Adult Social Care

penelopedee_2

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help.

I have been made redundant and want to retrain in adult social and health care. I am currently out of work and trying to find a cheap or free version of the Preparing for Work In Adult Social Care course level 1 or 2 - to get me started. I have limited income coming in and the only free distant learning ones I can find are for under 19's or people without A levels/NVQ 3 (which I already have in admin).

Has anyone any advice on this or know where I can apply (I would be classed as mature now so can't squeeze into the under 19's bracket )

Or does anyone have a better idea - I'm currently stuck at home looking for any sort of work to bring a bit extra income in, so now is the ideal time for me to be doing a distance course and unfortunately our local college doesn't do it. I am genuinely interested in working in this area with a view to studying dementia care at a later date.

Any advice would be appreciated. I need some inspiration please.

Many thanks, Pen.

LL30

Have you thought about volunteering at a day centre for the elderly? Many have day care rooms for older people with additional needs, and I've known them help put people through their NVQs if they're good volunteers. I appreciate it's not a sure thing, but even if that angle didn't work out, the experience would do you good xx

Racheldevon

Many of the support worker type roles don't necessarily require you to have the qualification prior to starting. Even if you didn't work in a similiar field before you probably have transferable skills that you can draw on in any applications/interview. Many places will provide you with appropriate NVQ/Diploma level qualifications to work towards as part of your vocational training.
I'd make sure you sign up to your local authority job vacancy email publication/search their website regularly. Also consider any local Health Care/Support work agencies and any local charities etc which may give you a foot in the door

penelopedee_2

Thanks Rachel and LL30, I'm going to contact the local homes and see if they want some help. I think I am loosing confidence with it all and just need a bit of a prod in the right direction.

Help much appreciated, Pen x

Dunroamin

You'll be bored stiff studying at level 1 and 2. Have a look at courses offered by the Open University.

http://www.open.ac.uk/health-and-social-care/main/study-us/adult-health-and-social-care

loulou123

I work with dementia patients and had no formal qualifications when I began (incase was a legal secretary before this!) I did have practical experiance in dealing with dementia - I cared for my nan whilst she had it.

My care home put me on the health and social care diploma at level 2 (as although I have alevels etc, I didn't have any qualifications in care) this was mind numblingly boring and I asked to be started on level 3 instead. I've just got my level 3 folder and my company is paying for it all.

Care homes in my area are crying out for good staff, and I expect this is the same in other areas, so why not apply to some, as then you could earn whilst learning.

Sorry if you have experiance in this area - as you will already know all this, but in case you don't... working with dementia patients is not for the faint hearted - they can be very unpredictable, aggressive at times and the amount of poo you deal with in a day can be staggering! But its so worthwhile at the same time.

Racheldevon

There's also a huge range of other adult care options - brain injury, mental health, homelessness, alcohol/substance misuse etc - check out care agencies as these may provide you with more variety in the placements/roles you undertake and may give you a wider range of experience in different areas whilst you decide what type of adult care /support work you want to focus on

elsien

And watch out for the domiciliary agencies where you have to whizz between places and pay your own petrol. Some of them really take the P.
If you know the field you want to work in, look at the companies websites as well as contacting individual homes. (Anyone phoning me for a job has to go through HR anyway.) It'll give you more idea of the ethos of the company and whether you want to work for them. Some of the dodgy private places I wouldn't touch with a bargepole.
(And don't forget learning disabilities, in addition to Racheldevon's list).
We don't look for qualifications because we can train you to do what you need to, we're more interested in attitudes and values. I'm sure lots of other places are the same.

penelopedee_2

Thanks all, much appreciated

[Deleted User]

A little late to this thread, but you might want to consider The Open University's 'K101 - An introduction to Health and Social Care'. I did it a couple of years ago and it was interesting and challenging. You end up with a Certificate in Health and Social Care which is useful in the field and allows you to move onto further education (if that is what you want). I used in to apply for Uni and am doing a Social Work degree now.
You can look on the OU's website and see if you qualify for financial support too, I had my course fee's paid (and was a mature student like yourself).

sapphireeye

I'm working as an Assistant Social Worker and though I do have relevant experience you don't have to have particular experience for an entry level role. If you want to work as a Care Assistant then I'd highly recommend getting a job working for the council rather than a private company, I worked for a private company and now I'm in an Assistant Social Worker role for the council I can see how much better their staff have it than I did!

Local authority and council websites are the way to go to find entry level positions and once you have experience there's plenty of opportunity to move around and lots of training opportunities. I'd definitely advise trying to find a job and taking training opportunities from there.

When I was looking for a job I kept reading about how there were no jobs available but the council I work for has been on a real recruitment drive recently so I don't think that's the case!