JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016 - 86

FOCUS :

CARE

Care options
Many Carers in the UK are informal -
either family and friends.
Formal care is usually split into two
options: either working for an
independent or NHS-funded care
provider to give home-based help, or
working in a care home that provides
specialised support for those who need it.
Home-working may include helping
elderly and/or disabled people to live
independently in their house, taking
people out for social events and providing
any informal carers with a break.
Working in a care home may include
shifts, providing care for the disabled or
the elderly in one particular home, often
alongside qualified Nurses.
Whichever avenue you choose to
take, there are good long-term career
prospects if you work hard and have
the right aptitude. The work is varied,
with no two days ever the same, and the
hours are usually flexible. There are
plenty of part-time positions available,
so you can fit caring in around your
family and other commitments.
So, whether you're a school leaver,
a graduate, or are looking for a change of
career, social care is a job unlike any other.
It doesn't discriminate on your age, how
many qualifications you have or haven't
got, or what your background is. All that
matters is that you have a kind, caring
nature, and have enough of that to share
with people who really need it.

Ageing matters
Looking after our older generation is a
boom industry that is set to continue to
expand thanks to an increasing ageing
population. The number of people aged
65 and over is projected to increase from
10.84 million in 2012 to 17.79 million by
2037. As part of this growth, the number
of over 85s is estimated to more than
double, from 1.44 million in 2012 to
3.64 million by 2037.*
The best Care Workers are those who
excel in listening and engaging with older
0 8 6 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S

SKILLS
NEEDED

* Empathy and the ability to relate to a
huge range of clients and professionals.
* Strong communication skills
- particularly listening skills.
* Self-motivation.
* The ability to write clear and
consistent notes.
* Be able and willing to learn about
company policies and guidelines, and
apply them to situations.
* An ability to react quickly and remain
calm and logical, even in a crisis.
* A non-judgemental, tolerant attitude
and approach.
* Kindness in spades - even if it
isn't returned.
* Patience, even in the face of adversity.

people, so that they understand their
needs better and can provide tailored
support. It's not an easy job, but it is
rewarding, although, unfortunately, many
Care Workers receive low levels of pay.
Providing care for older people is
usually in two forms: either at home as
an independent care provider, or working
in a care or nursing home.
Care homes for older people provide
personal care or nursing care. Care
homes providing personal care (also
known as residential homes) provide

living accommodation, which includes
a room (usually en-suite), meals and
help with personal care, such as washing,
dressing, taking medication and going
to the toilet. Staff will give care during
normal short illnesses, but do not
provide nursing care. In some homes, able
residents have greater independence and
take care of many of their own needs.
Care homes providing nursing care
(known as nursing homes) provide
all of the above, with the addition of
medical care from a qualified Nurse,
who is on-site 24 hours a day.
Some care homes offer specialist
support for those people with specific
health problems, such as dementia,
mental health problems or physical
disabilities. One care home might
provide a mix of different care types;
for example, there might be a certain
number of places for residents requiring
personal care, a certain number for
those people needing nursing care,
and others for those with dementia.
Care homes may be owned/run
by: private (commercial) businesses,
who may own one or a group of care
homes; non-profit organisations,
such as charities and housing
associations; and local authorities,
who mostly run residential homes
rather than nursing homes. A lot of
local authorities outsource care to
non-profit organisations, and only
about 10% of care home places are
provided directly by local authorities.

Getting started
Volunteering in your spare time will
clarify whether this is the career for you
and give you valuable work experience
that will help when you apply for a paid
job. Contact a local care home, or care
service provider and offer your services.
Personal experience caring for a
disabled or seriously ill family member
can also demonstrate your experience
and commitment to helping people.
Your first position is likely to be a
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