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Care Focus Somerset Ltd is a non-profit company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 05664850. Suite 4, The Courtyard, Higher, Comeytrowe Farm, Comeytrowe, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 1EQ.

Is Social Care

For me?

It doesn’t matter who you are or whether you’re young or old. The only essential requirement for all jobs in social care or social work is a genuine interest in working with people and a commitment to changing lives for the better.

 

If considering a career in social care, you may be feeling nervous about coping with the practical aspects of caring for another person, such as undertaking personal care.

 

Try our Reality Check Questionnaire to get a better idea of whether care is for you.

 

DOWNLOAD REALITY CHECK QUESTIONNAIRE

Social care offers some of the very best flexible careers – as far removed from the 9-5 daily grind as you could imagine. Full time, part time and relief/bank work are all available. For most jobs, you’ll be expected to work shifts which could include working at night, weekends and Bank Holidays. If you don’t want to be tied to set hours, then relief or bank work could be right for you.

 

Worried about low pay or career barriers? Opportunities for training and progression are now better than they’ve ever been. If you progress to become a manager of a residential home, you could earn well in excess of £35k pa.

 

Social care now offers a credible and professional career and is a viable alternative to social work or nursing.

For more information on social care careers visit the Social Care Careers website.

 

visit social care careers website

OK, so you’re interested in care but not sure where you need to start or where you want to end up? A great place to start is www.careambassadors.info

 

If you're still at school or college, try contacting your Careers Advisor or Connexions Advisor. Or why not ask your school to host a visit from one of our Care Ambassadors? Care Ambassadors are people who already work in care, and who are so passionate about this choice of career that they want to tell you all about it! They'll tell you what it's really like and what you can expect from a career in care.

 

Care Ambassadors are qualified and experienced care workers who promote the image of social care and act as role models to inspire and encourage people of all ages to consider careers in the sector.

 

VISIT CARE CAREERS SOUTHWEST FOR MORE INFO

You need no formal qualifications to apply for a job in social care. During your first six months, you'll undertake Induction Training to provide the basic knowledge and skills to do your job effectively.

 

From here, you’ll be able to take an NVQ in Health & Social Care. There are different levels of NVQ’s to take as you progress in your career. There are also many short courses available to increase your skills.

 

To move into management, you’ll need to hold or be working towards at least NVQ Level IV or an equivalent level qualification.

 

For more information on NVQ's and the National Occupational Standards in Health and Social Care visit: www.skillsforcare.org.uk

 

Connexions Direct

Are you 13 -19? If so, Connexions Direct can offer you all the information and advice you need to make the decisions and choices in your life. www.connexions-direct.com

 

Society and Health Development Diploma

 

The Society, Health and Development diploma is an exciting and innovative new qualification for 14-19 year olds in England. The Diploma in SHD lets students develop a sound knowledge base combined with the personal, learning and thinking skills that are transferable to employment and higher education. http:// shd.skillsforhealth.org.uk

 

Apprenticeships in Care

There are many different opportunities for young people to have a career in both health and social care via an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are available between the ages of 16 and 25 (no age restriction in Wales).
link to PDF file

 

visit skills for health website for apprenticeship information

Your role is to provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment. But it’s not all about tea and sympathy!

 

Whilst many older people in residential or nursing care may be heavily dependent, they deserve the same quality of life opportunities as you do. As well as providing personal care such as feeding, washing and dressing, your role could include helping to organise and participate in recreational activities or arranging days out.

 

If you work in home care, you'll be able to give someone dignity, independence and more choice over how they live their lives. On a practical level, your role might include helping with dressing or bathing. But it’s much more than that. The regular contact that home carers provide matters so much to people who may live alone or have little social contact. Home carers liaise with other professionals, neighbours, friends and family to ensure the best possible outcomes for people.

 

Day care for older people provides opportunities for much valued social contact with other people, as well as perhaps a midday meal, group activities and organised outings. Your role is to facilitate these opportunities.

 

VISIT OUR RESOURCES AND LINKS SECTION FOR MORE INFORMATION

Life is for living! This is all about creating an environment where people have dignity, maximum choice over their own lives, and have every opportunity to fulfil their potential and achieve their goals. For some, this could mean getting a proper paid job, for others it could mean participating in a favourite sport.

 

If you work in day services, your role could involve enabling people to play a more active role in the community, such as learning skills to prepare for a job.

 

visit social care careers website

Children and young people in residential care often have very complex and diverse needs. Some may have a severe physical disability; for others it may no longer be possible or appropriate to live with their own family. Some children stay for a few nights, others may stay for many years. Your role could include planning recreational activities, supervising routines such as mealtimes and helping maintain links with families.

 

You may also help to manage moves to foster care or adoption, assist young people who are experiencing problems at school, or provide support as they move towards adulthood and independence.

 

If you're interested in working with pre-school children, perhaps as a childminder or in a nursery, visit the National Childminder Association or Somerset County Council websites.

 

CWDC (Children's Workforce Development Council)

 

CWDC offers advice to employers about the qualifications and training required for certain job roles within the children’s workforce, guidance for induction training and support information for implementing new standards. Visit the Children's Workforce Development Council website.

 

Ofsted

 

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) will inspect and regulate care for children and young people, and inspect education and training for learners of all ages.

 

visit OFSTED website

There are literally hundreds of social care employers all across Somerset offering jobs working with people of all ages and with all sorts of needs.

 

We hope to develop a jobs listing in the future. In the meantime, refer to local papers, Job Centres and local shops for advertisements for care positions in your area.

 

The sector is always looking for new recruits, so if you don’t see anything advertised, try contacting an employer directly. For details of all registered care providers in your postcode area visit www.cqc.org.uk

 

Job Centre Plus

 

Jobcentre Plus is a part of the Department for Work and Pensions. Their aim is to help more people into paid work, help employers fill their vacancies, and give people of working age the help and support they are entitled to if they cannot work. www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

 

Jobs SW

 

A jobs website advertising vacancies in the South West of England. www.jobssw.co.uk.

 

search for social care jobs on google

Are you aged between 16-24 and interested in working in residential or day care? If so, how about an Apprenticeship in a Care Assistant role?

 

You need to have a good standard of education ideally with GCSE's at C/D and above or equivalent.

 

On average, an Apprenticeship takes 12-18 months. Once you've achieved your NVQ Level 2, it may be possible to progress to NVQ Level 3, where your job role will be more of a supervisory nature.

 

You'll be able to gain valuable on-the-job learning experience, backed up by formal training through day release.

 

The largest provider of Health and Social Care Apprenticeships in Somerset is Somerset County Training. They can help you find an employer where you can do your Apprenticeship.

 

For details of other Health and Social training providers in Somerset download our provider matrix.

 

DOWNLOAD CARE FOCUS SOMERSET TRAINING PROVIDER MATRIX

Somerset Partnership Somerset Partnership

 

NHS Foundation Trust provides care for people in Somerset who experience mental health difficulties. Their aim is to provide the best possible service to individuals, which encourages independence and recovery of those with mental health problems, including people with learning disabilities. www.sompar.nhs.uk

 

Voluntary Services

 

Volunteering is an excellent way of building skills and confidence. It gives you a great opportunity to meet new people and deal with new situations. These skills help your career and look great on your CV.

 

visit connextions somerset voluntary information website