I want to work in adult social care

Starting a career in social care can be very rewarding. There are lots of different roles depending on what you want to do, who you want to work with and where you'd like to work. We have lots of flexible ways for you to develop your skills and experience and opportunities for further training, promotion and progression. Take a look at our courses on this page to get you started in your new career.

Fast track into social care employment 

Interested in starting a career in social care in Stockton-on-Tees? Now more than ever, if you're ready to make a difference we're looking for people to join us, because we care for those who care.

We work alongside our Employment and Training Hub for people aged 18+ who are looking for a career in care. We have a recruitment and training programme to train potential new staff to access opportunities in the social care sector. We are looking for people who want to pursue long term careers in social care sector with support and training provided to develop their career prospects for the future.

We have links with all commissioned adult social care providers in Stockton-on-Tees and we provide tailored one-to-one support to help you find your perfect job.

Apply for a career in care

How it works

We ask you to complete a short application form which helps capture information about your existing skills and experience and provides us with information on the type of role you are looking for. The Employment and Training Hub will then contact you to discuss your application and talk to you about the different options available to you.

If you require training, we will help you access this.

If you wish to immediately apply for work, we will source suitable job opportunities for you and put you in contact with employers.

If you do not feel ready to apply for a role in social care yet, we offer a range of training that could still prepare you for employment at a later date.

For further details, please call 01642 528392 or email hub@stockton.gov.uk

Pathway into adult social care

This course prepares you for any role within adult social care, in order to ensure the needs of vulnerable people continue to be met.

Who is the course for?

This qualification is suitable for those who are looking to work in, or widen their knowledge of, the adult social care sector and are currently seeking employment. The course will develop your knowledge of the responsibilities of adult social care workers, the diverse needs of the people using the services, and other important factors such as working in a person-centred way and safeguarding. 

What you will learn:

The course will cover the following and include accredited qualifications:

• emergency first aid
• elements of the Care Certificate

At the end of the course you will be guaranteed an interview with a social care provider.

How will you learn?

Where appropriate we will offer classroom-based training supplemented by home study and e-learning supported by our tutors. You will be assessed by your tutor using a variety of methods including, portfolio of evidence, written assignments and an independent study task. There are no exams - just assessments!

Benefits

• gain a nationally recognised qualification
• establish a long-standing career pathway within the social care sector
• study will enhance both your personal skills and professional development
• personal tutors are assigned to you to ensure you have the support needed to succeed
• employment opportunities with a guaranteed interview with local care providers

Course starting dates and times

This course is delivered face to face at the Employment and Training Hub. 

Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) - Pathway into Adult Social Care

SWAP is training approved by the Job Centre.

If you would like to find out more about any of the courses or would like to enrol please contact:

The Employment and Training Hub
Phone: 01642 528392
Email: hub@stockton.gov.uk

Job Centre 
Daryl House
Bridge Rd
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 3BW
Phone: 0800 169 0310

Planning your career in adult social care

There are lots of different roles in social care depending on what you want to do, who you want to work with and where you'd like to work.

Social care is one of the few sectors where jobs are increasing, offering a wide range of long-term career opportunities. A career in social care offers long-term employment prospects, with a lot of opportunities for promotion and progression within the sector. 

Why you should choose social care 

Somewhere in your community there's a job that you can do to help others. If you like working with people, social care offers a worthwhile job that can turn into a rewarding, long-term career. There are lots of different job roles in social care. It just depends on what you're interested in, who you want to work with and where you want to work. 

Interactive careers tool

Skills for Care has an interactive tool which has been created to support anyone interested in finding out more about a career in care.  

It can be used by jobseekers, students, people considering a change of career or care workers wanting to progress in their career. Careers advisors, teachers or job brokers can also use it with people they are supporting.  

The tool highlights the range of job opportunities within the care sector and how you can get into and progress a career in care. It includes case studies of people currently working in a range of different roles who talk about how they have progressed their career. 

 Go to the Skills for Care interactive tool

There is also information about the wide range of roles available. Skills for Care's Job Roles page provides information on the skills you need, the experience and qualifications you require, how to get started and what routes there are for progression. 

