Today is a case in point about why people should think about going into care

by Oonagh Smyth, CEO, Skills for Care

Today I presented Care Home Dignity Award at Staffordshire’s Dignity in Care Awards, as part of their #CelebratingSocialCare celebrations. It was wonderful. Skills for Care is focused on supporting a well-led, skilled and valued adult social care workforce – and today’s event held by the county council with the support of Staffordshire University and Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, was all about this.

If anyone has been considering a career in social care, but hasn’t quite moved on it, today’s event would no doubt have inspired them. Carers from all walks of life were celebrated in eight categories ranging from the Newcomer to Care – awarded to a lady that flew through the ranks and challenges the status quo -, to the Care Home/Team Dignity Award which I was delighted to present, to the Community Award honouring an events manager who is connecting the community back together ‘one event at a time’ after the pandemic. And then there was the wonderful Louise Molineux who works in care in Cannock, and is now the proud owner of a very special accolade - the Special Recognition Dignity Award. She started working in care when she was 18, and 30 years later she still loves it, she’s still innovating and making things better for the people she cares for, who are right at the heart of everything she does.  Congratulations to absolutely everyone who received an award today. It was an honour to be part of the celebrations.

The awards highlight that anyone of any background can work in social care, so long as they have the right skills and values. It also highlighted that there are development opportunities for people working in social care at whatever stage or position you’re in and that it really is one of the few professions that you can make a difference every single day.

With over a 100 nominations for these awards, this celebration has been a real success and long may that continue through our joint efforts. Together we’re making sure that we’re celebrating social care workers not just once a year, but year round, to showcase the fantastic work that they do to support our communities. We’re showcasing that care workers are professionals, they are a valued part of our community, and the work they do is essential to each and every one of us.

 Social care is an exciting and rewarding career for anyone that has caring in their heart. You can go wherever your aspiration takes you in care. Let’s shout this loud and clear!

Opportunities, training, jobs and more information is available all in one place at the Staffordshire Jobs and Careers website, and remember to also use their employment brokers if you need any support!