a great route into a caring profession

Transcription

1 apprenticeships in social care a great route into a caring profession a guide for potential apprentices, aimed at those new to social care

2 apprenticeships in social care would you like to help others whilst helping yourself? a guide for potential apprentices A career in social care can be extremely rewarding in a recent survey 96% of care workers said they felt their work really makes a difference. Maybe you d like to do a job that gives this level of satisfaction, and that would allow you to help improve others lives, but feel that you don t have the right experience or qualifications to show to an employer right now. If this sounds familiar, then an apprenticeship in the social care sector might just be the way forward for you.

3 a Skills for Care guide for potential apprentices

4 apprenticeships in social care did you know...? The vast majority of apprentices who complete successfully are offered positions as full members of staff at the end of their apprenticeship by their employer. Most apprenticeships last around twelve months and are primarily work-based, developing practical skills, with an-offthe-job element which develops knowledge. Apprenticeships in social care are often flexible with regards to the number of hours you work every week as well as to the time of the day you work. Care isn t 9-5! Apprentices earn and learn, gaining new skills and a number of sector-recognised qualifications whilst being Apprenticeships are not just for young people, they re open to everyone from 16 upwards.

5 a Skills for Care guide for potential apprentices There are more than 25 types of apprenticeships in the social care sector. As well as the care-centred roles, there are apprenticeships ranging from business administration to chef training. Once your apprenticeship is complete, you ll have experience to offer as well as formal vocational qualifications and transferable skills, so your career prospects will be much better and if you want to, you can always sign up for an advanced apprenticeship to further improve them in the future. paid. Social care is a growing sector, and one that offers increasing opportunities for progression; many apprentices go on to take up management and leadership roles. For more information about social care job roles visit

6 apprenticeships in social care how to become an apprentice

7 a Skills for Care guide for potential apprentices The good news is that there s loads of help out there if you decide you d like to know more about becoming a social care apprentice. The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has a national database of apprenticeship vacancies that you can browse online and the regional Apprentice Training Agencies (ATAs) have similar portals for local vacancies. These organisations can help and guide you through the process of finding an employer that will offer you the right opportunity within the sector. Many employers will use the apprenticeship as a way of qualifying their existing and newly recruited workers. So you can get a job in social care and then do an apprenticeship as a way to become trained and competent. It s easier than you think and there are opportunities for everyone, regardless of your previous experience.

8 case study The Manor House Chatburn, Lancashire If I d just done my NVQ at college, I wouldn t have been able to do the work as well as I do it now it was so much better for me to learn on the job. Danielle Parker aged 17 Health & Social Care Assistant

9 a Skills for Care guide for potential apprentices While Danielle was in her final year at high school, she was sure she wanted to work with older people; she was equally sure she didn t want to go on to further education. But it was only when she heard about apprenticeships that she realised what her next step would actually be. After successfully applying for an apprenticeship at the Manor House in Chatburn, a private care home for older people, Danielle began her placement shortly afterwards. Just under one year after starting her apprenticeship, Danielle was delighted to be offered a permanent full-time position at Manor House. Danielle is certain she made the right decision in becoming an apprentice. She s now preparing for further study and is determined to continue and progress in this field. She s proud of her achievements, and that she has such a satisfying job. Danielle worked closely with a senior member of staff at all times, firstly observing and then undertaking the work under supervision. She worked four days a week at the home, attending college on Tuesdays, to study for her level 2 NVQ in health and social care. The new experiences she had encountered at Manor House were invaluable, bringing practical knowledge to the theory she was learning on the course. Danielle Parker Health and Social Care Assistant (former apprentice)

10 case study Gateshead Council I would recommend the apprenticeship programme to anyone interested in health and social care, as it can be tough to get into the sector without the right experience or qualifications. Joseph McGowan aged 23 Adult Social Care Apprentice

11 a Skills for Care guide for potential apprentices Joe had previously worked in the call centre and retail sectors, but felt that he wanted a career that would make a real difference to people s lives. He applied for an apprenticeship online through the council s website and was shortlisted for the one-day assessment centre. Joe was subsequently offered an apprenticeship, and began his 18-month placement. Over that period, he spent four days a week in a variety of care placements and one day a per week at the council s workforce development training centre in Gateshead. He had a mentor assigned to him at every placement, and got additional support from the council s apprentice co-ordinator. As a result, Joe gained experience of adult mental health day centres, of service users with learning disabilities, of domiciliary community care and of respite care for service users with dementia. In the first twelve months Joe gained his apprenticeship in Health and Social Care, benefiting from a combination of on-the-job practical training and theory. And although Joe found certain aspects like personal care challenging, particularly being a male carer in a predominantly female environment, he feels that the support received at each placement has been invaluable. He is now progressing onto the Advanced Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care for the remaining six months, taking a placement that allows him to work with service users with learning disabilities. The same pattern of work and study still applies. Joe is already considering forthcoming vacancies in care, both within the council and the private sector.

12 apprenticeships in social care what social care apprentices say I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship programme to those who want to gain experience in care, whilst training and studying. It s a brilliant programme and the training is second to none. Ollie Rutherford, aged 19 Apprentice Oaklands Community Care Derby I would recommend the apprenticeship programme to anyone interested in health and social care, as it can be tough to get into the sector without the right experience or qualifications. Joseph McGowan, aged 23 Adult Social Care Apprentice Gateshead Council

13 a Skills for Care guide for potential apprentices When I look back at what I ve done and what I ve achieved, I don t know why more people don t take up apprenticeships. Hayley Farr, aged 24 Referrals Co-ordinator C&S Services Wolverhampton Hayley Farr Referrals Co-ordinator Joseph McGowan Apprentice Oliver Rutherford Apprentice

14 apprenticeships in social care what social care apprentices say I was surprised to find that apprenticeships weren t just for young people. At the age of forty, I have the experience and ambition to know where I want my career to go. The apprenticeship programme suits my lifelong learning needs. I don t think age matters, as long as the matter doesn t age! Arceli Villanueva, age 40 Senior Carer/Nutrition Champion Barchester Healthcare Wimbledon Arceli Villanueva Senior Carer/Nutrition Champion

15 a Skills for Care guide for potential apprentices It s been a life-changing experience a real opportunity to create a great career and learn something different. Mervyn Knights, aged 29 Head Chef/Head of Hospitality Barchester Healthcare Wimbledon Mervyn Knights Head Chef/Head of Hospitality

16 This document is part of Skills for Care's comprehensive range of resources that includes case studies and guides aimed at those potential apprentices and employers considering adult social care apprenticeships. Leaflets and posters are also available for teachers, career advisers, Year 9 pupils and school leavers. For more information about social care apprenticeships and to access further resources, please visit: or You can also see us online or get in touch via: YouTube Facebook Bebo Text icare to 60300* Skills for Care West Gate Grace Street Leeds LS1 2RP Telephone icare@skillsforcare.org.uk Skills for Care 2011 *Text messages will deliver further information to your mobile phone device and will be charged at your standard network rate.