International recruitment into adult social care

If you are looking for a role in adult social care in Scotland, then you should know that there are different types of care services, and different types of social care roles. 

The most common job you can apply for is a Care Worker and Home Care Worker.  Care workers and home carers attend to the personal needs and comforts of the elderly and the infirm with care and support needs (service users) within residential care establishments, day care establishments or in their own homes.

There is a significant difference between working in a care home environment and a care-at-home environment, so knowing what the differences are will help you to choose the right role for you.  There is also a very big difference between being a social care worker and being a social worker.

• Care home: A care home is a place where personal care and accommodation are provided together. People may live in the service for short or long periods. For many people, it is their sole place of residence and so it becomes their home, although they do not legally own or rent it.
• Care at home: These services provide personal care for people living in their own homes. The needs of people using the services may vary greatly, but packages of care are designed to meet individual circumstances. The person is visited at various times of the day or, in some cases, care is provided over a full 24-hour period. Where care is provided intermittently throughout the day, the person may live independently of any continuous support or care between the visits.
• Social care worker: You’ll work with people who need direct care and support, and you’ll be responsible for an individual’s overall comfort and independence. You could work in a care home or in peoples’ own homes (care at home), or out in the community. 
• Social workers: Social workers provide advice and emotional support to help people adjust to changes in their lives, caused by illness, age related problems, disability or bereavement. They may also work with people who suffer from mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and personality disorders.

Take a look at these two videos for more information.

Why choose a career in social care? Like healthcare, there are a range of benefits to working in social care, these include but are not limited to:

1. Strong sense of community: Social care roles are often located within close-knit teams.  Care homes often have a small and close-knit environment compared to larger health facilities. This can create a sense of camaraderie and community among staff, residents and their families, fostering a supportive work environment.
2. Building relationships with the individuals you support: Whether working in a care home or supporting someone in their own home, you'll have an opportunity to build meaningful and long-term relationships. This personal connection can be emotionally rewarding and fulfilling for both you and the people you support.
3. Making a positive difference to the people you support: there are a variety of social care roles, all of which make real and positive differences to people’s lives, whether it’s helping them to remain in their own homes, providing personal care, supporting physical and mental wellbeing, supporting care home residents to socialise and engage in a range of activities or ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
4. Minimal bureaucracy/more hands-on approach: Social care employers, particularly care homes, often have a flat organisational structure. This can lead to quick decision-making and more time spent working directly with people.
5. Varied roles and responsibilities: Working in social care offers a wide range of responsibilities, with opportunities to engage in various tasks, from direct caregiving to administrative duties. This variety keeps the job interesting and allows you to develop a diverse range of knowledge and skills.
6. Working patterns: Social care offers varying working patterns, ranging from sessional or part-time to full-time hours.  You are also likely to know quite far in advance what your shift pattern will be. Having consistent working hours can be beneficial for maintaining work-life balance and reducing fatigue.
7. Opportunities for career progression: No matter where you start a career in social care there are opportunities to grow, develop and progress. You should receive on-the-job induction, training and support to undertake relevant qualifications.

Congratulations! You have now gained employment in your chosen role in adult social care in Scotland. You may be wondering where this journey will lead to next.

The adult social care workforce in Scotland is growing, with recruitment being undertaken both from within Scotland and from other countries, using the Health and Care visa; as such, retention of the social care workforce is a high priority. It is therefore important that no matter what way staff were recruited, they can envisage a career path and future within this care sector.

The qualities needed to succeed in a career in adult social care are compassion, empathy, person-centredness, and an ability to help people who may be struggling with daily activities; it is also rewarding, as it creates an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people by empowering them to live independently, whilst learning new skills. Other ways to develop knowledge and skills within your role, are to read and understand quality standards about your role and maintaining best practices in delivering care, bringing validity and dignity to your profession.

Below is an outline of potential routes/career pathways for those considering a career in adult social care. It is important to note that this is a generic representation of some of the different roles found in adult social care and may apply differently from one care setting to another.  Settings can include but are not limited to working in a care home or supporting people within their own home. In addition, career development can cut across a wide range of specialisms within the adult social care sector, ranging from supporting people with learning disabilities, to providing care to older adults/elderly or live-in care. This helps you to develop personally, as well as build a wealth of experience to improve your potential within the Adult social care sector.

For more information on careers in Adult Social care and how to gain the qualifications you need to help you start and progress in your career in social care, please follow the link below.

• Career paths in adult social care | Care management and more | ASC (caretocare.scot)
• Introduction to a Career in Social Care - College Development Network (cdn.ac.uk)
• Ten steps to a career in care | Careers in care | 
• Careers toolkit | SSSC (careersincare.scot)
• 2017_a_career_in_social_services.pdf

When it comes to looking for a job in adult social care, there are a wide variety of positions available across different settings. It can be helpful to have an understanding of the different job titles, especially if you have personal experience or interest in a particular type of support. Two common entry-level positions to keep an eye out for are "support worker" and "care assistant".

You can find vacancies here:

• Social Care | myjobscotland
• S1 Jobs
• Indeed
• My world of work
• Good Moves
• DWP
• NHS Scotland
• Young Persons Guarantee  

Find out what those already at work in adult social care say about their career.  Read real care workers' stories | Adult Social Care (caretocare.scot)