Busting 5 Myths About Care and Support Jobs

When you picture care and support work, it can bring a specific image to mind. Ideas from the past, stereotypes and simplified depictions in the media can create confusion over what these jobs are really like. Regardless of how these myths came about, it’s time to set the record straight. 

We’re tackling five of the most common myths about the care and support sector. They cover what the work involves, who’s suitable for the roles and what makes it appealing. Care and support work is vital to our society, which means we definitely don’t need any misconceptions causing barriers and putting people off working in the sector.

Myth #1 - Care & Support Work Isn’t For Men

For one reason or another, many people picture women when they think of care and support workers. In fact, it’s by no means a career that’s exclusive to women. Care and support environments with diverse workforces are better thanks to the different skills and attributes that people bring.

Care work is rewarding and varied, which means men and women can find roles that suit their skills and strengths. It’s true that, in some cases, the gender of a care and support worker can play a role in meeting an individual’s needs. However, there’s plenty of room, tasks and roles for men and women.    

Myth #2 - Care and Support Work Can’t Be Flexible

There’s a myth that care work is demanding, leaves little personal time and has rigid hours. These misconceptions simplify care and support work. It’s actually much more varied. While it requires empathy and patience, which some may view as demanding, it also involves daily tasks that involve having fun.

As for the time restrictions, care and support work can be flexible. You can find full-time and part-time contracts and positions as bank staff - flexible workers who provide short-term care. These different types of working schedules allow you to find jobs that can fit around your other commitments.

Myth #3 - Tasks Revolve Around Personal Care

Another misconception is the nature of care and support work. We’re busting the myth that it’s all about personal care. While helping someone to bathe and dress is a common and important duty in some roles, there’s so much more to the work. Your day can also involve practical and creative tasks, such as helping with gardening or meal preparation.

Companionship is a key part of care and support work. It means that chatting, getting to know people, and supporting someone attending social events can be part of your job. The roles can also involve supporting someone with their hobbies. Your day could include swimming, playing games or a trip to a museum.

Myth #4 - You Need Experience in Care to Work in the Sector

One of the biggest barriers to people pursuing a role in the care and support sector is the idea that you need direct experience. You don’t! If you haven’t worked in the sector and you don’t have qualifications, you can get a care and support job. Many employers provide training on the job, allowing you to grow in the role.

As for experience, these jobs require several attributes. Some come down to your character and can be developed in your personal life, such as providing support to a family member, friend or neighbour. Transferable skills, such as communication, resilience and time management, are also key to your success.

Myth #5 - Care and Support Work Doesn’t Offer a Career

It’s common for people to think of care assistants and care workers when picturing the sector. However, there are many other roles at different levels. It’s not a static career where you remain at one level with no chance of progression. In fact, there are several satisfying paths to follow. Some might choose to move into nursing, and others move up to take on more responsibilities. You may decide to specialise in areas such as dementia or learning disabilities.

Roles on the care and support career path could include care supervisor, care coordinator and registered manager. They draw on your planning, creative thinking, leadership and administrative skills. With greater responsibilities comes an improved salary and more opportunities to develop. And just like other sectors, care has all the same support departments such as HR, marketing, finance and sales.

There’s So Much More to Care and Support Work

We’ve busted myths about who can work in the sector, whether it’s flexible and the career benefits it brings. We’ve also looked at what kinds of tasks are involved. The truth is that the roles are multifaceted and require people from different backgrounds to bring their skills and characteristics.

The work isn’t limited to one kind of setting, and most importantly, it involves people, which means no role, workplace or even day is the same. What remains true is that it’s a satisfying and fun career that gives you the opportunity to effect positive change in your community.

What will your role in care and support bring? Check out the latest vacancies today.