What it takes to work in adult social care

woman pushing another elderly woman in a wheelchair on an orange background

Social care is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career enabling you to change lives every day!

Working in Adult Social Care you will play a key part in keeping the health and social care system going. You’ll be supporting those who really need it to live their lives with dignity and respect. It’s truly one of the most rewarding careers you can choose.

By choosing a career in Adult Social Care you’ll benefit from flexibility, where no two days are ever the same.

There are also long-term employment opportunities for promotion and progression, as well as job security.

Previous experience isn’t always necessary (depending on your chosen career pathway).

What matters most is your values and qualities such as:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • a desire to help and support people
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and a calm manner in stressful or pressurised situations
  • openness to learning new skills
  • a keen attention to detail
  • good verbal communication skills
  • basic digital skills to be able to carry out simple tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Depending on what career you choose, being physically fit can be helpful as you may need to support people by lifting or moving them.

A driving licence is also a bonus if you’re potentially going to be working shifts outside of public transport hours.

You’ll also need to pass enhanced background checks. However, we will fund a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check for you and in the interim of this being complete, we will complete an Adults First check which may allow you to start work sooner.

If you have convictions, cautions, or reprimands this doesn’t always mean you can’t have a career in adult social care, it will depend on its relevance to the role.

Help us improve wakefield.gov.uk

Select how useful the page is
Back to top