Health and social care is about providing physical, emotional and social support to help people better their lives. For various reasons, at different stages in one's life, people may need support to develop and maintain their independence, dignity, and control.
Many individuals now work in roles that cover both health and social care, with the values and qualities required being similar in nature.
Some care roles which involve directly working with people who need care and support include:
A care worker provides support to all aspects of a client's daily life, including social and physical activities, personal care, mobility and mealtime assistance.
A designated helper who supports an individual to live as independently as possible, usually in their own home or in a community.
A support system for people to live independently, often following an illness or accident. This kind of worker helps people get back on their feet through assistance with housing, finance, social activities, and life skills such as cooking or budgeting.
People who open up their homes and family lives to include someone who needs care and support. They could live with you permanently or be a daytime visitor for a few hours a week.
An individual who supports vulnerable people by ensuring that their best interests are considered when making decisions about their future. These workers offer an outlet for susceptible voices to be heard and understood.
A role in which you would be responsible for organising social activities for people who need care and support, including trips out, entertainment and encouraging people to take part.
They help people whose health prevents them from doing various activities; this could be anything from getting dressed in the morning to running daily errands. Occupational therapists generally possess both problem-solving skills and patience in abundance.
Counsellors help their patients work through turbulent times in their lives; for instance, the recent loss of a loved one or coming to terms with a long-term disability. Counsellors guide them to make positive changes in perception to improve their mental state.
Health psychologists improve people's awareness and attitude towards health and help their patients think and behave differently. A prime example of this would be helping them to remove the alcohol or unhealthy eating habitats from their life.
Social workers aim to help people and families to live happier, more fulfilling lives. They encourage their clients to live independently and protect them from harm or abuse.
Health and social care is an incredibly broad career sector. Careers in healthcare are much more likely to require a combination of further study and on-the-job medical training. In contrast, careers in social care are more likely to require flexible training and allow people to work towards professional qualifications later in their careers.
Understandably, the operative word to consider when contemplating a career in this sector is 'care'. People who work in this field truly care about helping other people. Without a deep level of empathy and desire to alter others' lives for the better, it is impossible to find success in the health and social care world.
You will learn to master relationship building with patients, gaining the most valuable commodity in the process, their trust. Patience, friendliness, and communication skills are all traits that come with the territory.
These jobs are some of the most satisfying you can pursue. They can also be the most challenging emotionally. You certainly need to be genuinely compassionate and caring, but having an emotional shield, also known as thick skin, may also come in handy.
Health and Social Care courses do not have to break the bank. Here at Flexebee, you can get Unlimited Access to ALL care courses with our subscription package from just £0.40 per month/user. We're even doing a 14-Day Free Trial so you can test it out first! If you'd prefer fewer courses, our pay-as-you-go may be a better match. Buy starter bundles or do e-learning/webinar top-ups to access the online training you require for your future in care. The Care Certificate training course is ideal for health and social care workers of all levels.
By definition, nursing care is a healthcare need associated with the treatment, care or aftercare of someone with a disease, illness, injury or disability.
Assistant practitioners have the ability to study part-time for a foundation degree in health and social care. As they develop their careers, they can train as a senior assistant practitioner or study for a nursing degree.
There are many unique paths to take when pursuing a social care career. The tendency for most is to focus on specialising in one area. This is usually defined by the kind of service users they work with and their specific social problems, such as domestic violence, asylum, or mental health.
Certified social care work can take place in several different environments – in a service user's own home, in a residential care unit, in a shelter for the homeless, or young offender institutes.
The functionality of health and social care is absolutely vital to the world we live in. Upskilling in the digital age through the acquisition of certified training can lead to a prosperous career helping others, making a difference in the lives of individuals and society as a whole. Get in touch with us to learn more about certified e-learning today!