Working in Social Care - Kent in Social Care ... Medication, Health and Safety, Diversity and Adult ... Lead on to NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care Deputy Manager

Working inSocial CareThank you for your interest inworking in Social Care in Kent.

There are hundreds of individualSocial Care employers across thecounty including large companies,small businesses, voluntaryorganisations, the local authority and individuals buying their ownservices. These employers offer awide range of career options in ahuge variety of different settings.

www.kent.gov.uk/socialcarejobs

Social Care Inserts3 4/3/08 13:33 Page 1

Benefits of Working in Social Care

SupervisionSupervision is a one to one meeting that takes

place with the line manager on a regular basis.

These meeting's ensure that staff are supported,

particularly at the start of their job, to

understand what is expected of them and are

encouraged to develop their skills.

Expenses/TravelWorking in the community and supporting

people during the course of their daily lives may

incur expenses for social care workers. Where

this is the case employers will have individual

arrangements in place to reimburse their

employees. This often includes mileage and

travel undertaken for work purposes.

Getting StartedThere are lots of different types and levels of

work in social care. Many jobs do not require

you to have any qualifications or training before

you start. You will receive a comprehensive

induction and all the training you need to do the

job well. There are many opportunities for

development; gaining qualifications and career

progression making social care a good long term

employment prospect. (see our training and

development flyer for more information)

Pre Employment ChecksSocial care workers work with people who are

potentially vulnerable or physically frail. All

applicants for social care jobs must therefore

undertake pre-employment checks, which

include requesting a check from the criminal

records bureau and the Protection of Vulnerable

Adults (POVA) list and the taking up of

references. Applicants may also be required to

register with the General Social Care Council in

the near future.

Flexible WorkingMany roles offer a range of working hours

outside of the traditional 9 to 5 allowing you to

balance your work and home life. This might

include working longer shifts on fewer days,

school hours, evenings, weekends or working

night shifts. There are also opportunities to work

part time or on a casual basis where you could

fit in hours as and when they are needed.

VarietySocial care is a diverse area of work and provides

constant variety – no two days are the same!

A career in social care will enable you to have

close contact with all sorts of interesting people

including those with learning disabilities, older

people, people with mental health needs or

physical disabilities. Social care can take place in

many different settings, this might include

visiting people in their own homes, working in

respite services, nursing homes or day centres.

Job SatisfactionThe role of the social care worker is helping and

supporting others. This offers the opportunity to

make a real and noticeable difference to

people’s lives. Seeing the difference in the

quality of life of their service users and being

able to give something back to their community

are areas that provide job satisfaction and

motivation for many social care workers.

Equality and DiversitySocial care employers value the differences in

their workforce and the majority will have a

written policy relating to equality and diversity.

Most care providers actively seek to engage a

diverse workforce that mirrors the community

that they work with.


Training andQualifications

All new care workers will undertakean induction period when they firststart work in social care or when theychange employers/organisations.Induction is presented differently inevery organisation but is accreditedagainst the Skills for Care CommonInduction Standards. This creates apathway to the NVQ Level 2 Healthand Social Care Award where theinduction contributes to theunderpinning knowledgerequirements. Induction should becompleted in the first 12 weeks ofemployment.



Social Care Career Pathway

Your Career Starts Here

Common Induction StandardsLearning Disability Induction Award

Outreach WorkerSupport Worker

Residential Care WorkerCommunity Support Worker

Domiciliary Care WorkerPersonal Assistant

Shift LeaderTeam Leader

Senior Support WorkerCommunity Care Co-ordinator

Home ManagerOperational ManagerRegistered Manager

Specialist TrainerService Manager

Area ManagerDirector

Job RolesQualifications

NVQ Level 2 Health and Social Care

NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care

NVQ Level 4 Health and Social CareNVQ Level 4 Registered Managers Award

Management/Specialist Training

TrainingTraining is very important for all staff working in

social care roles. All care providers are obliged to

offer at least a minimum level of training to their

staff including First Aid, Administration of

Medication, Health and Safety, Diversity and Adult

Protection. Many organisations offer far more

than this encouraging their staff to attend

recognised specialist training related to their role.

