We bust five myths about working in social care!

If you’re considering a career in health and social care, there are probably a lot of stories you’ve been told about the profession, but not all of them are true. Today, we’re going to bust five myths about working in social care so you know what it’s really like.

Myth 1: Social care is a low-skill job.

Social care workers aren’t unskilled labour. You need high levels of communication, problem-solving, empathy and comfort in challenging situations. Plus, many roles expect you to maintain ongoing professional development and take on additional training and qualifications. This lets you grow as a care worker and evolve with the demands of an ever-changing role. And with 150,000 vacancies in this space, salaries are expected to become even more competitive, making this the right time to get into care work.

Myth 2: There’s no career progression in social care work.

When you become a carer, it’s probably because you want to make a difference. However, you don’t have to do it any one way. There are a tonne of progression opportunities beyond in-home care. You might become a supervisor or manager. Alternatively, you could train in additional skills like mental health support that allow you to go into specialist roles. Plus, there are many settings where care is needed. You could progress into end-of-life care, dementia care or community support roles easily with your degree from Bolton.

Myth 3: Salaries for social care are low.

While unions are striving to bring the base pay rate up even more, there have been increases recently. According to Talent, “The average social care salary in the United Kingdom is £30,852 per year or £15.82 per hour. [Entry-level positions] start at £24,587 per year while most experienced workers make up to £53,490 per year.” But if you have a specialist degree, you might be able to earn even more at the start.

Myth 4: Social care is thankless and depressing.

While social care is challenging, it can be incredibly rewarding. You form tight bonds with the people you support as you’re changing their lives for the better. Unlike many roles in the healthcare space, you get to see the day-to-day impact that your care has on their quality of life. That's immensely satisfying. And you’ll have the opportunity to meet a lot of people; some living with severe disabilities, and their stories of achievement can be very uplifting. You’ll also be encouraged and supported to look after your own mental health while at work.

Myth 5: It’s all about personal care.

Sure, there are some hygiene and daily living tasks you’ll need to support with but that’s not all that’s involved. You’ll also provide for them emotionally, advocate for their rights, get them out and about in the community and look after their mental health. You might be dealing with unique situations like deprivation, addiction or learning disabilities that require additional care and attention. So, it’s certainly a field with a lot of variety.

If you’re thinking social care is the right path, talk to us at 01204 952 747 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk and we’ll help you pick the right course. Come experience #UniAsItShouldBe at Bolton where we are proud to put our students and their needs first.