Are you fitter than a Love Island castaway and more caring than Mary Poppins? Perfect! Because the world of social care needs you.
Estimates indicate 77% of care home services currently have staff vacancies and, in some areas, almost 90% of care at home and housing support services are actively recruiting.
Many roles in this sector, however, are known for being physically and mentally demanding, particularly when dealing with the elderly and infirm . . . which is where you come in.
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On the whole, young people are more capable of meeting the physical demands of the job and you’re more resilient too. So, if you’re up to the challenge, you’ll become your clients’ arms, legs, eyes and ears – enabling them to perform tasks we often take for granted and offering a more free and active life.
Younger recruits are also more likely to be able to learn a new skill with minimal training.
Moreover, positions in a care home or help at home setting are accessible to those who don’t possess further education qualifications, such as a university degree – meaning many roles are ideal for school leavers and young people.
Help is at hand, too. There are many new initiatives across the UK to attract more young people into the industry.
One such scheme is being run by Action for Children and Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership (GHCSCP), with the aim of tackling the skills shortage by providing training for young people.
The intensive six-week courses for candidates equip you with the necessary skills and qualifications to work as home carers and, crucially, enter the jobs market almost immediately.
Many social services and care roles to be found on s1jobs also provide the basis for further study, so working in social care can be a great way to enjoy learning while earning.
This is ideal for young people who want to build up enough practical experience in the field but also consolidate their skills and knowledge for the future by pursuing qualifications in more specialised areas.
Remember, too, care homes typically look after older or infirm people, who don’t necessarily have the opportunity to interact with young people.
So, with your fresh ideas, modern approaches and natural dynamism, young people are crucial to keeping the social care setting interactive and progressive by providing much-needed spark and vitality.
Social care generally tends to have a higher than average staff turnover, with variable shift work often responsible for putting off candidates who have other commitments, such as looking after children. Young people are less likely to have scheduling conflicts and so are well placed to be able to meet the shift-pattern demand of the roles. It can even work in your favour by opening time for out-of-work activities and socialising.
Above all, young candidates from all walks of life have the potential to bring diversity to the sector. You may even bring relevant life experience too. The Glasgow scheme, for example, has trained a group of young people with adverse childhood backgrounds to help establish a workforce that’s much more representative of the people who rely on social care services.
Whether you’re young, older or somewhere in between, roles in social care are for everyone. So, if you’re looking for a new and challenging career, let s1jobs be your guide to the latest vacancies in the social care sector.