QualificationsFollowing the induction period new social care

workers should have the opportunity to progress

on to complete a National Vocational

Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2 in Health and

Social Care. There are also opportunities to

complete NVQ’s at Level 3 in Health and Social

Care and the Level 4 Registered Managers Award

as you progress into higher level roles.


DomiciliaryCare ServicesDomiciliary Care is provided to adultsin their own homes. This includesadults with physical, mental andlearning disabilities. The CommunityCare Worker will provide servicessuch as personal and domestic care,food preparation, shopping, andrehabilitation services focusing onclient choice, independence, dignityand the right to remain in their ownhome as long as possible.

Key job titles1 Community Care Worker

1 Senior Community Care Worker

1 Care Force Worker

1 Care Assessor

1 Community Care Co-ordinator

1 Operations Manager

1 Registered Manager



Progression routesThe level of experience required depends on the

type of post applied for:

Prospective Community Care Worker

No experience or qualifications are needed but

new Community Care Worker's must be willing to

undertake an NVQ in Health and Social Care.

Community Care Worker

Common induction standard training(within 12 weeks of employment)

Specialist training(within 12 weeks of employment)

NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care

Senior Community/Senior Care Worker or Care Force Worker

Must have NVQ Level 2 in Heath and Social Care

Lead on to NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Care Assessor/Community Care Co-ordinator orOperational Manager

Must have NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care

Working towards or completed NVQ Level 4 inHealth and Social Care

Care Assessor must have also completed

Manual Handling training,

Risk Assessment training and recognised Healthand Safety qualification

Registered Manager

Must have NVQ Level 4 in Health and SocialCare or Registered Managers award

What skills are required?1 Good communication/listening skills

1 Understanding of the needs of the Adult you

could be caring for

1 Observation/recording skills

1 Ability to undertake assessments of

individual needs

1 Commitment to supporting others,

maintaining independence, choice and dignity

using Person centred approaches

What hours could I work?Domiciliary services are available 24 hours a day

365 days a year so all team members must be

able to work shifts, including some weekends

and bank holidays. Staff are also employed to

work at night. A range of full and part-time

positions are available. There is a full range of

hours available, depending on your need.

Currently, Community Care Worker contracts of

work can range from un-guaranteed to

guaranteed contracts.

SalaryThe salary for posts in domiciliary services varies

from company to company.

Average salaries in Kent:

Community Care Worker £6 an hour upwards

Some providers pay mileage up to 20p a mile

Community Care Worker (NVQ 2 or 3)

£7 an hour upwards

Co-ordinator £16,000.00 to £18,000.00

Registered Manager £27,000.00 to £35,000.00


ResidentialCare ServicesResidential care services areprovided for people who are not able to live in their own home evenwith support. This could be for avariety of reasons including old age, physical disability, learningdisability or a mental health need.

A residential care service wouldnormally provide accommodation,meals and personal care includinghelp with things like getting up orgoing to bed, washing, dressing and using the toilet.


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Progression RoutesTo become a carer a good basic education will be

needed and some employers may ask for NVQ in

Health and Social Care. All staff must be willing

to undertake Common Induction standard

training within the first 12 weeks of employment

and further Specialist Training following this, this

would be provided by the employer. All carers will

be expected to undertake NVQ training in Health

& Social Care at some point in their career.

Senior CarerMust have NVQ level 2 in Health & Social Care

Lead on to NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care

Deputy ManagerMust have NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care

Lead on to Registered Managers Award

Registered ManagerMust have NVQ level 4 in Health & Social Care or

Registered Managers Award

What hours could I work?Care homes are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a

week and 52 weeks a year, so the majority of

posts will involve some working during unsocial

hours such as evenings, weekends and bank

holidays. Each home operates its own shift

pattern, usually on a rota basis, and shifts can

vary in length and time of day. Most care homes

have a range of full and part time positions and

staff can work on a guaranteed hours contract or

a casual basis.

