Our careers section has been created both for care career seekers and care job providers.
For people looking for a new job or thinking of starting a career in care work, the Caredirections site will provide a comprehensive introduction to an industry where employment prospects are very bright indeed.
As the percentage of ageing people in our population increases, so will the constant need for care workers, throughout the UK. Although many jobs are now available, Caredirections can give you sound advice about approaching potential employers.
For an employer, Caredirections provides the opportunity to advertise specific jobs in a very cost-effective manner.
Care work
Care work nowadays is a skilled and essential job and good care workers are highly valued by their employers and by the people they care for. Care is rightfully regarded as one of the most important jobs in our society.
Care work offers opportunities to work in care homes, or to work in the community, caring for people in their own homes. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options and your choice will probably depend on your own preferences and what is available in the area in which you live.
Some people prefer to work in a care home, where they are likely to be working in a team, with other colleagues around them. A disadvantage of this type of care working is the likelihood of being offered shift work and having to ‘fit in’ with other staff.
Working in the community may be more demanding and you would have to take more responsibility. Some people enjoy that sort of challenge and the special relationships they are able to build up with clients. These types of carers also value the flexibility to work at hours which suit their other commitments. Such employment is usually offered by home care organisations.
Home care organisations may also offer the opportunity to work on a live-in basis, either for regular short stays of a week or two, or for a longer period. There are some specialist organisations which offer this type of service, as well as the more general care agencies.
Care is provided for a large range of clients: older people; younger people with disabilities; children; people with mental health problems etc.. You may enjoy the variety of working with a range of different clients in the community, or you may prefer to concentrate on one group of people, as you would if working in a care home.
You do not need to have prior qualifications in order to apply for care work, but you do need to be responsible, reliable, sensitive and kind. You will need to be able to supply a minimum of two references, preferably with one at least from a previous employer. You must also be willing to learn new skills.
Care organisations are now required to provide training for their staff and you should be given induction training when you start work. You will also be offered the opportunity to gain a National Vocational Qualification – especially as regulation of the industry to be introduced in 2003 will require agencies to ensure that at least 50% of their workforce is qualified to NVQ level 2. Not only does care work offer genuine career opportunities in itself, it is also excellent experience for anyone who is thinking about going on to a career in nursing.
Older, more mature applicants for care positions will be particularly welcome – although there is certainly no bar to younger people. Home care agencies, especially, value the stability and experience that older people bring to their work. This is one profession where an older age would not be against you!
Care offers flexible working arrangements, to suit all types of people and situations. You might, for example, only want to do a few hours’ work a week, or go and stay with an elderly client on a live-in basis for two weeks every two months. Whatever contribution you are prepared to make, it will be valued and useful.
If you are interested in care work, we suggest you look at the listed organisations on this site, either Care Homes or Home Care Agencies. You may choose to apply to one which is near you, or you may prefer to look for a particular type of home or care organisation, and be prepared to travel further to find it. Local authorities' social services departments also provide home care services and may be interested in applications.
You should telephone first to make a general enquiry about the availability of work. The organisation may ask you to come along to meet them, or may prefer to send you an application form before inviting you to come for an interview.
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