Social care
Social care is about providing physical, emotional and social support to help people live their lives. For various reasons and at different stages in their lives, some people need support to develop and maintain their independence, dignity and control.
Social care provides a whole range of services to support adults and older people.
If you work in social care, you could support people in their own homes, in residential homes or in a number of other places such as day centres or supported housing.
Working in social care
Working in social care means supporting people with their assessed needs.
More than 1.5 million people currently work in the social care sector. Because of the increasing number of disabled younger adults living longer and the growing number of older people needing care, adult social care is growing and the sector needs another half a million jobs, and people to do them, by 2035.
You could help people in their own homes, in residential homes or in a number of other places such as day centres or supported housing.
Health and social care working together
Many staff now work in roles that cover both health and social care, and the values and qualities needed are very similar.
The Government has set out the need for the health and social care sectors to develop new integrated care models to promote health and wellbeing and provide care. In the future, this could mean your career crossing both sectors in new and exciting roles.
Several methods are in place across the country to develop and promote these new ways of working, such as:
providing key skills training for health staff so they can assess mental health wellbeing
training for physiotherapists so they can undertake dementia assessments
enhancing the competencies of care home staff so they can support clinical and non-clinical professionals
ways of encouraging closer working and learning between primary and community-based nursing teams.
Below are a few registered and non-registered roles within the care sector. Being registered means you have completed your training and are registered with the relevant regulatory body. For example a nurse would be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Regulated Professional Roles
Registered Nurses (RGN) – As a registered nurse working in social care you will be working with people and their families, carers and partners to promote health and prevent ill health.
Your nursing will be part of peoples lives and you will develop a professional relationship to ensure you meet their nursing needs. Read more here Registered Nurse (skillsforcare.org.uk)
Nursing Associate – As a registered nursing associate working in social care, you bridge the gap between the healthcare support workers and the registered nurse and will be working with people and their families, carers, and partners to promote health and prevent ill health - Nursing associates (skillsforcare.org.uk)
Social Worker - As a social worker, you'll work with people to find solutions to their problems. This may be helping to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse or supporting people to live independently. You’ll offer counselling and advocacy to individuals and families and intervene when vulnerable people need safeguarding.
Social workers work with clients, their families and others around them and with different client groups including:
- the elderly
- children with disabilities
- teenagers with mental health problems
- young offenders
- adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems or physical disabilities
- people with alcohol, drug or other substance misuse problems
- refugees and asylum seekers
- families at risk of breaking down
- children who need to live apart from their families
- foster carers and adopters
- children who are at risk of abuse or neglect
- carers
You may specialise in a particular client group. Their work can involve:
- visiting clients wherever they are (which could be at home or in, for example, a care home, hospital, hostel or prison.)
- assessing client's needs
- organising support
- making referrals to other services and agencies
- keeping detailed records
- attending meetings
You could support lots of people including older people, those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health conditions such as people with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and personality disorder. You’ll usually provide support for a limited period of time to help them adjust to changes in their lives such as illness, age related problems, disability or bereavement. - Social worker (skillsforcare.org.uk)
Unregulated Roles
Manager Roles – As a registered manager, you’ll be responsible for the level of care your organisation and employees provide. With on-the-job training and support, you’ll have lots of opportunities to progress, giving you a lifelong career.
You could work in various social care settings, including Care homes, Homecare agencies and Supported living accommodation. https://www.adultsocialcare.co.uk/social-care-job-roles/Registered-manager.aspx
Care Worker – Supporting people with all aspects of their day-to-day living, including social and physical activities, personal care, mobility and meal times. Care workers can work in care homes, people’s own homes or the community, and can support lots of different people including adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, dementia and other mental health conditions.
Home Care/Domiciliary Care Worker – Providing care and support to people in their own homes. This role is ideal for you if you have the ability to work on your own initiative and prioritise your workload, good listening and communication skills. Supporting people with social and physical activities as well as basics such as eating and drinking
Learning Disability Support Worker – As a Learning Disability Support Worker, you will assess the needs of the supported person to identify how you can best provide support. You will help them to enjoy hobbies and do activities that can help them develop greater independence. The type of support you provide will depend on the person’s abilities for activities such as washing and dressing, cooking or meal preparation
Activity coordinator – This is a role within care homes where you are responsible for planning, organising and sometimes facilitating meaningful activities suitable to the resident’s needs.