How to Start a Career in Social Care

Working within the social care sector can be emotionally rewarding and thanks to the sheer size of the field, there are many different positions available. This role has also been known to be challenging on occasion, so those who are committed to improving the lives of others will appreciate the milestones that the future holds. Let’s examine what you need to know in order to be prepared well in advance.

Basic Financial and Salary Information

The number of job titles will vary and your pay is often determined by your level of experience as well as your qualifications. There are still some general details to mention such as:

• The average yearly salary of a social care worker is £20,536 pounds.

• It may be possible to earn as much as £32,500 per year.

• Those who are registered with the NHS can earn slightly higher. Some starting salaries can be as high as £26,500 pounds.

• Most full-time positions will range from 37 to 40 hours per week. However, weekend and evening work will sometimes be required; resulting in overtime.

What are Your Main Responsibilities?

Social care is heavily involved with hands-on relationships and professionals that work together with the family members of their patients. This is a very wide field, so you may provide aid to the elderly, youthful offenders, those with serious illnesses or anyone suffering from mental health issues. The exact duties will depend upon your training as well as your areas of expertise. Other responsibilities include assessing the status of a patient, providing emergency intervention services, aiding with chemical dependency issues, and working together with other agencies in order to take the appropriate course of action.

Essential Skills and Talents

Above all, you will need to be a “people person” if you hope to enjoy success within the field of social care. Maintaining a positive outlook is just as important, as this position can be mentally challenging at times. Excellent communication skills, the ability to work as a part of a team and a willingness to travel to visit patients are some other qualities of a reliable worker. Overtime can sometimes be required and you should be ready to adopt a more flexible working schedule on occasion.

How Can You Become Qualified?

Most social care workers will be required to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before they are allowed to enter into active practice. This job is all about honing your skills over time, so it is a good idea to register for courses that specialise in Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Programmes such as the Assisted and Supported Year in in Employment (ASYE) will provide you with further training and all professionals are eligible to register with the College of Social Work to obtain additional certifications.

A career in social care will provide you with a rewarding experience and there is always room for upward mobility. Please refer back to this article for further advice.

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