When choosing to work in a care home, there are several things to consider, such as the type of home, support structures on offer and whether it is a good fit with your out of work commitments. Within this blog, we will discuss the various elements to consider when choosing a care home to work in and how QS Care can help.
What Care Home is right for you?
It’s no secret that the healthcare arena is crying out for talent at the moment, so the good news is that there are plenty of vacancies available for those considering working in the arena. However, there are vast differences between care homes, and choosing the right one is no easy task. Consequently, it is essential to consider what type of care you would like to be involved with before you start applying for roles. Do you want to work in a care home that concentrates on a certain area of care such as dementia? Or would you like to work alongside children or young adolescents, for example?
Once you have decided on this aspect, there are other things to consider about the care home you are interested in. Do the shift patterns they offer fit with your commitments outside of work, for example? Whilst a specialist recruitment partner like the team at QS Care can help provide some of this information, it is important to establish this before you make the next move.
Support Structures and Cultural Fit
Another area that is important to consider is the support structure in place for the staff of the care home, as well as its culture. Whilst a recruiter, such as QS Care will be able to provide some of this information in the very first steps of the process, it is important to do your own research. It is certainly worth looking at the website of the care home to source additional information – from their careers page, for example, or blog – which will offer a glimpse into working there and the support they provide staff. It’s no secret that working in a care home can be a challenging, and often emotional environment, so ensuring that there is plenty of support for employees is important.
When looking to embark on, or develop a role within the healthcare industry, knowing the opportunities for career progression is a big factor when choosing what care home is right for you. In social care, there are lots of options. If you start out as a Care Assistant or Support Worker, for example, you could end up almost anywhere! Several reputable care providers offer fantastic support and training for employees looking to develop their skills.
So, these are the questions you should be asking when considering what care home is right for you:
How QS Care can help
Whilst choosing the right type of care home to work in is hugely important, so too is ensuring you are getting the most from your placement. And the QS team will be with you each step of the way. This starts right before you even start the job. The team here will ensure all of your relevant documentation is updated, including DBS checks, vaccine status and more. And every candidate is contacted by one of our Compliance Care Officers to ensure this information is available and updated. This is to guarantee peace of mind for both the home we are providing staff for and our candidates.
And the support we offer our candidates doesn’t stop once your role begins. You’ll receive a call once your shift is completed, to ensure everything went well, talk through any issues or simply be a listening ear.
There are currently over 100,000 open vacancies across the care sector, and there has never been a better time to build a career in a care home. However, choosing not only the right role for your circumstances but also the right home that fits your experience and life commitments is crucial. The team at QS Care is passionate about ensuring our candidates find the best roles and the residents within the homes we support receive the best care. If you’re looking for a role in a care home, or simply want to discuss the best options for you,
Contact us today!
