have more than a thousand vacancies across the country, offering fulfilling and flexible work – from Care Assistants and Support Workers to Home Managers and Service Development Managers.
If you’re ready to make a difference – whether you’re taking your first step to launching a career in care, or if you’re an experienced carer looking to take a step up – get in touch with your local Brook Street Social Care representative today.
To find out how you can get involved in Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection, visit The Care Workers’ Charity website.
