Minister to experience day in the life of a social worker

Care Services Minister Phil Hope today underlined the benefits of a career in social work while promoting a nationwide recruitment campaign.

To highlight the need for people to retrain for the social care sector, the Minister today swapped his Whitehall office to spend the morning working in a care home for people with learning disabilities.

He rolled up his sleeves to help staff at Angela House in Hammersmith with their daily routine. Angela House is run by Yarrow, a specialist provider of learning disability and acquired brain injury services in London.

Despite the current economic climate, there is an increasing demand for social care workers due to our expanding ageing population. The Department of Health is currently running a series of events across the country, giving advice to people who may be interested in a career in social care.

Phil Hope said: “Working alongside people who work in social care this morning has been incredibly rewarding. I have huge respect and admiration for the work they do.

“I would encourage people to think seriously about social care work as a career option. It is a challenging and incredibly rewarding profession, which helps the most vulnerable people in the community get the most out of life in modern Britain. Specific training is provided so applicants just need great people skills and a desire to help others.”

Today the Minister found out what working in the social care sector was like by work shadowing staff at Angela House, helping them with their interactive story telling session.

He also attended one of the Department of Health’s recruitment events at West12 shopping centre in Shepherds Bush.

The event gives people advice on where they can find out what sort of jobs are available, where they can go to look for vacancies and general information on a career in social care. People wishing to register their interest in job openings are able to leave behind their contact details, which will be passed on to their local authority and employers in the area.

Kelsang Frasi, Deputy Manager for Yarrow Housing, which runs Angela House, explains why he works in social care: “My aunt had downs syndrome and the experience of caring for her made me realise that I wanted a job that put something back.

“I didn’t have enough qualifications to be a nurse, so I started working in a home that cared for people with learning disabilities. That was twenty three years ago and now I am deputy manager of the very same service.

“The people we care for are highly dependent and they rely on you a lot. This can be really rewarding, because when they are happy it really makes your day. I love my job, not only are there lots of opportunities for training and development but you know that you are making a difference.”

There are a wide variety of jobs available in social care. As well as working with older people, there are many opportunities to work with children, families and young people, and people with disabilities.