International recruitment into adult social care

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

The most common jobs you can apply for are Care Worker or Home Care Worker.  Care Workers and Home Care Workers attend to the personal needs and comforts of people (elderly and the infirm with care and support needs) within residential care establishments, day care establishments or in the person’s 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 environment for you to work in.

• 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 still 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.

Within adult social care settings, there are different types of roles.  Two roles you will hear about a lot are distinguished below, to help you understand what role is best for you.

•  Adult 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.

There is also a very big difference between being a social care worker and being a social worker. The social worker differs from the adult social care workers as the social worker requires extensive training and qualifications to support vulnerable adults and working with different client groups. Take a look at these two videos for more information:

You can also find more information on the different types of adult social care roles by following the links below:

• Scottish Government - Starting a career in social care
• SSSC Careers and Education - Scottish Social Services Council (sssc.uk.com)
• Skills for Care – Care Worker
• National Careers Service – Care Worker  
• Helping Hands Homecare – Personal Care
• NHS Lanarkshire – Activities of Daily Living

Why choose a career in adult social care? Like healthcare, there are a range of benefits to working in adult social care, these include: 

1. Strong sense of community: Adult 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. These personal connections 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 adult 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: Adult 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 adult 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: Adult 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 adult social care there are opportunities to grow, develop and progress. You should receive on-the-job induction, training and support to undertake relevant qualifications. 

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