To avoid any confusion, we use terms like Support Worker, Care Assistant and Healthcare Assistant interchangeably to reflect a member of the care team taking care of older people within the community.
A home care career is rewarding and fulfilling, little prior experience and qualifications are required meaning the job is accessible to many. However, that is not to say the job does not come with its challenges. Here at Beloved, we have full-time & part-time adult community care jobs available to those in the local community who wish to make a difference and help our elderly clients live independently. Our award-winning training has made it possible for individuals to transition from other industries into social care.
A few weeks back we asked one of our members of staff, Karen, a few questions about her recent transition from retail into the care sector.
Did you have any personal experiences of adult social care before applying to work?
No. Before joining Beloved I had not experienced any sort of care work. I had worked in Retail and Hospitality for most of my career.
What was the motivation behind applying for the role of a Healthcare Assistant?
After being made redundant for the second time in eighteen months I had concluded that my career in retail wasn’t as stable as I would have liked. I wanted to find something different that I could be passionate about doing, something that was rewarding and meaningful. I spoke to friends and family about ideas, it was clear that because of my character and the fact that I am a ‘people’ person, I still wanted to provide a service for people but perhaps on more of an emotional and caring level rather than transactional from being in retail. I felt inspired by all the NHS workers and caring staff because of the current Covid pandemic. I wanted to play some sort of part to help others.
Was there anything particular about Beloved Homecare that caught your attention when looking at potential companies?
When looking for adult social care jobs Beloved stood out to me the most. The ethos and values projected by the management team were excellent, the reviews from both clients and employees spoke volumes about the respect and professionalism of the company. In addition to the reputation of the company, the competitive pay package, benefits, and training reflected how much an employee is valued in the company; it is refreshing to see. I believe if you look after your team, they will, in turn, look after your clients and be happier in their working environment. As well, Beloved’s ‘Outstanding’ Care Quality Commission inspection report made the decision a no brainer for me
How did you feel about starting the role with little experience and during a pandemic?
I did not feel nervous at all about starting the role during the pandemic, in fact, I felt quite eager to get started and excited for the challenge and how I could make a difference in helping people. Although I had no experience, I was given a great training induction and met some lovely colleagues who have all helped and supported me enormously to settle in, this makes such a difference I think to be able to be part of a team that all have the same common goal, agenda, and passion to provide the best for their clients.
What does an average day look like for you through the day in the community?
My average day consists of completing various day to day tasks relating to the individual client’s needs. From personal care, showering and dressing, to meal preparation, administering medication and social and companionship interaction. We have the PASS System which is a Care Management application that holds all the client’s information and outcomes. The carers can access the information, live, so we always have access to the latest information on the client.
What does working in social care offer you that perhaps retail does not?
More job satisfaction. This career path is definitely more rewarding. You can truly make a difference in someone’s life by making sure they feel safe and secure in their own home. Having the time to speak with clients and build relationships is important too. I feel I’m able to develop a rapport with the clients I regularly see.
What is the toughest part of the job?
I have to remind myself sometimes that if a client is frustrated or agitated, it is not normally because of me or what I’ve done. More often, it is down to the person’s condition or illness. You must learn to not take this personally, although that can be easier said than done. It is easy to become attached to a person, I think that is because of the close, but professional, relationships we build with clients. However, we receive training on professional boundaries and encouraged to speak with the management team if we are having any issues.
What skills & qualities, that you have developed over the years, are you able to use in an adult social care career?
I have gained many skills in retail and hospitality; these I believe are very transferrable to social care. You have to be a ‘people’ person. Attributes I believe I have and are needed to do this job include:
- Listening Skills
- Empathy
- Patience
- Taking Responsibility
- Organisational & Time Management Skills
- Teamwork
- Sensitivity & Confidence
What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining the social care workforce?
Do it! I waited too long to do this job. With the right company, support, and training in place, you can make a real difference to the care and treatment of, not only the clients, but the whole family too. It is an extremely rewarding job and although sometimes it can be emotional, there is nothing like coming home after a shift knowing you have helped that individual person feel, safe, comfortable, and happy.
Any comments on working through COVID?
I have been incredibly lucky to have been able to work through the Covid pandemic, whilst feeling like I have contributed in some small way to helping my local community. I have never once felt unsafe doing my job as I’ve always had the correct PPE at my disposal to keep me and the clients safe, this continues to be the case with strict guidelines in place for everyone’s safety.
Any other comments you would like to add?
This year has been exceptionally hard for a lot of people due to Covid. Although I lost my job, I have been lucky to have been able to change my career to social care. I have been able to make a small difference and help other people in need. The excellent support and training I have received has been exceptional to my transition and progress into this role. Thankfully, if any silver lining should come out of this pandemic, it is an emerging recognition and appreciation of all Health & Social Care workers that play a vital role in society. I am lucky to work for Beloved, they appreciate and validate staff and their hard work. I hope other companies follow suit!
If you’re interested in a career in adult social care, we are currently recruiting for Healthcare Assistants to work in the community. Should you have any questions or wish to speak with a member of our office team, please do not hesitate to give us a call – 0161 711 0750.