Few jobs offer the satisfaction that you have spent your day making a real difference to somebody’s life. Supporting older people or young adults with often complex needs, to live more independently, is at the heart of what social care is all about. And there are a multitude of ways in which that often life-changing practical and personal support is given. For instance, you may choose to be an advocacy worker, helping make sure somebody’s voice is heard, or you could be responsible for the daily activities at a residential home.
With 1.45 million people employed in the sector – a number expected to rocket 31% by 2030 – and about 90,000 job vacancies available every day, it’s a career path that will continue to bring unrivalled opportunities. Sharon Allen, chief executive officer of Skills for Care, the body responsible for workforce development in social care, says: “It’s the reward that you get in the job of knowing that you are helping people live a fulfilled life that sets social care apart. It’s relationship-based care and the rewards are for everybody – we aren’t afraid to talk about love.”
Creating a skilled workforce to deliver the best care is crucial to the sector’s success. And for the past 15 years, the annual Skills for Care Accolades have recognised those organisations that have achieved excellence in workforce development.
One employer heralded at this year’s awards was Care Management Group (CMG), which won the best employer support for registered managers’ category. CMG – which provides more than 160 services in England and Wales, supporting people with complex needs – stood out, according to the judges, because of its support for registered managers and how that, in turn, had changed outcomes for managers and the people they support. It was praised for its innovation and creative thinking and for encouraging diversity.
Two years after joining CMG, Daniel Ismail, 26, hasn’t looked back. He was initially hired as a support worker, helping people with autism and learning disabilities live more independently, and thought it would be a stop-gap while he decided what career to follow. With a sports science degree and a master’s in strength and conditioning, a job in the fitness industry seemed the obvious choice. But now, Ismail is a registered manager responsible for a home with seven residents and a team of 16 staff.
He says: “I had no experience in social care. But CMG has mentored, coached and trained me. I’ve had training in conflict management, for example, as well as communications, and I now have a level 5 qualification in social care, which CMG paid for.”
Sarah Evans is CMG’s head of HR and learning and development. She says winning a Skills for Care Accolade, often dubbed “the Oscars of adult social care”, showed it is “excelling in this area”, adding: “Sometimes social care receives a lot of bad publicity, but the accolades celebrate success in the sector.”
CMG invests in its registered managers because they have a pivotal role in the organisation, she says: “We have tried to ‘bottle’ what makes an outstanding manager – we have tried to unpick the behaviours and then replicate that across the organisation.”
Evans says investing in its workforce pays dividends in boosting staff recruitment and retention: “Our job is to get that message out there that we want people to think of CMG as a career and not just a job – we want to develop people and have an input into their careers.”
CMG’s commitment to its staff has paid off, as Ismail has no plans to leave. “I came into social care looking for a job as a means to an end – something I could do to pay the rent while I decided what to do with my life,” he says. “I was looking for a job I wanted to give everything to and found CMG, which wanted to put everything into developing me. I don’t think there are many jobs where you make a small contribution to somebody’s life but get such a massive return. And I see that every day.”
Accolade applications and career advice
Social care organisations can find out more about developing their workforce, and apply for Skills for Care’s 2019 Accolades at skillsforcare.org.uk. Those looking for a social care career can visit skillsforcare.org.uk/thinkcarecareers for more information
