Louise Jones and Teresa Hope both have fulfilling careers in the care business. Picture by Peter Boam.
WIGHT LIVINGTHERE is much more to being a care worker than helping elderly people get washed and dressed.
People often find it difficult to look beyond the low pay and difficult work — and let’s be honest, it’s hardly the most glamorous of jobs — but a new recruitment drive to encourage people into the care industry aims to challenge those preconceptions.
“We want to show people care work is not a dead-end job. A lot of people don’t consider it as a career choice but there is a future in it,” said Sue Rumble, deputy partnership manager at Jobcentre Plus.
“If you talk to people in the care sector, they will tell you it’s a rewarding, fulfilling job. And these are people who never thought they would get into it but have found they love it and wouldn’t do anything else.”
While some people start their career in the industry after gaining a degree, many start out with no qualifications at all. But vocational training is usually offered on the job and those who start as care assistants and administrators on a salary of up to £15,000 can work their way up if they are committed enough.
The IW College offers various training opportunities, and on-the-job apprenticeships mean people can train to become care home managers, social workers, nurses or occupational therapists. The very top jobs pay between £30,000 and £70,000 plus.
So why do so many people dismiss care work as a promising career choice?
“Part of the reason is it’s not terribly well paid at first. It’s not far above the minimum wage and the job comes with a lot of responsibility, and if people can earn as much working in a supermarket without that level of responsibility, they will,” explained Ann Hollis, a workforce development officer for adult social care at the IW Council.
“You can’t get away from the fact care work is low paid but our message is it doesn’t have to stay that way. It’s not hard to climb the career ladder quite quickly, to progress, earn more money and get more fulfilment from the role.
“It’s true care work isn’t for everyone — you either love it or hate it — but people are wrong to think it’s just wiping old people’s bottoms. It’s so much more than that, it’s about helping vulnerable people to enjoy a happy, comfortable, interesting life.
“It’s a hugely important role in our society.”
A member of the IW Health and Social Care Training Group, Ann knows how vital good employers are to helping staff further their careers.
“Employers can be variable,” she admitted. “Some just want a bunch of care assistants but most want to see their staff develop and improve, and they will support them to do that. It’s in their best interests that staff progress and stay within their organisation.
“The bottom line is it’s not a walk in the park. You have to apply yourself to get to the top but if you are committed it’s such a rewarding career. There’s a lot more to the industry than people think.”
We love our hugely rewarding jobs
Louise Jones, 37, had no intention of working in the care industry. In fact, she trained as an accountant at the IW College.
But when she was unable to find a job in her chosen field after graduating and needed to earn some money, she started working as a care assistant at Brighstone Grange Residential Home and discovered she loved it.
“I absolutely didn’t want to look after old people and I never thought it would be my chosen career path but I love my job,” she said.
“It surprised me how much I enjoyed it. Working as an accountant would drive me mad now.”
Louise, of Marks Corner, Newport, is now the finance director of Island Healthcare, which manages four care homes across the Island.
She moved into the admin side of the care industry in her early 20s and worked her way up to director.
“If you are enthusiastic and committed, you can do it,” she said.
“You have to be passionate about what you do, though, and it’s not easy. Getting over your first death is really hard but then it’s fantastic when clients and their families say you’ve made a difference.
“I would definitely encourage people to go into the care industry. It’s hard work, it’s busy and it’s certainly not glamorous but it’s important and hugely rewarding. It’s not a job, it’s a vocation.”
Working in the care industry runs in the family.
Louise’s sister, Teresa Hope, 39, started as a care assistant after gaining her BTEC diploma at the IW College and is now manager of Highfield House Residential Home, Shanklin.
“I became a senior carer, then an assistant manager, then manager by the time I was 27,” said Teresa, of Noke Common. “I absolutely love it. I have a fantastic staff team and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
Teresa was always interested in working with elderly people and people with dementia and said she could not think of a more interesting, rewarding career.
“There’s nothing better than feeling you’ve really helped someone,” she said.
Teresa and Louise both praised Island Healthcare managing director Maggie Bennett, for supporting them to further their careers.
“I’ve worked my way up and done every job along the way, so I know it can be done,” she said.
“You have to enjoy the job, and if you don’t you should find something else. But I think a lot of people would be surprised at how much they would enjoy care work if they gave it a chance.
“And if you push yourself, there’s the opportunity to go as far as you want.”