Your options to get started in adult social care
There are so many different routes to starting a career in adult social care. With traineeships, apprenticeships, graduate schemes etc, it can be hard to know just where to start and what will be the best fit for you.
Skills for Care's "Social care: a rewarding career for you" is a fantastic resource to help you visualise your route into a career in adult social care, highlighting not only the ways into a career in care but also providing tips for success along the way with real-life stories from those who have started the journey.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a programme that trains a worker to become skilled in a particular trade. Apprenticeships provide hands-on work combined with classroom activities. They are classified as full-time jobs. Apprenticeships are paid by your employer or college, whilst you get paid a wage. You can start an apprenticeship even if you're over 21 and they are available at lots of different levels.
Find out more about apprenticeships.
National Careers Service
For support getting into work or learning, the Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy offers a range of free careers advice and courses.
Volunteering/work experience
If you're new to social care and want to find out if it's the right career for you, it might be useful to do some work experience or volunteering.
Your school, college or Jobcentre Plus might be able to help with this or you could contact organisations directly or look on the Do It website to find local volunteering opportunities.