Jobs and Careers Spring 2020 - 144

T

hanks to advances in
medicine and improved
information about health,
many of us are living
longer. According to the
most recent statistics, a
65-year-old man in the UK can now expect
to live another 18.6 years, while a woman
of 65 could anticipate another 21 years. The
number of people aged over 80 is projected
to rise by around 32% in the decade
from 2018 to 2028. This means Britain's
care industry is a huge growth sector.
Official figures estimate that the number
of paid social adult-care roles could
increase from the current 1.52 million to as
many as 2.34 million by 2025, a potential
rise of more than 50%. Recruiting and
retaining new employees in the sector
will become more important than ever.

Starting out
A good way to find out if working in care
is right for you is to volunteer - this will
also give you valuable experience when
it comes to applying for jobs. Get in
touch with local care centres and offer
your services. Personal experience of

"A career in care is the most
rewarding thing anyone can do"
Anne Theron
is a carer for
Consultus Care
"I'm 75 and in my 19th year
at Consultus Care - I think
retirement is a long time
off for me! I've always had
a passion for the elderly,
and helping someone to
remain in their own home
is really important to me.
"As a carer with
Consultus you live in the
home of a client on a twoweek assignment, but if
the client would like you to
stay and you agree it could
be extended indefinitely.
You are available from
7am to 11pm, and if the
client needs help during
the night you can charge

them extra for that,
although I never do.
"When I had my initial
interview with Consultus
I had no experience of
caring, but they liked
my passion and it just
took off for me - I loved
the job from my very
first assignment. I have
learned on the job, but for
the past few years new
carers have completed
a five-day induction
course at one of the
largest carer training
centres in the country.
"We do everything
from cooking to cleaning
and shopping and taking
clients to appointments.
We also take clients out
- I think while there's

caring for a relative can also demonstrate
experience and commitment.
Your first position is likely to be as
a care worker, or healthcare assistant,
providing emotional and practical support.
If you're making home visits, your duties
will vary according to the client.

Training on the job

a life outside go for it,
and if you can't walk a
wheelchair is wonderful.
"If you're thinking
about a career in care, you
won't regret it. I honestly
believe it's the most
rewarding thing anyone
can do - and you will
never be without work!'

You don't need any specific qualifications
to work in care, but they will help you
to progress. You can usually train while
working, taking Regulated Qualifications
Framework exams in health and social care.
Apprenticeships are also available. These
enable you to work and learn alongside
experienced staff, gaining the skills and
knowledge you need to be a competent
and confident worker while also earning.
Some care providers run apprenticeships
that lead to jobs within that company.

Find out more
* Care Quality Commission cqc.org.uk
* Care UK careers.careuk.com
* Skills for Care skillsforcare.org.uk

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27/05/2020 16:57
http://cqc.org.uk http://careers.careuk.com http://skillsforcare.org.uk
Jobs and Careers Spring 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Spring 2020