If you would like to discuss the possibility of a career in Adult Social Care with a specially trained advisor please contact

The Employment and Training Hub
Phone: 01642 528392
Email: hub@stockton.gov.uk

Personal assistants (PA) 

As a PA you'll work directly with one or more individuals to help them with various aspects of their daily life, to help them live as independently as possible.

Personal assistants carry out a variety of tasks, and no two jobs will ever be the same. This is because the individual employer can choose exactly how they want you to support them. Tasks might include domestic and personal care, helping with child care, looking after pets or leisure and social activities. It's an important role and can be an extremely rewarding career, as you will be supporting someone to live an independent and fulfilling life.  

Who do PAs work for?

People who use a PA might include people with physical or learning disabilities, older people, families with children with disabilities or people with mental health issues. It's a very flexible role, you can work for just one or, if you prefer, a number of people, building up your hours and earning more.

The wide range of tasks a PA may be asked to carry out might include:

• help with personal care, such as washing and dressing
• support to access community, social and leisure activities
• support with medication
• help with household tasks, such as cleaning and laundry
• driving
• preparing meals
• support with communication
• looking after pets

Your specific role will depend on the requirements of the employer or person you are a PA for.

How it works

The person that requires the support or their representative will employ you directly. You won't work for a company or the Local Authority, you will be employed by an individual or family. You may have to have a DBS check, provide references and have the right to work in the UK. You will still have employment rights and will still be entitled to annual leave.

You can find out more information at Skills for Care's individual employers page.

What skills will I need?

You don't necessarily need any qualifications to become a personal assistant. What's important is that you're a kind, responsible, compassionate and patient person. Don't worry if you don't have many qualifications - you may be able to work towards them once you start the role.

You will need to be able to develop a strong and trusting relationship with the person you are supporting and enjoy helping them to live life the way they choose. Your role is not to make decisions for others, but to help them live an independent life and sometimes develop skills themselves. A PA needs to have excellent listening and communication skills, along with good literacy, numeracy and interpersonal skills.

Training and support

Working as a PA can provide invaluable experience, as well as training and qualifications, to assist you to further your career in health or social care. 

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Adult Social Care Team will provide you and your employer with lots of support including access to a programme of training and development. This can include:

• first aid
• manual handling
• safeguarding
• mental capacity
• medication qualifications level 1 and 2 
• infection control
• food hygiene 
• health and safety 
• dementia awareness

PA employers have also access training for their PAs through the Skills for Care information for individual employers.

PA vacancies

For more information about personal assistant roles visit the UKCIL website. 

Shared Lives

I want to be a Shared Lives carer

Shared Lives is a scheme that supports adults with additional needs including those with a learning disability, mental health problem or other needs that make it harder for them to live on their own. It is an alternative to supported living or residential care.

The service matches people who need care and support with an approved carer. The carer shares their family and community life and gives care and support to the person with care needs.

Some people move in with their Shared Lives carer while some are regular visitors during the day or overnight.

Being a Shared Lives carer

There are a range of ways you can become a Shared Lives carer, whether it be living with someone in your home long term or providing respite care for weekends, holidays or emergencies. Carers receive an allowance for the people they care for but the rewards are bigger than financial. Being a Shared Lives carer can be very rewarding  and you will see the amazing difference you have made to someone's life.

Shared Lives care is based on shared interests, lifestyles and sense of humour. It's a bit like fostering - for adults. The scheme strives to ensure it feels like an ordinary life for someone who needs support - and doesn't feel like a 'job' for you.

How it works

Shared Lives carers are self-employed and work from their own home or community. Carers are paid a fee for providing their services to another adult in their home. Carers go through an in-depth assessment and approval process that includes having a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, providing references and working with the Shared Lives service in order to help them get to know you and understand who to match with you. 

The Shared Lives service will provide training and ongoing support to help you manage your role and do it safely. Training includes:

• safer people handling
• first aid
• food hygiene
• learning disability awareness
• safeguarding adults

You will be paid a fee on a four-weekly by the service for each client who is placed with you and also have paid respite each year.

Find out more

Our friendly Shared Lives team are on hand to talk about becoming a Shared Lives carer and explain the scheme and answer any questions you may have. 

Phone: 01642 524494
Email: carerssupport@stockton.gov.uk

Find more information at the Shared Lives Plus website or at our dedicated Shared Lives webpage..