Social care as a career
Care for your career and reap the rewards
Around five per cent of the total workforce in Wales is involved in some form of social care. That translates into a workforce of around 88,000 working with people of all ages who have different needs. In all our communities, there are children, adults and families who are being supported by social care workers, helping them to remain safe and independent, either in their homes or in residential care.
What is social care?
Many people, at different points in their lives, will need extra support to do tasks we all take for granted. This may be because of getting older, being ill, the effects of a disability, family crises or other factors that make it more difficult to tackle daily life. Social care workers provide that support and help.
To be a good social care worker you will need to be good at building relationships with people, be trustworthy and respectful and be committed to helping people live as independently as they can. This will mean understanding the importance of the communities in which people live and the family supports that enable people to live fulfilling lives that they control. You may have to be good at practical tasks but you will also have to be able to provide emotional support to people through some difficult times.
Why choose a career in social care?
Social care is an extremely rewarding profession that gives you a way to contribute to your community and improve the lives of other people through your actions. It is demanding and requires a wide range of personal qualities such as patience, understanding, sensitivity, empathy, and the ability to listen to people and help them to find a way through the barriers and challenges that affect their lives.
There are a huge range of opportunities and jobs to choose from. You will be able to find work that suits your circumstances, stage of life and work experiences. You will be able to find full time and part time opportunities that will suit your family or other commitments. Whatever you choose you will be doing a job that will make a difference to the quality of the lives of the people you are supporting, and that brings immense job satisfaction. By choosing social care, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives.