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Careers helping people (disabled children etc)

mrjaywarren
Posts: 51 Forumite
Hi,
My partner has always wanted to work in a meaningful job where she can help the less fortunate, I imagine this is a dream for a lot of people but she has no formal qualification but is very keen to study however this would have to be part time in the evening as she is lot able to quit her current job (she needs to be able to live)
She and I have been looking into possible positions but we don't really know where to start, it's difficult because any caring or nursing positions require certain qualifications which can only be achieved by on the job training or volunteering (both possible if part time is allowed on weekend)
I was hoping someone here has or knows someone who knows about the options available?
I've suggested volunteering and networking to get a foot in the door....
Types of positions that she is interested in...
Occupation therapist
Caring for or supporting with the caring of disabled or learning difficulty children
Fundraising work
She's currently an administrator so perhaps that's an option but it would be behind the scenes...
My partner has always wanted to work in a meaningful job where she can help the less fortunate, I imagine this is a dream for a lot of people but she has no formal qualification but is very keen to study however this would have to be part time in the evening as she is lot able to quit her current job (she needs to be able to live)
She and I have been looking into possible positions but we don't really know where to start, it's difficult because any caring or nursing positions require certain qualifications which can only be achieved by on the job training or volunteering (both possible if part time is allowed on weekend)
I was hoping someone here has or knows someone who knows about the options available?
I've suggested volunteering and networking to get a foot in the door....
Types of positions that she is interested in...
Occupation therapist
Caring for or supporting with the caring of disabled or learning difficulty children
Fundraising work
She's currently an administrator so perhaps that's an option but it would be behind the scenes...
0
Comments
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I support adults with autism and I wouldn't do any other job it is incredibly rewarding but it is also a job that brings its challenges.
Before your partners does any voluntary work or job in the care sector she will have to have a disclosure and barring check formally know before as a CRB check an enhanced one is needed to work in care as you are working with a vunerable category, these are around £56 .
There are all different branches you have learning difficulties, domicilary this is supporting people with support in helping people manage in their own homes then such as nursing etc.There is also then the residential homes.
Your partner could perhaps see if they are any groups locally such as day centres that she could go and see how care works and whether she would enjoy it as a job.
You will never become rich in the care profession but if if you enjoy seeing people achieve new goals and having a fulfilling life as possible then it is a reward in itself.
There are good employers out there and not so good always read a companys CQC report and do bit of research before you apply that is a good pointer in how how they treat staff and service user and residents.Most homes and care agencies dont ask for experience they will train you, always see how good the training is.Learning difficulties will train you also but some will ask for previous experience if behaviours are more challenging.
Hope this has helped a bit.
Will speak my mind because that"s how i am0 -
I manage services for children with additional needs and life limiting conditions across the age range.
Firstly you don't often have to have a CRB (now known as a DBS check) in advance, many voluntary and paid roles provide this. Sometimes with agency work you may be asked to provide one up front, but it's not necessary to do agency work to get a foot in the door in my opinion. You will however need a DBS check prior to any work paid or voluntary to come through clear.
Nursing positions clearly require a nursing degree, however Health Care Assistants don't. For example within the overarching service i'm part of we train HCAs, enabling them to be trained & competent in the core competencies required for the role to provide care within client homes. HCA posts where I am tend to be NHS Band 3 posts, so you'd still be earning whilst learning. HCAs also work in places like respite units, some are geared more towards children with learning difficulties, and others towards more medical care.
In my view, the experience is more important that the qualification, alongside the ability to reflect on experiences to date and any transferable skills.
You may want to consider enabling or support worker roles - these often involve weekend & evening work, as the children are often in education during the day. These tend to vary between band 1 & band 3 pay scales. You often don't needs lots of prior experience as training is provided. Similarly there's things like activity schemes for children with additional needs, both charity and local authority run services which look for staff and volunteers.
There's also roles like sensory impairment worker posts for children with dual deaf/blind needs, where I am, the service trains staff in BSL & Braille, so prior qualifications are not a barrier.
In terms of Occupational Therapy - you need an OT degree to practice as one. However, the NHS jobs website often advertises for OT assistants, who work under the guidance of a qualified OT.
You may want to explore local charities in your area that run children's services if voluntary work is the way you want to go.
Regularly check the NHS jobs website, and your local authority job vacancies bulletin, as this is often where jobs are advertised.0
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