SalarySalary varies from Home to Home

Average salaries in Kent:

Carer from Minimum Wage to £8.50 per hour

Senior Carer from Minimum Wage to

£10.00 per hour

Deputy Manager from £15,000 to £28,000

Registered Manager from £26,000 to £40,000

As a member of the staff team in aresidential home you could beinvolved in a wide range of tasksdepending on the time of day or dayof the week. This would includehelping people with their personalcare, supporting them with visits tothe doctor or health professional,serving meals and helping people toeat, supporting people to managetheir money or to make social visits.

Key Job Titles1 Carer

1 Senior Carer

1 Deputy Manager

1 Registered Manager

What skills are required?1 Good sense of humour

1 Good communication and listening skills

1 Understanding of the needs of the clients

in your care

1 Observation and recording skills

1 Ability to make an assessment of clients’ needs

1 A sympathetic and understanding nature

1 A commitment to supporting others in

maintaining their independence and making

choices

1 An understanding of person centred care

1 Ability to work as part of a team

County Print & Design 2 01622 605368 14641/BS

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Mental HealthServicesPrimary Care Trusts/NHS Trustsusually commission services for thosewith mental ill-health through theirCommunity Mental Health Teams(CMHT) which now include SocialWorkers and Care Managers from localauthority Social Service Departments.They access a range of statutoryservices from specialists such asOccupational Therapists, ClinicalPsychologists and Psychiatrists.

Key job titles1 Support Workers

1 Senior Support Workers

1 Employment Development Workers

1 Registered Managers

1 Team Leaders

1 Service Development Managers



There are a range of career options for those

interested in working with people who have

mental health issues.

1 Registered Care – providing homes in the

community regulated under The Commission

for Social Care Inspectorate.

1 Supported Living and Community Support –

supporting people in their own homes to

develop life skills and participate in meaningful

day activities, e.g. swimming, shopping,

bowling, college or adult education classes.

1 Employment and Vocational Services –provide opportunities to support service

users into employment, training and/or

education through a range of initiatives.

Within all the employment programmes,

individuals are encouraged to progress into

or return to paid, mainstream employment,

utilising individual action plans and some

form of individual placement and support

model, as the foundation for each individual’s

pathway to employment.

Progression routesNVQ in Health and Social Care or a Certificate in

Mental Health are the usual starting points in

terms of qualification needed to progress from

Support Worker to Senior Support Worker or

Employment Development Worker, or from a

Senior Support Worker to Registered Manager

or Team Leader in residential services. Service

Development Managers may be promoted from

either residential or day/employment services

and would be expected to have a breadth of

knowledge of both fields of work as well as a

management qualification.

What experience is required?

No specific experience is usually sought for a

Support Worker, although Senior Support

Workers will need to have worked at a Support

Worker level. Registered Managers and Team

Leaders will also need to evidence experience of

working in this field, and be able to meet

national standards like those from the Care

Standards Act or the Reach standards.

What skills are required?Most important is evidence of understanding

‘life’ skills, good communication skills, patience

and a positive attitude to people with mental

health issues. Health and Safety awareness

will be critical. Being able to support the

development and delivery of individual care or

development plans and programmes will be

needed, together with a commitment to support

others to achieve independence. Also essential

is the ability to work as one of a team, work

with other providers and statutory services.

What hours could I work?Residential services are available 24 hours a

day 365 days a year so team members often

have to work shifts, including some weekends

and nights as well as some bank holidays.

Non-residential activities and employment

services may also cover weekends and evenings.

A range of full and part time positions are

available and there are also opportunities for

relief staff.

SalaryThe salary for posts in Mental Health Services

varies from company to company. Average

salaries for some key posts are:

Support Workers £18,000 pa (including

enhancements for weekend/night working)

Senior Support Workers £21,000 pa

Registered Managers/Team Leaders £23,500 pa

Employment Development Workers £19,000 pa

Service Development Managers £40,000 pa


CommunitySupportServicesCommunity Support is a very person-centred provision. It entails enabling,promoting and motivating, with theaim of achieving greaterindependence or maintainingsufficient independence. The serviceprovides skilled guidance andsupport to help the individual to leadan active and stimulating life. Thisfully encompasses the principles ofnormalisation by O’Brien i.e.Community Presence, Choice andCompetence, Participation andimportantly, Respect and Belonging.

