SOUTHAMPTON students who may have potentially topped-up their grants by working in the currently beleaguered hospitality industry are being asked instead to work in care during the evenings and weekends (December 2021).
Charity domiciliary care provider SCA Care, which is part of the not-for-profit Social Care in Action (SCiA) group in Southampton, says it wants to attract more young people to the profession.
Ricky Rossiter, Director of Integrated Services, who started as a young carer and has progressed through to his current role, says: “We understand due to ongoing issues related to Omicron, people are staying away from bars, restaurants and cafés and that many businesses are struggling in the hospitality industry. This sector traditionally employs lots of young people and we’re keen to spread the word that if anyone needs a job to help pay their way through their degree, they should get in touch with us. We can offer the right candidates work immediately.
“We currently have several opportunities available for people to work at weekends and in the evenings, and this would be perfect for anyone who is studying full-time. In fact, we already have several students working for us, but we’d love to attract more young people to the industry too.”
According to a recent Skills for Care survey, only 10% of the adult social care workforce is under 25 and is often due to negative perceptions about working in social care.
Megan Ticehurst, aged 29, who works as a carer for SCA Care, said: “I feel a great sense of pride in my work as a carer and I find my role really fulfilling. It’s a great career option for people but is also perfect if you want to do something at evenings and weekends too.”
The social care sector is under increasing pressure from an ageing population and is looking to young people to fill recruitment gaps to help provide services to vulnerable people in the community.
SCA Care is able to look after all its current service users but is aware there is growing demand to help others in the city, so it is looking to recruit more people now to expand its provision in 2022.
Ricky adds: “We want to encourage young people who aren’t sure whether social care might be right for them to get in touch and find out whether they might be a good fit for a role providing care in the community with us.
“We offer flexible working, which is great for students who want to fit a job in around their studies. Our team delivers care to people in their own homes and while students may not be looking at this as a career option, those we already employ are finding it very rewarding and a great way to earn extra money while studying. The care we provide is very varied and it can be as simple as helping someone shave each morning to making sure they are taking their pills, having a chat with them and getting them a cup of tea.
“Careers in care are incredibly rewarding and we are working hard to tackle any negative perceptions about the industry’s suitability for young people, which are completely unfounded. We invite applicants aged 18 and above to get in touch about our roles to find out more about becoming a carer with us.”
SCA Care offers flexible working arrangements that would be suitable for students, wishing to work around their studies, or parents coming back into the workforce after paternity or maternity leave.
Ricky adds: “No experience is necessary to become a carer, as we cover all the costs of DBS checks and training for staff who remain with us after their probationary period and pay staff to attend training sessions. We offer new recruits an induction and on-boarding programme, as well as buddying-up with other experienced team members, and we train staff to an industry standard with all employees completing a Care Certificate.
“We also offer flexible working hours, both full and part-time, plus competitive wages, £10.50-£13.64 per hour plus paid travel time, and a generous holiday allocation, including giving an additional free day for a team member’s birthday. Further details of the current and evening roles we have are here: Support Worker – Southampton (Evenings & Weekends) – SCiA Group.
“Joining us as a carer is a great opportunity for people to achieve a recognised qualification and they’ll also be able to access a career pathway, if they wish, through from carer to management. Plus, you’ll be joining a charity, not some large money-making machine, we’re strictly not-for-profit and care is at the heart of what we do.”
For further details, please call SCA Care on 023 8036 6663 or visit Domiciliary Care – Social Care in Action Group (sciagroup.co.uk)
