Choosing the right setting for you
There are many different jobs to choose from in adult social care, including some you may not have imagined. To help you make the right choice, take a look at some of the options available and find out which one suits you best.
Home care workers provide essential support and assistance to individuals in need, helping them maintain their daily routines, access necessary services, and enhance their overall quality of life in their own homes.
Care home workers provide compassionate care, emotional support, and assistance with daily activities for care home residents, fostering a warm and nurturing environment that helps to improve their well-being and comfort.
Nursing involves providing compassionate and professional healthcare to individuals, often in challenging situations, by assessing their medical needs, administering treatments, and offering emotional support to ensure their well-being and comfort in a variety of healthcare settings.
Community workers talk with people in their local area, find out what they need, and create programs to make sure everyone can be part of the community, so that our society becomes fairer and more helpful to everyone.
Social work involves providing compassionate and professional care to individuals, often in challenging situations, by assessing their needs, and offering emotional support to ensure their well-being and comfort in a variety of settings.
Care jobs in the spotlight
These positions will all have some things in common and also offer opportunities to develop specialist skills. Here are two examples.
Shared Lives carer
Shared Lives carers work from their own homes and communities to provide social care to individuals in need. They have the freedom to choose their working hours and clients while receiving support and training. These self-employed carers are eligible for tax benefits. Potential carers go through an assessment process and once approved, offer their homes and support to various individuals, including those with disabilities, dementia, mental health issues, and more. Matching is based on shared interests. No prior caregiving experience is necessary; only a willingness to commit time to help others. This role fosters independence and belonging, often transforming lives. Find out more about the flexibility of the role and the rewards it could bring to your life.
Drug and Alcohol Support Worker
Drug and alcohol support workers assist individuals experiencing difficulties related to harmful substance use, helping them set goals, make positive choices, and progress on their personal recovery journey. This involves providing emotional and practical support, conducting group therapy sessions, and collaborating with healthcare professionals to develop customised treatment plans for those seeking to overcome their substance use challenges.
The skills and experience you’ll need
Some employers may ask that you have some relevant knowledge or previous experience, but many are just looking for people with the right values.
Transferable skills are really useful too. So, if you’ve worked in retail or hospitality, for example, you might have great interpersonal skills, as well as being able to manage money, and know how to keep an environment safe and clean. Being able to anticipate and meet emotional needs as much as physical ones is important.
You can find out more about recommended experience and next steps here.
Relationships and support are at the core of how social care is run and managed. Not only do you provide this support, but you receive it from the organisation you work for.
Gaining work experience, skills, and experience
If you’d prefer to develop some confidence before applying for care jobs then undertaking some work experience or completing a college course could really help.
