Recruitment drive for more Lincolnshire people to step into the caring sector

Supporting the Government’s ‘Care for Others: Make a Difference’ campaign, the organisation, which represents the county’s care homes and home care providers, is showcasing just how fulfilling working in adult social care can be.

To demonstrate the joy that caring for older and vulnerable people can bring, for the past year LinCA has been sharing the stories of care providers and their teams from across the county. From Christmas competitions to Remembrance Day celebrations, LinCA has been collecting examples of care workers going above and beyond for their service users on its blog and social media channels.

These stories aim to celebrate Lincolnshire’s care workers, while highlighting the many rewarding opportunities available in both homecare and care homes.

In their most recent blog post, the association charted the progress of three finalists from last year’s Rising Star Awards ceremony. The awards, which celebrate promising care workers from organisations across Lincolnshire, show that the sky’s the limit when it comes to advancing your social care career.

One example is Jack Graham, who has since gone from a Senior Care Assistant role to a management position with Knights Care.

When asked what he would say to others considering a career in care, Jack responded: “It’s a highly demanding job, both physically and mentally.

“But when you start forging connections with the people you care for, it’s the best job in the world. I feel blessed that I get to do this as a career.”

LinCA has also been helping to match those interested in becoming carers with exciting career opportunities in their area via their CareinLincs website. Launched in February 2020, the website not only displays vacancies across Lincolnshire, but breaks down the different types of care and the varied roles and progression routes available – from nursing, to domiciliary care, residential care and rehabilitation.

Melanie Weatherley, chairman of LinCA, said: “There’s this reputation that adult social care is unskilled work, with low pay and poor working conditions.

“But for compassionate and committed people, working in care allows them to make a real difference to the lives of others while developing their skills and career.

“From apprenticeships to qualifications of different levels, the learning opportunities in social care are continuous, as are the opportunities to make someone’s life better.

“The roles available are also incredibly varied – from homecare assistant to activities coordinator to care home manager – meaning there is a pathway to suit anyone with the desire to help others.

“In the ongoing fight against COVID-19, we need kind-hearted people more than ever to join our sector, with providers across Lincolnshire looking to hire thoughtful and hardworking individuals just like you.”

Coun Patricia Bradwell, the county council’s Executive Councillor for Adult Care, said: “If you’re missing being around people, then becoming a care worker is your chance to spend time with others in your community to make a real difference for people who need the support, while doing your bit in the fight against Covid-19.

“There’s a variety of caring roles, supporting working age adults, people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health needs and caring for older adults 65 years and over – jobs are across a number of different settings.”

Find out more about what is required, the roles available, entry requirements and how you might suit a particular role through the CareinLincs website https://www.careinlincs.co.uk/

For more information on the Lincolnshire Care Association, visit: https://www.linca.org.uk/