What Makes a Good Care Worker
It is a career in which you can develop and where you can feel good every day, knowing you are helping other people live their lives more independently.
We asked our Care and Support Workers in Norfolk to tell us what motivates them and why they enjoy working in Social Care. Read their stories, watch our videos and find your future in care.
Stories
You look out for others every day in so many different ways. Do what comes naturally.
Stories
Eppie is a Trainee Nurse Associate working within a care home setting. She goes to Uni on a Monday and works in a care home the rest of the week. She finds working in a care setting so fulfilling that she plans to carry on working in care once she qualifies as a Registered Nurse. There are so many routes into care, hear Eppie’s story.
Trainee Nurse Associate
Stories
Ivan used to be a postman. An incident at Carrow Road made him rethink and decided that a career in care could be right up his street. Over the years he’s had various jobs in care, completed numerous qualifications and progressed his career before settling into a part-time role in reablement support. He works part-time hours helping peoples to recuperate after illnesses, and has split shifts some days, morning or evening shifts other days which means he has more time for his hobbies and spending time with his partner.
Reablement Support Worker
Stories
Claire has brought a brilliant range of transferrable skills to her work as an Adult Support Worker, from working in retail and hospitality to working at the football ground. Switching careers completely to go into care was a bit daunting at first, with the knowledge that she had no qualifications or experience, but the support she’s been given and the courses she’s done have convinced Claire feels she’s found the career for her with ultimate job satisfaction Claire’s role includes arranging all sorts of activities during the day as well as taking the adults they support out into the community for evenings out, from bowling to dancing. Every job in care is different.
Adult Support Worker- The Hamlet Charity
Stories
Meet Tim, a Senior Recovery Worker who works out in the community with people who lead chaotic lives and who may have drug or alcohol issues. He and his team work really flexibly, visiting clients in their homes, or meeting them in locations such a cafés or outside where they feel more comfortable. The team build up relationships with their clients so that they can help them quickly if things happen, liaising with lots of other teams and professions, especially in crisis situations, to get their clients the help they need.
Senior Recovery Worker
Stories
Meet Darren, a Supported Living Worker. Adult Social Care workers at supported living sites work with adults to enable them to do things that others take for granted. Everyday tasks like cooking, making a cup of tea, doing the shopping are a real challenge to some people, and they need a helping hand in an environment where they feel comfortable. Darren started working in care at the age of 50, having worked in retail for much of his career. Since joining he’s enjoyed superb support in gaining his qualification and has really made a difference to the lives of lots of adults.
Supported Living Worker
Stories
Natalie is a Care Support Worker. She works in people’s homes, doing a range of things to help older people remain independent including hairdressing as well as helping with hobbies such as cross stitch and piano playing.
Care Support Worker
Stories
Gary worked in a factory all his life. He didn’t really understand it when people said they loved their jobs. All that changed when he became a support worker. Before he started, he wondered if he could help change people’s lives for the better, and now he knows he can AND he gets great job satisfaction. He’s also getting loads of qualifications. He takes his customers out and about, to the cinema, to cafes, to health appointments, and working with Liam, he’s helped him to learn how to budget and get ready to be more independent when he moves into his own flat.
Support Worker
Stories
I’ve been working in care for 6 months after a number of jobs where I didn’t feel motivated. I enjoy coming up with ideas to improve lives and encouraging independence. No two days are the same; I could be supporting people with daily tasks, and another day keeping them company to ensure they are safe in what they do. I was told at the start it would take time for the people I support to trust me. A few months in and I’m already building a rapport – it’s a great feeling and very rewarding
Natalie Support Worker (Learning Disabilities)
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Dave is an Outreach Support Worker supporting clients with learning disabilities to lead an independent live as possible. He talks about how he makes a difference to people’s lives and how it makes him feel.
Stories
I was inspired to be a carer after seeing the difference it made to my dad’s life. I enjoy the relationships I have built with service users and I feel a sense of achievement when they’re happy and smiling. It may have only been 2 years since I joined, but I have never looked back
Julie Care Worker (Home Care)
Stories
I’ve only been working in care for 4 months after a career as an NHS Manager. I work with residents in their homes and in the community, driving them around and partaking in activities. I really enjoy the interaction and building a connection with those I support
Kevin Support Worker (Learning Disabilities)
Stories
I was looking for a complete career change having worked in a secretarial role for a number of years. I now have a job where every day is different, looking after people in their own homes and enabling them to stay at home. It’s rewarding and I’m proud to support and encourage independence wherever possible
Jackie Home Care Worker
Stories
I’ve been a carer for 6 years. The flexible hours mean I can raise my daughter and have a career. Every day brings a new challenge and my proudest achievement is knowing I’ve helped people with dementia stay at home. I want to stay in the sector and working towards a senior role with lots of support and training provided to help me get there
Lauren Care Worker (Home Care)
Stories
I have been working in care for just over a year. My working day is challenging and interesting, not only do I support people with their emotional needs, but also help them to cook and manage their money – you could say I’m a Chef, Accountant and a Care Worker. What makes me proud is being able to enrich the lives of others, to empower them to do the best they can in their day to day lives
Beth Support Worker (Learning Disabilities)
Stories
I’ve always been interested in a job where I can make a difference to people’s lives. What I enjoy most about my job is seeing people thrive and improve, how they feel proud of themselves when they achieve a task, the smile on their face and knowing that you’ve supported them to make it happen
Candice Support Worker (Learning Disabilities)
Stories
I’ve only been working in the care sector for a year coming from a retail background. My reason for changing careers was wanting to help others. I enjoy meeting new people, building good relationships with service users and learning new skills daily
Sammy Home Care Worker
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I’ve worked in care for over 20 years, having come from a completely different career within Civil Engineering. I’ve never looked back and proud to be part of improving people’s lives. It’s a demanding role at times, but the challenge is worth the reward of seeing the difference you make to the lives of others
Paul Support Worker (Learning Disabilities)
Stories
I’ve been a Care Worker for 22 years and still enjoy seeing the difference I make to service users. It might only be a smile, but it means a lot to me and I’m proud that I’ve helped them remain in their own homes
Chris Care Worker (Home Care)
Stories
What motivates people to work in social care is different for everyone. John works with dementia patients, he finds his role rewarding, gaining knowledge from the residents he supports.
