What is it like to work in care?
Tameside care staff talk about what its really like to work in care.
Why start work in the sector?
A job helping people in their daily lives can be very rewarding. Those who work in social care often say that they benefit from the work just as much as the fantastic people they support. Here are some great things they say about their job:
The feeling of making a difference and building positive relationships are often the first things that people will say they love about their work. They describe feeling valued and supported to do a great job.
There is lots of variety and flexibility as to where you work (residential, supported living, domiciliary and community settings) and who you work with (younger adults, older people, and people with various support needs and strengths), as well as what job role you can undertake.
Adult social care is a sector that invests in its workforce and so long as you have the right values employers will provide training and development opportunities to support your job role and career progression. There are many ways in which you can progress your career. For example, specialising in a particular area such as dementia, mental health, autism, etc, or progressing into management roles. You may want to move into a regulated professional, e.g. nurse, social worker or one of the 14 allied health professional roles.
Are you ready for a career in adult social care?
If you have the right values, a career in adult social care can be immensely fulfilling and offers a chance to make a genuine difference in the lives of others.
Where can I start my career?
How to find my first job?
There are many entry-level roles, such as care assistants or support workers, that don’t require any formal training or qualifications. Employers are firstly interested in you as a person and in your values. If you are the right person and have the right values then they will be happy to invest in you and help you to grow your skills to start a job in care. Here are some top tips to secure your first job in care:
Know where to look
You can use the following sites to find adult social care jobs in Greater Manchester:
Volunteer first
Volunteering is a great way of getting into a care job, you will gain a deeper understanding of what the job is so that you can be sure that it’s what you want to do. There are a number of ways to find a volunteer role in care.
– You can ask a social care provider near to you whether they take on volunteers
– Many local authorities have information on local volunteering opportunities for example
– There are some websites where you can search for volunteering opportunities
Prepare for Application & Interview
Find examples of when you have cared for someone. Having these examples will help you to complete an application or answer questions in an interview, as well as helping you to understand if you enjoy caring for others.
You may have cared for an elderly relative or a friend who has just come out of hospital or you may be that person who everyone wants to speak to if they have a problem. Writing about these examples or talking about them in an interview will help to demonstrate that you have the right values & qualities to work in care.
For further guidance on application forms, CV’s and interviews visit https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice#getting-a-job
Visit care homes in your local area
This is a great way to find a job close to home, by visiting a care home and asking for a time to speak to a manager, you can get a good feel for the organisation and what it would be like to work there. It also shows your motivation and commitment.
There are lots of organisations in Greater Manchester who can help you to find a job. If you are currently unemployed – you can get help at your local Job Centre Plus. Other GM organisations providing support to find work are:
The Growth Company
https://www.gcemployment.uk/locations/greater-manchester/
Your local authority
Gaining Knowledge and Skills in the sector
Although you don't necessarily need any qualifications to start a role in social care, you might want to complete a course to gain an understanding of what it's like to work in the sector. To begin a career in a regulated profession such as nursing, social work, allied health, you will require a degree or to have completed a relevant apprenticeship.
Health and Social Care courses
Your local college will have a range of Health and Social Care courses, usually starting from Level 1. Competing a course like this will give you foundational knowledge and skills relevant to adult social care roles. These courses cover topics like communication, safeguarding, health and safety, and understanding the role of a social care worker. Completing one of these courses will help in securing entry-level positions such as care assistant, support worker, or healthcare assistant. Most colleges have links with employers as well as staff who can assist you to apply for jobs.
For information on courses available and where to access please either visit the website of your local college or go to https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/find-a-course
T Level in Health
The T Level in Health focuses on preparing students for roles within the healthcare sector, which can include adult social care settings. This 2-year Level 3 course covers a range of topics such as anatomy and physiology, infection prevention and control, communication skills, health and social care legislation, etc. It also includes a significant work placement component, providing hands-on experience in healthcare environments.
For more information, please visit https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects/health
Degrees & Apprenticeships
Hear how others started their journey
GREATER MANCHESTER SOCIAL CARE CAREER JOURNEY – Kim
This is a career journey of Kim Burke who currently working at Persona.
GREATER MANCHESTER SOCIAL CARE CAREER JOURNEY – Chris
This is a career journey of Chris Holt who currently working at Persona.
GREATER MANCHESTER SOCIAL CARE CAREER JOURNEY – Carmen
This is a career journey of Carmen Gillon-Weerasinghe who currently working at Persona.