Career Development for Social Care Workers
Working in social care allows for career progression and development. As staff obtain experience and qualifications, there are opportunities to progress to more challenging positions such as senior care assistant or senior support worker. 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. It is expected that staff progressing to more responsible roles would undertake qualifications appropriate to the job role. Completion of an NVQ demonstrates a worker’s skills and competence at each level and area of expertise. NVQs in Health & Social Care specify the tasks and skills required for workers at specific levels of responsibility.
The Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) trainee frameworks for young people offer a vocational route into social care whilst in full-time education. Further information on these frameworks is available from the Department of Employment and Learning. Younger people still at school may wish to study a vocational qualification in Health and Social Care at GCSE and A-level standard. This will give them an understanding of working in social care and help prepare them to consider a career in social care. School careers advisers can provide advice on choosing these options.
People who are already in the workforce, or are looking to re-skill to join the social care workforce can contact their local Careers Service Office for careers advice. Contact details are available from Department of Employment and Learning website. The Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) provides advice on adult learning opportunities, such as qualifications, awarding bodies, funding, distance learning opportunities and finding a course.
Further & Higher Education (F&HE) colleges have a career guidance or information service to help you find the right course. Most colleges hold information days where potential students can obtain information and advice on all full and part-time courses offered and get the opportunity to speak to tutors and career staff. The NISCC Social Care Contacts booklet provides contact details for colleges and training providers in NI.
top