Are you considering taking on a new challenge for 2020? If you’re looking for a rewarding new career, you may want to consider whether the care industry would be an appropriate fit for you.
Demand for talented care workers is rising year on year and we think there’s never been a better time to consider this as a professional option. There are some fantastic benefits to working in health and social care, both in terms of the rewarding nature of the role day-to-day and in terms of how the role could support the progression of your career long-term.
Would you like to know more about some of the reasons to consider becoming a support worker in a care home environment? Here are ten reasons to answer the question: “Why work in a care home?”
1. No two days will be the same
Working in care is likely to be an excellent choice for you if you don’t like your days to be boring! The great thing about working in care homes is that you’re never sure exactly what’s going to happen from one hour to the next.
You and your colleagues will work together to create a fun and enjoyable environment for the older people in your care. What exactly this means is likely to depend on the particular interests of residents and their family members, so you’ll be invited to explore a wide range of varied activities.
The care needs of residents are also likely to change from day-to-day, so this is an ideal working choice if you can react and adapt quickly to whatever is going on around you.
2. It’s an incredibly sociable job
If you love to chat and socialise, why not choose a role that allows you to do that all day? The role of a care assistant is an incredibly people-focused job; not only will you be responsible for the physical care of residents, you’ll also be heavily involved in getting to know them and supporting their emotional and social requirements.
In addition to the older people in your care, you’ll also be involved in liaising with the family members and visitors of residents. These individuals may find it difficult to adjust to their loved ones being in a care home, so sensitivity will be required.
Ultimately, there are few jobs where you can enjoy a conversation over a cup of tea and get paid for it!
3. It’s flexible work and very family-friendly
Many of the people who gravitate towards care work do so partly in order to be able to adjust around their own family responsibilities. Care home workers are able to work very flexibly in order to work around caring for their own children.
There are part time roles available, or alternatively many colleagues will decide to do compressed hours, which means you can choose to work full-time hours over fewer days. Many care home residents will require support twenty-four hours a day, so there’s plenty of opportunity to work hours that suit you and your life. You could even choose to compress your full thirty-six hours over three days, which would leave you to enjoy a four day weekend.
Another benefit of care work is that many of the healthcare knowledge and training you’ll be given on the job will enrich the support you’re able to provide for your own family.
4. The benefits are enviable
You may not be aware of the benefits that come with a career as a care assistant. This isn’t ‘just a job’ anymore; you’ll receive holiday pay, a pension and ongoing training. We also give all our members of staff paid breaks and pay for meals eaten on duty.
We think you’ll be very pleasantly surprised to find that the benefits of a support worker role compare very favourably to other careers.
5. There are key opportunities for career progression
On the subject of care work not being ‘just a job’ anymore, we also want to make clear that there are brilliant opportunities for career progression.
The on-the-role training and qualifications you’ll receive – as well as the many transferable skills you’ll pick up – will set you in fantastic stead for progressing within the industry.
6. You can work towards degree-level qualifications on the job
One of the best things about working in the care industry is that many of your skills and personal values will be celebrated. Often, these are the same skills – such as kindness, patience, personal warmth, sensitivity and friendliness – that were not particularly valued when you were in education yourself.
It’s perfectly possible to enter a role in the care industry with no qualifications at all, though that doesn’t mean you won’t leave with any! During your time in the role, you’ll have the opportunity to work towards degree-level qualifications, all while just doing your job.
7. Caring for others is incredibly rewarding
There are few things more fundamentally rewarding than caring for other people. Whether this is helping to empower an older person to enjoy their day, supporting them with short or long term health needs, or even smoothing the way for someone as they reach the end of their life – caring for others is a huge privilege.
At the end of each shift, you’ll be able to head home with the knowledge that you’ve made a real difference to the quality of life of residents. The care you provide to elderly people on a daily basis will be valued, appreciated and vital to sustaining their quality of life.
8. You’ll be working with really interesting individuals
When you work in a care home, you’ll have the opportunity to really get to know the people in your care. Though these individuals will be approaching the end of their lives and will likely have medical needs, they are fascinating people with a wonderful amount to offer.
You’ll often be lucky enough to be told really interesting stories about years gone by and to perhaps get a glimpse of many different perspectives on life.
9. Opportunities to be involved in the arts and singing
Working in a care home isn’t just about managing the health and safety requirements of residents; significant parts of the job are also concerned with managing expectations for activities and entertainment.
Many elderly care home residents like to engage in regular creative activities. If you have a particular flair in this area, you’ll probably find it fulfilling to get involved in putting together and leading some of these regular activities. This can be a great way to bring your passion for your hobbies into your daily work.
10. We recruit based on values, not qualifications
We believe that the care industry is one of the only remaining places where recruitment is truly based on personality and values rather than the strength of your CV.
The most important thing for us is that adults care deeply about the wellbeing of other people, and we’re therefore always on the lookout for individuals who are caring, kind, friendly, understanding, sensitive and approachable. It’s also particularly important for you to be able to bring an element of fun to the role, in addition to being able to work effectively within a team.
Do you think you have the personal attributes to make an outstanding care worker? If so, we’d love to hear from you; why not get in touch right away to discuss more about care work and what makes the Fulford Nursing Home an incredibly rewarding workplace?