How do I begin my career in Adult Social Care?

Apply for a job

Receive training once you start a new role

Most jobs in care do not require any sector qualifications for you to get a job. Most companies hiring Care Assistants and Support Workers recruit based on your values, behaviours, and attitude. A care company will be focused on providing the highest quality care and support and so will hire individuals who also believe that this is very important. Each company will have specific values that will link to this.

When we speak to you as a job applicant, we are looking to find out about your personality and understand the soft skills you may have. This is to ensure you can effectively support individuals who need care and be empathetic and understanding in the way you communicate and help clients. We are also looking for individuals who are willing to learn new skills and gain relevant qualifications which will help you to provide the best care and support possible. Your new employer will support you and ensure that you receive all the training you need to do your job well and feel confident in the care you deliver. The Care Certificate covers mandatory training, which includes:

• Understand Your Role
• Your Personal Development
• Duty of Care
• Equality and Diversity
• Work in a Person-Centred Way
• Communication
• Privacy and Dignity
• Fluids and Nutrition

• Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disabilities
• Safeguarding Adults
• Safeguarding Children
• Basic Life Support
• Health and Safety
• Handling Information
• Infection Prevention and Control

Apprenticeships

Earn as you learn!

Apprenticeships are available to anyone of any age. You may have finished school and be looking for an opportunity to earn money while learning new skills and gaining qualifications. Or maybe you are looking for a change in your career. This is exactly what an apprentice does.

You will be hired to work at least 30 hours per week, and 20% of your working time will be spent studying. You will have a mentor within the workplace to support you with your studies and an external tutor who will be checking your progress.

The most common apprenticeships we recruit for is the Level 2 or Level 3 Adult Care Worker. Here is a full list of apprenticeships that are available:

• Adult Care Worker (level 2)
• Lead Adult Care Worker (level 3)
• The Lead Practitioner in Adult Care (level 4)
• Leader in Adult Care (level 5)
• Nursing Associate (level 5)

• Social Work (level 6)
• Occupational Therapist (level 6)
• Physiotherapist (level 6)
• Registered Nurse (level 6)

To find out more about being an apprentice, click here to read Emily’s story.

Work Experience

Get valuable experience alongside study!

If you are studying at school, sixth form, college, or university you could complete work experience alongside your current course. Not only will this support you with your studies, but it will also provide you with some skills that could lead to paid work.

If you are unsure of what career path you want to take, work experience is a perfect way of helping you to figure this out. We can help to arrange work experience in a range of settings such as care homes, nursing homes, private hospitals, domiciliary home care and supported living settings, supporting individuals with various needs.

From this, you will be able to make informed future career choices and could even land yourself a job at the end of your work placement!

Volunteer

Make a different within your local community!

Volunteers are always welcome in care settings to provide extra support engaging with clients. In all care settings volunteers may run activities sessions or support with activities sessions such as arts and crafts, music therapy, exercise, or games.

Volunteers could also help with mealtimes, at events, or one to one befriending with clients. This will give you an insight as to whether adult social care is the right career path for you.

Whichever route you choose, you can register interest today to see what opportunities are currently available.

Click here to register interest to receive a call from one of the Herts Good Care team (www.hertsgoodcare.com)