Key job titles1 Support Worker

1 Senior Support Worker

1 Team Manager/Assessor



Community support can be usedby all service users:1 Mental Health – Building a rapport quickly

and easily, daily living help, community

engagement, informal monitoring,

encouragement of social networking,

stepping stones to independence, motivation,

desensitisation, confidence.

1 Older Persons – Complex daily living

provision, motivation, establishing a rapport,

introduction to other community supports,

promotion of existing skills.

1 Physical Disability/HIV – Complex daily living

provision, empowerment, community

participation, employment, establishing a

rapport, preventing social isolation,

promotion of abilities, confidence and

support with accessing other professionals.

1 Learning Disability – empowerment,

independent living support, promotion of

existing skills, modelling and training,

overcoming difference and discrimination,

assistance to arrange and attend visits with

appointments, budgeting.

This is by no means an exhaustive list and many

of the supports listed could be attributable

across the disciplines. There are also many other

Social Services clients who may receive an

individualised Community Service, for example a

person with drug and alcohol problems who

needs motivation to attend a self-help group.

A person with a head injury, and associate

memory problems, may need someone to pop

in twice a week to support them with a self-

management system, such as a file or a diary,

to help organise their week.

Progression routesThis depends on the organisation, usually one

starts as a Support Worker and can progress to

become a Senior Support Worker as one gains

more experience and completes training/

qualifications.

What experience is required?The level of experience required depends on the

complexity of the support package. Support

Workers may join with little or no experience but

should be level-headed. They should have

understanding, commitment, good communication

skills, good observation skills, patience and

sensible approaches to life in general.

For the more in depth and complex cases,

Support Workers should have at least a year of

experience working in the relevant field and the

required training to equip them to do the job.

What skills are required?Community Support calls for the utilisation of a

Support Worker’s personal competence, life

skills and experiences. Training on user rights,

proper recording, money, personal safety,

confidentiality, other disability-specific supports

(i.e. escorting a person with visual difficulties)

and equalities would seem to be important.

What hours could I work?Depending on the needs of the individual and

the size of the employer, a range of full and part-

time positions are available on a flexible basis.

Some guaranteed contracts are available

depending on your availability.

SalaryThe salary for posts in Community Support

Services varies from company to company,

however an average salary for a Support

Worker in Kent would be around £13,500 to

£15,000 per annum.


LearningDisabilityServicesWorking with people who have alearning disability is stimulating,rewarding and good fun. Promotingindependence to ensure that peopleare able to access all parts of thecommunity and community life,working with adults with learningdisabilities will provide opportunitiesfor you to use your skills and talentsfor the benefit of others. Workingwith people with learning disabilitiescan include people with autism,those with complex needs who havephysical or medical needs as well aslearning disabilities and some whocan present difficult and challengingbehaviours. Opportunities exist in allaspects of the service includingresidential care, domiciliary care,community support, activity-basedday services and one to one work.



Key job titles1 Support Worker

1 Senior Support Worker

1 Personal Assistant

1 House or Unit Manager

Progression routesAll services will provide you with a good

induction into working with adults with

learning disabilities and training to NVQ Level 2

and 3 is usually available. Opportunities for

promotion are good and Senior Support Worker

and Managerial posts are available for

experienced staff.

What experience is required?You need no previous direct experience in this

work but previous experience of caring, even

within a family setting, can be advantageous.

Managerial posts will usually require an NVQ or

equivalent qualification.

What skills are required?You will need to have patience, a willingness to

learn and an appreciation of the difficulties

faced by adults with learning disabilities. The

ability to teach people everyday living skills such

as cooking or the willingness to help people

engage in community activities is also necessary.

You will need to work in a person centred way

ensuring that every adult has the opportunity to

direct their own support.

Opportunities to develop specific skills in areas

such as communication, managing difficult

behaviour, developing healthy lifestyles, report

writing, advocacy and meeting health needs

are often available within the training provided

by services.

What hours could I work?Hours are varied but are designed to meet the

needs of those you are caring for. Residential

care may operate on a shift basis whereas day

services will usually have fixed hours. One to

one work or working as a personal assistant will

require you to fit into the hours needed by the

person you are supporting.

Most services offer full and part time

opportunities.

