What is Social Care? Job Variety

Many social care workers are home care assistants or work in residential care homes. But there's also a wide range of jobs working with children, families and young people, and people with disabilities. Typical job titles include care worker, support worker, key worker, and care assistant, but there are many others. Your employer could be a council, a small business, or a voluntary organisation. Here's a brief guide to the different areas of work .

Home Care

Home care workers give the practical support and regular human contact that can matter so much to older people to maintain their independence and well being. Home care workers become part of a vital support network, linking with other social services, health professionals, neighbours and families to make sure that people's needs are met with consideration and understanding.

Community work with families

Outreach teams, under the direction of a social worker, visit homes where parents are struggling to cope, and where children are in danger from their own behaviour and that of others. Giving support is an important first step, and the welfare of children is your priority. Social care workers along with other professionals help parents and support their relationships with their children.

Residential care

Residential care can become the best solution for people who, because of age or disabilities, are no longer able to cope in their own homes. Or they may need short spells away from their own homes in respite care. Residential care staff work to create safe, clean and cheerful fulfilling environments where people can live in comfort and are treated with dignity.

Community work with young people

Working in youth clubs, drop-in centres, residential homes and elsewhere, social care workers help young people at risk through sex and drug and alcohol abuse, offending behaviours, and the challenges of growing up in a world to which they find it hard to relate. Social care workers will also support young people leaving care as they start to lead independent lives.

Children's residential care

Although every effort is made to keep families together, sometimes children need to move into residential homes or go to foster homes. Social care workers build relationships with younger children to support them as they develop - often using games and play activities. As they grow older, the scope extends to issues such as self-image, success at school, sexuality and practical skills like cooking and budgeting. For looked after children, their relationships with social care workers can go a long way to building trust with the adult world.

Personal assistant

A new role in social care is that of the personal assistant who works with one person with disabilities to provide whatever practical support they need. Helping people with disabilities to gain control of their own lives is the key to helping them live independently.

Community work with adults

Within any community there are people who because of poor mental health, learning disabilities, or other problems need help to cope with everyday life. Social care workers provide practical support that helps people to lead fuller, more fulfilling lives in spite of the special difficulties they face.