Published: Friday, 19th March, 2010 3:06pm

Who cares?

by Judith Edwards

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PA Photo/Thinkstockphotos.

Research conducted for the Department of Health discovered that a third of people questioned would consider switching to a career in social care, and those most interested are younger people.

Despite the extensive press around the tragic story of Baby P, people are still keen to join a sector that employs some 1.5 million people in England, and provides care to children and families, older and disabled people, young people and those with learning disabilities. So what is it that makes a career in social services attractive?

It's the reward of working with people, providing care, and making a difference in someone's life, says David Taylor, 23, a care assistant who recently left a career in fashion to find more meaning in his life.

"Every day is different, and I work with an amazing and inspiring team of people. You get the odd hard day on the job, every time I go in to work and see the smiles on the faces of the people I help, and knowing they're waiting for me to come in, makes the job worthwhile."

Demand for social care is predicted to steadily increase in the next 20 years. As people continue to live longer, the number of people aged over 65 in England will increase by just under half, while the number of those over 85 will double. To meet this demand, as many as 200,000 jobs in the sector are expected to be advertised in the coming year.

A new TV advertising campaign and face-to-face events across the country aim to show how rewarding a career in social care can be. Phil Hope MP, the Care Services Minister, said: "With the number of people who may need help with day-to-day tasks set to grow, this is a sector that will offer an increasing number of opportunities for those looking for jobs or a new career." People from all walks of life are encouraged to apply. But just what does social work entail, and do you need nerves of steel? Most of us tend to think of social carers as middle-aged people taking care of the aged, but carers tend to vary as much as the people they're caring for, says Penny Bussey, a regional care manager who left her job as a violin teacher to work with people with dementia, when she was 43.

"There's this assumption that, as a social care worker, you do nothing but unpleasant things [like help the person you care for go to the toilet], but that's not the way to look at it. I help people carry on living and to do it in a way that makes them feel that life is worth living." A huge draw of the job, she says, is the variety of people she works with. "I've cared for people with the most interesting life experiences - one was a member of the French resistance in World War Two, another worked at Bletchley Park as a decoder, others have been train drivers and refugees - you name it, they come from all walks of life."

Providing care to someone every day is not always easy. While carers might choose what group of people they'd like to work with - older people or those with mental health difficulties, for example - they can't choose the individual. Personality clashes can flare into arguments, requiring the social carer to walk a thin line of care and counselling, says Ian Anderson, a former banker who's been working in social care for the past 32 years. "You occasionally work with people who are very difficult to work with, but you have to put that to one side. It's about helping them make a difference to their lives rather than making the difference for them."

Facts about life as a social carer

 Most applicants should be over the age of 18. It is possible to work in some areas of social care from 16. All applicants must undergo pre-employment checks.

 Social care jobs range from home-care assistants to residential care homes working with older people. Also working with children, families and people with disabilities. No particular experience is required, as on-the-job training is provided, applicants can receive NVQs and, in some cases work towards a social work degree.

Social care is similar to social work but social workers need an honours degree to practise.