Working some weekends and public holidays

may be an essential part of the job.

SalaryThe salary for posts in Learning Disability

Services varies from company to company.

An average salary for a Support Worker in Kent

would be between £11,500 and £15,000 per

annum. Extra payments are often made for

working weekends and public holidays and

some services may require you to ‘sleep in’, for

which additional payments are made.


PersonalAssistantPersonal Assistants (PAs) are directlyemployed by disabled people, theirfamily or trustees to enable them tolive independently in their ownhome.

The disabled person has a choice ofwho they employ and decides how,when and at what time assistance isprovided.

A Personal Assistant will assist withmany aspects of a person’s lifeincluding work, leisure, educationand daily living activities in thehome.


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For example, physically disabled employers may

require their Personal Assistant to have

experience in moving and handling, use of

hoisting equipment and in supporting people

with their personal care. Others may require a

person to have experience of cooking the foods

that they enjoy, particularly if they need a

special diet.

What skills are required?A Personal Assistant would ideally:

1 Be level headed

1 Have a positive attitude

1 Demonstrate commitment to promoting

independence

1 Have good verbal communication skills

1 Be able to motivate others

1 Have a flexible approach.

Life skills and experience are very important to

the role of a Personal Assistant.

What training and qualificationsare needed?Formal social care qualifications are not always

required and many job adverts will say that no

qualifications are necessary.

Many disabled people prefer to provide informal

training on their individual assistance

requirements to their Personal Assistants,

however there may be more formal training

available for specific needs. Where formal

training is needed, the employer is responsible

for providing this and may be accessing funding

through KCC to enable this to happen.

What hours could I work?A variety of work patterns, shifts, job sharing and

even live-in positions are available across Kent.

Personal Assistants are in high demand in certain

geographic areas, a trend which is likely to

increase with the introduction of individual self-

directed support from Government.

What is Personal Assistance?Personal Assistance is different from care – it is

assistance that disabled people have control

over to enable them to lead the life-style they

wish to lead.

A disabled person will employ a Personal

Assistant to support them with the tasks they

need assistance with, at the time and location

that they need it.

The work of Personal Assistants varies

depending on who you work for and the

assistance they need. Every job is different as

some people require support with a wide range

of tasks while others employ a Personal

Assistant to undertake very specific tasks.

As a Personal Assistant you have a choice of:

1 who you work for

1 the types of jobs you wish to do

1 flexible working hours at times you choose

1 how many employers you work for

1 which geographic areas you work in.

Who would my employer be?Personal Assistants are employed directly by a

disabled person. They are entitled to receive

statutory employment entitlements including:

1 a written contract of employment where terms

and conditions are defined by the employer

1 paid holiday

1 sick pay if eligible

1 rights of employment according to current

employment legislation.

Personal Assistants would be covered by their

employers ‘Employers’ Liability Insurance’.

What experience is required?Experience of similar work is not always

necessary. The employer will determine what

experience is required; this will be detailed in

the job advert and will depend on how complex

their support requirements are.


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Adult Placement(Shared Lives)

Kent Adult Placement Scheme offersvulnerable adults the opportunity to livewith families or individuals in the localcommunity. Each placement offers ahighly flexible form of accommodationand support, enabling the vulnerableadult to share the life and activities ofthe Adult Placement Carer.

An Adult Placement Scheme is similar tofostering schemes but is for adultsrather than children.

The role of the Adult Placement Schemeis to support and enable AdultPlacement Carers to provide highquality care and support in a homelysetting to the individual placed withthem through a rigorous matchingprocess. The Adult Placement Schemewill continue to support the carerthroughout the placement and willensure that they provide the level ofcare and support that has been agreed.


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In addition, applicants will need to demonstrate

the basic skills and knowledge required for

carrying out an enabling role.

A full assessment is undertaken on anyone

wishing to become a carer. The potential carer

and their family undergo a rigorous assessment.

This will include taking up personal and medical

references as well as full checks with the Criminal

Records Bureau and the Local Authority. The

assessment will also look at the accommodation

offered, reasons for applying, background,

interests, life style, education/ employment,

health and attitudes.

It is a mandatory requirement to attend regular

training courses applicable to your enabling and

caring role.

