SOCIAL CARElife changing work
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The work is challenging, and it can be difficult, however, it's very often rewarding and it's certainly full of opportunities.
Workers in the sector establish relationships with those they help. Breaking down communication barriers, identifying a problem, finding a solution, are all aspects of the job.
The diversity in social care means the opportunities are vast.
It's true that those involved in social care often deal with issues in society that most people would rather not think about.
So why do it?
Social care workers help many different people live fulfilling lives.
"When I arrived in Glasgow from Nigeria 26 years ago, I started work as an assistant cook in a large maternity hospital, eventually working myself up to become cook.
After a break to have a family and once they were all at school, I decided to go back to work. This time I wanted a change of direction and wanted a job working and helping people in my local community. I saw the advert for home carer and decided to apply.
My job as home carer involves working with a variety of different client groups, from vulnerable elderly people to young people with disabilities. Many of the people I work with have no family and are isolated and lonely and just the sight of a friendly face can make a real difference to them.
Just knowing that you have made a difference to someone's life, no matter how small, gives me a great deal of job satisfaction."
Elizabeth Ibe
Home Carer
Areas within Social Care
As social care touches so many people, there are many different areas within the sector.
Residential care with young people
For some children and young people residential care is the best option. Residential workers care for young people in small group settings.
Responsibilities include special roles such as assessing the needs of young people, and providing the specific support needed by each child. Residential care workers may also plan recreational activities, supervise day to day routines and assist in maintaining links with the young person's family.
Work with young people in residential care can also include managing moves to foster care or adoption, assisting young people who are experiencing problems at school, or providing support as they move towards adulthood and independence.
Residential care with young people (cont.)
Residential care workers may also offer help and advice to adult family members with a view to restoring relationships between the young person and their family.
Residential care with older people
The role of staff in Scotland's residential homes is essential in providing a safe and secure environment for older people in need of care. Staff work in a team to ensure residents receive care that meets their individual needs and that they have the highest possible quality of life.
Other roles in residential care
Social care workers can play a key part in the lives of people who have learning or physical disabilities or who are living with physical or mental health problems. The care provided by staff in all residential homes is about creating an environment where residents have dignity, maximum choice and can fulfil their potential.
"I began my career with a six week temporary contract at a local children's residential home.
This had an immediate effect on me, highlighting the diversity of the skills required to work in the field.
My previous experience mainly involved planning and organisation of youth groups, although individual work with young people was limited.
Working in the children's home enhanced my knowledge and provided the motivation to seek a long term career in social work. That was twelve years ago and although the job has proved challenging, it has also been extremely rewarding. Most importantly I am following a fulfilling career which provides job satisfaction and enables me to feel valued."
Willie Gorman
Social Work Assistant,
Children & Families
"We help people live as independent a life as possible.
It's about finding out what the clients want to do - it may just be going shopping or on a trip - and then making it possible. It's always different, you can be quite creative.
You can see people excited and motivated, being happier in their lives.
To make it happen, you need a good team who share the same values. Good communication is vital as is keeping the client's needs first and foremost all the time. We all need to work together.
A positive attitude is crucial - it's about encouraging people to make choices. It's a great life experience."
Caroline Brown
Resource Centre Officer
Work in the community can involve working as part of an outreach team, visiting homes where, for example, parents are finding it difficult to cope with their children, or where a person with a learning disability is living independently for the first time.
This type of work also sees care workers making contact with young people and adults in youth clubs, day care and residential homes and drop-in centres. Much of the work is challenging. Community care workers may help people who are involved in drug or alcohol misuse, are offending or are engaged in behaviour threatening to their own well-being.
Home Care
Providing someone with care in their own home delivers dignity and independence. The provision of day to day visits help tackle social isolation through human contact. Home care workers liaise with other service providers, neighbours, friends and family.
The jobs are as varied as the clients, yet the goal remains the same - to make a positive difference, and help people live a better life.
Those in the field will tell you that they first recognise the person, not the issue or the illness.
Getting to know a person is rewarding. Helping them get the most from life is even more so.
Elizabeth Stewart is a support worker with Capability Scotland. They provide accommodation for adults with physical and/or learning disabilities.
"I support people with disabilities to overcome the discrimination they sometimes face as they move into their local communities. One of the best things about my job is the sense of achievement I get from doing it. Nothing is more satisfying than supporting people to learn new skills and realise their potential.
I enjoy the fact that my job offers me the opportunity to develop my own skills. Capability Scotland is committed to staff training and development and I am currently undertaking my SVQ Level 3.
On the whole I would say it is a demanding but very rewarding career that has enabled me to have a really positive impact on people's lives."
Elizabeth Stewart
Support Worker, Capability Scotland
Training
Social care offers a range of flexible jobs full of opportunity. As you progress, you will be expected to develop skills through work based training, or perhaps at your local college or through courses at university.
Higher National Certificate
Higher National courses provide both practical skills and theoretical knowledge appropriate for a career in social care. You can study HNCs full-time at college taking a year to complete. Some colleges offer them through part-time study and day release. If you are interested, you should contact your local college for details of entry requirements and the HNC's that they offer. For further information go to www.sqa.org.uk
Scottish Vocational Qualifications
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) set out best practice in particular areas of work by stating the skills, knowledge and values required for competent practice. Choosing the right SVQ is a matter for discussion between a worker and his or her manager, as the worker's role will determine which SVQ he or she should take. Further information is available from the Scottish Social Services Council or from the Scottish Qualifications Authority on 0141 242 2344
The following SVQs are particularly relevant:
- SVQs in Care at levels 2,3, & 4
- SVQs in Caring for Children and Young People, level 3
- SVQs in Promoting Independence, level 3
- SVQ Registered Manager, level 4
Voluntary Work
If you're thinking about a career in social care, it might be worth your while to do some voluntary work to test this out. Working as a volunteer or unqualified worker can:
- lead to subsequent paid employment
- inform decisions about your future career
- provide experience for entry to a course
You can find out more from the Care in Scotland website www.careinscotland.co.uk
Next Steps
To find out about job vacancies in care work in your area phone Jobseeker Direct on 0845 60 60 234.
For careers advice contact the Scottish Social Services Council on 0845 60 30 891.
' I started as a day carer working for the local council in my own home because it suited my family commitments. I worked with a range of children and their families including children with disabilities. I had no child care qualifications but my life experience and experience as a day carer meant I was able to apply for a nursery assistant post at a local social work children's centre.
I worked there for 11 years. I was given the opportunity to do training including aspects of counselling and British Sign Language. Eventually I felt confident enough to do the HNC in Social Care.
At the children's centre some of the parents were very young. I felt the skills I learned could be used with young people before they had their own children. That's how I come to be working in a residential care home for young people. The work is challenging and can be frustrating but I feel very worthwhile. Everyone deserves the chance to turn things around and make their life better and hopefully I can be a part of that.'
Eileen Keith
Residential Care Officer, Young People's Centre
For careers advice in Social Work and Social Care, please contact the Scottish Social Services Council on0845 60 30 891
Visit our website to discover more about careers in care,www.careinscotland.co.uk
To find out about vacancies in your area call Jobseeker Direct on0845 60 60 234
Compass House, Discovery Quay
11 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY
Tel: 0845 60 30 891
Email:enquiries@sssc.uk.com
Web:www.sssc.uk.com