80% of registered social care workers recently surveyed by the Care Council for Wales said they were satisfied with their jobs and almost all ruled out moving into any other line of work. The results provide welcome news at the start of the fourth Social Care Week (21-25 June).

The survey asked registered social care workers about their current job, as well as what kept them working in the sector and the satisfaction it gave them. It identified the top five reasons keeping staff working in social care, with the vast majority citing the enjoyment and satisfaction they got from supporting people. Other reasons included taking on rewarding and challenging work and helping people remain independent.

Rhian Huws Williams, the Care Council's Chief Executive said: "People working in social care are good ambassadors for a career in this sector and this survey has given us some very clear and positive messages.

"From the responses, it is clear that one of the main motivational factors for these workers is the importance of carrying out a worthwhile job which they find rewarding and satisfying.

"It also reinforces the fact that a social care career is very much suited to a 'people person'. Many respondents said they enjoyed the interaction with their clients and the social aspect of their job. These results will encourage people who are looking for work to consider social care as a career option. It is important that we attract as many good-quality people as possible to social care to ensure there is a large enough workforce to meet the anticipated increase in demand for care in future."

Almost 800 registered social care workers responded to the postal survey. When asked what they most enjoyed about their jobs, the most common answers were the satisfaction of getting results, helping young people succeed, and the social interaction through day-to-day work with service users. There were also clear messages about the value of empowering their clients, with respondents stating the importance of enabling vulnerable people and helping people remain independent. On the whole, respondents also felt they worked in jobs where they were valued and appreciated.

Of those who responded, 85% were likely to remain in their current post, while, according to those who would be looking for other work, 94% wanted to stay in the social care sector. Responses were received from workers representing 21 of the 22 local authority areas in Wales.

Social Care Week is unique to Wales and its main aim is to raise the profile of the social care profession, recognizing the excellent work it does, and encouraging more people to choose it as their career.

To coincide with Social Care Week, the Care Council has produced a series of films of young people working in care, as well as new publications on career opportunities in social work and social care.

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If you have any queries, please contact either Malcolm Williams on 029 2078 0634 (malcolm.williams@ccwales.org.uk) or Charmine Smikle on 029 2078 0626 (charmine.smikle@ccwales.org.uk).

Notes to editors

1. The survey was conducted at the end of May 2010 and results collated by 16 June 2010. The response rate was 21% among social care workers registered with the Care Council for Wales with almost 800 respondents in total.

2. 80% of respondents were at least quite satisfied with their job, with 25% of them saying they were very satisfied.

3. Top five reasons keeping workers in social care:

1. Enjoy the job / job satisfaction

2. Making a difference

3. Working with people and service users

4. Rewarding and challenging job

5. Helping people maintain their independence

4. Quotes from social care workers available on request.