Getting Started in Social Care

Having some relevant voluntary or unpaid experience and the right qualities may help when you apply for jobs in social care. Some posts may require formal qualifications, normally vocational qualifications, which require formal assessment of competence. However, it is also possible to obtain these qualifications after starting work in social care. 

Most positions do require that you are able to communicate sensitively and effectively. You would also be expected to work within a team, as well as with other professionals, such as social workers and health care workers. Social care workers have to be non-judgemental, understanding, patient, have good listening skills and be committed to supporting people in difficult circumstances. They may also need to be flexible about the hours they work and the range of duties they undertake.

A general requirement for entry to employment in the social care profession is to complete Induction training within the first six months of employment. This provides the basic knowledge and skills to ensure that employees are ‘safe to begin work’ – a requirement for the whole social care workforce. Social care workers are expected to regularly update their skills and learning and to develop their professional competence through in service courses and work-based qualifications such as NVQs. Registration with the NISCC is now a legal requirement for certain social care posts. More information is available in the Registration section.

The information booklet ‘Social Care Contacts’ below contains contact details for many of the social care employers and training providers in NI. You can also request a copy from the NISCC Enquiries Team (Tel 028 9041 7600).

Social Care Contacts Directory of employment and training contacts

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