This advertorial is in association with the Department of Health and Social Care.
While most of us will likely be familiar with the idea of adult social care, our understanding of how varied and rewarding this career path can be is perhaps less detailed.
Social care is about enabling people to live with dignity and independence, by providing both personal and practical support.
It's a career in which you could have a profound, real-life impact, and it might surprise you to learn just how different each working day can be; from running activities to helping people develop valuable life skills.
What's more, it’s a job that is becoming increasingly important. According to a report from Skills for Care, "there's an estimated 1.49 million people working in social care, and by 2035 we'll need to fill around 580,000 more jobs”.
We spoke to three people who work in social care about the values you need to get started, and it's clear that compassion, empathy, and a desire to help others run through the core of what they do.
Mollie and Julia, both 18, work for Take a Break Warwickshire, and spoke about their experiences.
Mollie was inspired to pursue a career in social care by her mother, who is a Support Worker. Remarkably, Mollie first began helping her mother out when she was just 14 years old and hasn't looked back since.
Mollie now coordinates a range of weekly group activities for adults with learning disabilities. One gentleman she works with loves to swim, and seeing how much he looks forward to it is one of the highlights of her week.
“Definitely do it, it’s a very rewarding job,” she says of care work. “It brightens your day when you have a good time with the people you support.”
For Julia, a typical day could include leading a yoga session in the morning and then a cooking lesson in the afternoon.
Julia says that the most rewarding part of her work is helping those she supports to achieve their goals – but it’s not always easy. “When you’ve had a hard day at work, if something has happened or someone gets upset about something, it can be hard because you just want the best for them," she says. "But seeing them develop and succeed in their dreams and knowing you’re a part of them doing it - it’s an amazing feeling."
Christie-Anne, Workforce Manager for Take a Break, reiterates how fulfilling a career in social care is. “It will open up a whole different world of what your career could be,” she says. “We’re always looking for young people with fresh enthusiasm and ideas to help progress the service they give to the community.”
If you're considering working in social care but want to find out if it's the right choice for you, then you could think about doing some volunteer work in the sector. Your school or college might be able to help you with voluntary opportunities, or you could contact care providers directly.
Alternatively, a social care apprenticeship is a great way for people of all ages to gain experience, achieve a qualification and earn a wage. There are different levels depending on your skills and experience.
Visit www.everydayisdifferent.com to find out more about job roles and apprenticeships.