Why work in Care?
Posted on 5th August 2024 at 11:13
What is an apprenticeship in Care? You'll complete a nationally recognised qualification and be assessed throughout your learning in your workplace. According to Skills for Care, an apprenticeship is a great way to develop your skills and knowledge to become a confident and skilled care worker. If you’re new to adult social care an apprenticeship is a really good place to start. If you already work in social care, you can do an apprenticeship to help you progress in your career.
• Care – is caring consistently and enough about individuals to make a positive difference to their lives
• Compassion – is delivering care and support with kindness, consideration, dignity, empathy and respect
• Courage – is doing the right thing for people and speaking up if the individual they support is at risk
• Communication – good communication is central to successful caring relationships and effective team working
• Competence – is applying knowledge and skills to provide high quality care and support
• Commitment – to improving the experience of people who need care and support ensuring it is person centred
Looking for rewarding work or want to upskill?
Why do you want to work in care?
What inspires you to be a carer?
Why is care work important?
What qualities make a good care worker?
What is social care? Social care is the term used to describe the personal care given by public or private organisations to help people in society who need specialised assistance to live a comfortable, healthy, fulfilling life. Services aim to provide care for and protect society's most vulnerable and this could include children, young people, adults or the elderly.
We asked Jodie, one of our Apprenticeship Team Managers “Why work in Care?”, this is what she had to say:
“Working in health and social care is a role that matters and changes people’s lives for the better. Social care is a large sector that often operates under immense pressure, however, working in this sector is the most rewarding. Being able to help someone in need and making their lives a little bit easier and knowing you are making a difference leaves you with a sense of fulfilment and joy. Within the sector there are many settings such as; residential support, nursing care, day centres, supported living and home care. Personal and professional development is key when working in this sector, with opportunities to progress into senior roles or management positions”
We asked our learners "Why work in Care?", this is what they had to say:
“During the last 14 years I have been lucky to have worked in the Health and Social Care Sector, within the prison service and the community. I have trained and worked my way up in all departments that I have previously worked in. But I have always wanted a higher qualification. I have always wanted to gain my NVQ Level 3 to ensure I am learning as much as I can and to eventually gain a degree” K Smith (You Trust)
“I started to work in Health and Social Care in 1999 when I was actually involved in a car accident, I was not seriously injured but the care I got was empowering so I decided to have a career change and have never looked back” D Purssey (Langdale Nursing Home)
“I enjoy working in health and social care because I enjoy helping people to achieve their life goals and build confidence within their selves. Growing up my father was a manager in a LD home, so I grew up around the industry. Which has always been a goal of mine to climb the career ladder within the care industry” C Kelly (The YouTrust)
“Working in health and social care gives me a sense of achievement knowing that I have provided the best care and support for individuals when the time comes to leave their homes. Ensuring they are happy and living a fulfilling life is the best satisfaction. I am working on my level 3 lead adult care worker which will provide me with more knowledge to be able to support the individuals I care for more effectively. It is important to me that I am continuously updating my skills and knowledge as things are forever changing” A Metcalfe (Contemplation Homes)
“I started doing my level 3, 5-6 years ago and I received a recognised qualification, and therefore I went into care. I work with a wonderful team of people. There are myths in care, but this is only 2% of what you hear. Working in the reablement team I see people getting better, which is rewarding and there are many development options for me” K Payne (HCC Reablement)
“I started working within a care setting following a career change. I loved the need for commitment and feeling so useful to those who required my support. During my movement within job roles I quickly realised working within care was not only looking after those in need but had given me the option for a successful career too” R Rolls (HCC Reablement)
"I like to think, I help to make a difference to someone's day, by getting the correct teams involved & the correct equipment day & night to help support and retain their independence, the thank you that you receive on a daily basis makes it all worthwhile" P Cooper (SCC)
“My passion is taking all the care enquiries, I listen and empathise with the situation because I totally understand how complex it can be sometimes, reaching a decision about what to do next to allow a loved one to stay safe and happy at home. I cannot describe how amazing it is to meet up after speaking on the phone and offering the reassurance whilst knowing in my heart we do what we say we do” K Goves (Home Instead)
“The reason I chose Health and Social care as my job is because I enjoy contributing a positive difference to people's lives whilst aiding them to become more independent also enhancing and enriching their day to day living with them” T Downer (Autism Hampshire)
“I work in social care because when my Grandparents were ill, I looked after them and found I was good at it. And nothing fazed me. I was then told by lots of family that I should go into social care. I absolutely love my job. No shift is the same and I am able to look after other people’s grandparents when they can't. It is very rewarding. I love caring” J Frost (Beechcroft Green)
“I started working in Social Care for a number of reasons, my mum has been an amazing influence with her own role within the sector but my main reason behind joining is that I feel working with people with learning and physical disabilities is my calling. Knowing I can make a difference in someone's life and care for others going above and beyond is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. I feel in some ways the Social Care sector has been let down, and as a young person joining care, I can't think of anything better than working towards making a huge difference for the future lives of the people I currently and will support in the future” B McKie (SCC)
“My son was diagnosed with borderline Asperger’s back in 2000. I took an obvious interest in what this diagnosis was and how to support him. A few years later a position came up with Hampshire Autistic Society working in a residential home for post 16 gentlemen with Autism. The rest is history” A Lovell (Chaos Support)
“I decided to work in healthcare because of the difference it can make to people’s lives, and I wanted to help provide a caring and supportive service to the public. It’s a great sector to be in, and every day is rewarding” A Wildey (Salisbury Medical Practice)
“I got into supporting people with LD as I thought it would be challenging but rewarding. I haven't been proved wrong and one of the best decisions I have made”
K Hussain (Chaos Support)
“I started when I was 11 and caring for my mum. I have always been in care since 2007, I've done various roles in the care sector. I like the fact it's a challenge and each day puts your knowledge to the test and keeps things interesting. I love working for the company I am working for now they understand my health conditions and my dyslexia, and I'm not judged” L Whitfield (Autism Hampshire)
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