What support would I get?Adult Placement Carers are entitled to:

1 Written Terms and Conditions

1 A signed agreement between the Carer and

the Adult Placement Scheme

1 Periods of respite (up to 28 days per year)

1 Regular supervision from a named Adult

Placement Officer

1 Access to development opportunities and

applicable training courses

1 Covered by Kent County Council’s Public

Liability Insurance.

Adult Placement Carers are considered self

employed for tax and insurance purposes.

Information on the simplified income tax

arrangements for Adult Placement Carers can be

found on the HM Revenue and Customs website.

SalaryAs a professional carer you will receive

payment, which will be negotiated once the

placement has been agreed. The amount you

will receive will depend on the level of support

required by the person living with or staying

with you. Carers are not paid whilst they do not

have a person in a placement.

What types of care could I provide?1 Short or long term placements

1 Respite placements

1 ‘Preparation for Independence’ placements

1 Day care.

The individuals who access Adult Placements are

vulnerable adults. These adults may have a

learning and/or physical disability or could be

frail due to advancing years and will require

varying levels of support.

What types of support woulda carer provide?This can vary but could include:

1 Assistance to develop life skills such as

literacy, money management and cooking

along with other day to day living skills

1 Assistance to maintain their life skills or

require more direct support

1 A great deal of intense support in all areas of

their life

However, in providing this support, all will require

a considerable degree of time and commitment to

meet the identified needs to enable the vulnerable

adult to be as independent as possible and lead

more active and fulfilled lives.

What experience/skills arerequired?Adult Placement Carers can be single people,

couples and/or families from a wide variety of

backgrounds and cultures. No formal

qualifications are required although we are

looking for people with:

1 Sensitivity and warmth

1 A sense of humour

1 An interest in helping vulnerable adults to be

valued members of their communities

1 Time to spare

1 A spare bedroom.


www.kent.gov.uk/adultplacementscheme

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FurtherContactsThis flyer is to help you accessfurther information on working insocial care by linking you to othersocial care organisations and related websites.

There are a number of differentplaces which provide information on:

1 current jobs

1 training, development and

qualifications

1 careers advice and guidance

Some of these contacts are listed over the page;

many of them also contain links to other sources.

To view adverts for the jobs that are being

advertised locally visit:



General InformationThe Department of Health have a website

dedicated to showing the range of careers

available in social care.

www.socialworkandcare.co.uk

� 0845 604 6404

The General Social Care Council are responsible

for registering social workers and will be

responsible for implementing registration for

social care workers.

www.gscc.org.uk

The Commission for Social Care Inspection

register and inspect social care services.

www.csci.org.uk

Skills for Care

www.skillsforcare.org.uk

The MIND website provides some useful

information sheets on career’s in Mental Health.

www.mind.org.uk

Employers OrganisationsKent Care Homes Association (KCHA) for

information about working in residential

care services in Kent.

� [email protected]

� 01634 291073

Kent Care Homes Association (KCHA) for

information about working in domiciliary

services in Kent.

www.carekent.org

Training/LearningThe Health and Social Care Centre at South Kent

College have been awarded a contract which

allows them to deliver subsidised training to

those working or wishing to work in the social

care sector.

www.southkent.ac.uk/training4care

� 0845 207 8216

KEY Training Services provide a range of education

and training opportunities relating to social care

including providing social care apprenticeships.

www.keytrainingservices.org.uk

� [email protected]

� 0800 731 4297

Current JobsThere are a number of places that social care

providers across the county advertise their

vacancies – this list details a few of these:

To search for jobs within the private and

voluntary sector and within Kent County

Council’s social care services.


The local press is often used to advertise jobs;

many of the local papers have websites that you

can view these vacancies through:

Kent Messenger Group

www.kentonline.co.uk

Kent on Sunday

www.kentonsunday.co.uk

Courier Newspapers

www.thisiskent.co.uk

Many social care jobs will be advertised through

the job centre plus – you can view these by

visiting your local job centre or on the website.

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk


Documents

Working in Social Care - Kent in Social Care ... Medication, Health and Safety, Diversity and Adult ... Lead on to NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care Deputy Manager