In June, we launched the #AllLeaversAllLevels campaign across all our social media pages, focusing on different career pathways into care. But what did this involve?

This involved speaking to members of our team about their path and transition into care work, showcasing the diverse career pathways of developing a rewarding career within in social care. By sharing personal stories and experiences, we highlighted that individuals at all levels of experience can begin a fulfilling career in care with our support.

We focused on the following 4 groups of pathways into caregiving:

1. Not in Education or Employment – focusing on young adults who have decided not to pursue further education and have chose to start a career in care instead.
2. College & University – students who are currently balancing their studies in University or college, whilst working alongside with ourselves as a caregiver.
3. Career change – individuals who have previously worked in a different role, and chose to change careers to social care instead.
4. Retired – individuals who have either reached retirement age and continued to work with ourselves, or have opted to return to work as a caregiver after retirement.

We asked our team in each group the following questions, and here is what they had to say!

Not in Education or Employment

Anna

What inspired you to start a career in care?

I always wanted a career where I felt I was helping people, but I didn’t know what. I had previously worked in a homeless hostel and in mental health which I enjoyed but didn’t see as my long-term career. I wanted to continue to work somewhere where I felt I was making a difference. Having previous knowledge of the social care sector, including training requirements has helped me in my career at HCC.

How have Homecarers supported you in your care career?

I’ve had a lot of people around me in HCC to learn from. I completed a level 3 recruitment course in my first year and I am also currently completing my CIPD L5 in People Management. I feel supported by my manager and colleagues, who I have learnt a lot from. HCC have also encouraged and supported me to think about my long-term career goals.

Alissa

What inspired you to start a career in care?

was inspired to start a career in the care sector by my mum and nan as they both work within care, and seeing how rewarding it is for them, I wanted to be apart. Transferrable skills that have helped me at Homecarers is when I went to college and did Health and Social care. I am also a very kind and caring person.

How have Homecarers supported you in your care career?

Homecarers have supported me as I have many people in the work place who I am able to learn from. They have also enabled me to be a course where I am learning lots of new things.

College & University

Maisie

What inspired you to start a career in care?

My inspiration to start a career in care definitely stemmed from my Psychology degree. I feel as if there’s a bit of a misconception that hospital positions are the only way to gain clinical experience in a medical setting, whereas in reality there are many different routes.

My involvement in home care has allowed me to apply my knowledge from my degree to my role, and in turn has strengthened my understanding of what I study through first hand experience. The role of a carer in particular appealed to me as more innate characteristics such as patience and kindness are appreciated by both employers and care receivers. I can honestly say that I feel proud every day that I go to work as l know I’m making a lot of peoples lives easier with a combination of both my drive and my ability to be my authentic self.

How have Homecarers supported you in your care career?

When I initially applied for the job, given my age and my self perceived ability I was extremely nervous. Homecarers provided me with training which gave me a clearer picture of my role and enabled me with the correct skills to pursue my new position. The onboarding process also involved a shadowing period which I found to be very beneficial as this is a ‘hands on’ job where theory can only take you a portion of the way.

Since becoming qualified, I’ve found an immense amount of support from our company, in particular my manager, and I have also found my role to be quite flexible. It feels good to be able to work in a role that is setting me up for my career, whilst receiving that extra support with supervisors and managers being empathetic to the fact that I’m still in education.

Shishir

What inspired you to start a career in care?

Caring for people and helping them with their needs has always been my passion and profession – after migrating to the UK, I wanted to be a part of the health care system, and in my understanding, carers are one of the most fundamental pillars of health care. That inspired me to start my career in care.

How have Homecarers supported you in your care career?

Homecarers has changed my view regarding the care system and care with dignity. They also helped me in improving my technical and communication skills.

Career Change

Sheila

What inspired you to start a career in care?

My Daughter talked me into starting in extra care – I have been in the pub trade for over 20yrs as a barmaid then licensee running my own pub for 10yrs. After I gave this up, I then began working in retail, but care was something different and something I never thought I could do. When I first started, I struggled slightly with the personal care, but I soon got into it and realised how rewarding it was to put a smile on someone’s face by just being there and supporting them to live independently as possible.

I worked as a carer for around 14 months before being asked to be senior, meaning I had to do office work and see what goes on behind the scenes. This involved policies, procedures, care plans, medication, audits etc – again I thought “oh no, what am I doing?” I then completed my level 3 in adult social care, before COVID hit 12 months later, which was a difficult time.

I was then offered a deputy managers job, meaning I had to relocate to Chester for the same company. When I arrived the scheme was understaffed, with paperwork needing updating due to COVID and being understaffed – this was a challenge, but I managed it. I then supported the registered manager across four ECH schemes.

As time went on, I was offered the Registered Manager role to cover maternity leave originally, but I am still here today as the Registered Manager of four schemes. I love my job but It can be testing at times; you must have the right people skills, you have to appreciate your staff and let them know, and you need to be able to support staff and service users no matter the situation. I think my past managerial skills and working with the public all my life helped me. I am a good team player, listener and can communicate with all people no matter their position in life.

How have Homecarers supported you in your care career?

Homecarers support me all the way. They are putting me through my level 5 in adult social care. We have regular meetings, and the upper management are quite approachable which helps a lot.

I started in care having never done care before and here I am 7 years in. I am a registered manager of four ECH schemes and I would not be here if it was not for the support from the management of the company.

I had no idea there are so many different ways to get into care work! How can I apply?

This month, we showcased just how many different paths you can take to start a rewarding career in domiciliary care.

If you are interested in a caregiving role with Homecarers, you can visit our Careers page for more information, or visit our Indeed page to apply.