Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21 - 196

O

ne positive to come out of the pandemic is that care
is finally being valued and the people who work in
this sector are being recognised for the valuable and
difficult job they do, particularly during difficult times.
Around 850,000 adults receive publicly funded
long-term social care in the UK, primarily in care and
nursing homes or their own homes. In addition, there are over 220,000
episodes of short-term care provided each year. The sector currently
employs over 1.5 million people in England alone according to Skills For
Care (SFC), which supports adult social care employers, and with the
number of elderly people in the population set to rise, more carers will
be needed over time.
If you're looking for a change of career, here are five great reasons
why you might want to consider a role caring for others.

Working hours are flexible
With a career in care you can fit your work
around other commitments. Flexi-hours
are often the norm and around a quarter
of the care workforce (24%) are on zerohours contracts, according to SFC. So,
whether you're studying, raising a young
family or caring for a relative, you should
be able to find a role that fits in with the
other important things in your life.

Age isn't a barrier
You don't have to be in the first flush of
youth to work in adult care. In fact, 25% of
people currently working in the sector are
aged 55 and above. So if you are looking to
make a fresh start, your age shouldn't be
a barrier to a role in care. Bear in mind,
though, that a moderate level of fitness
is required as the job can be physical.

You don't need qualifications
For most roles, formal qualifications aren't
necessary. It's far more important to have
the right attitude and attributes, such as
patience and a desire to help others.

Job satisfaction is high

" So many go on to have
successful careers "
Sharon Fenn is the care home manager
at Marston Court, Oxford for The Orders
of St John Care Trust
" I've worked in the care sector for
38 years and joined The Orders
of St John Care Trust (OSJCT)
in 2001. I had wanted to join the
police, but after taking a part-time
job in a care home I changed my
mind - I found it so rewarding!
" My first role was as a care assistant
and I'm now a care home manager.
I make sure everything runs well so
we have happy and well residents,
motivated staff and residents' family
members confident in the care
their loved ones are receiving.
" The best part of my role is
leading a home full of motivated

employees enjoying their job and
dedicated to keeping the residents
safe and happy. Watching as
colleagues go from their first day
to being promoted is wonderful.
I've seen so many people who I
recruited go on to have successful
careers - one is even my boss now!
" The most challenging thing during
the pandemic has been keeping people
happy and engaged. We are having
to do more work but it's rewarding to
find new and innovative ways to keep
people active and families updated,
managing Zoom and Skype calls to
ensure they still have that connection. "

Despite the low pay, care workers tend to
be committed and enjoy spending time
with the people they look after. You'll make
a huge difference to the quality of life of
those most in need. You may feel shattered
at the end of your shift, but you'll have
done something seriously worthwhile.

There are plenty of vacancies
With the economy shrinking and
redundancies widespread, job
opportunities in many industries are
disappearing. That's not the case in
care. Nearly 8% of roles in adult social
care in England are vacant - that's
around 122,000 jobs at any given time.
So, if you're planning to move to care,
the jobs are definitely out there.

" Qualifications
aren't necessary
- it's far more
important to have
the right attitude
and attributes,
such as patience "

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Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21
