If you’re considering a role in the care sector, you may be wondering what sort of skills you’ll need to provide the best support possible.
While some formal qualifications can help, often the most important skills required for the care sector are the soft skills that can either be an innate part of your personality or developed by working in other jobs.
In this blog, we detail some of those skills and discuss how they will help you provide the best level of care.
1. Being a people person
We’ve all met those people who just have an instinctive way with people. They are easy to talk to, make you feel comfortable, and most importantly make you feel like they care.
Having this trait can be extremely helpful to working in care as you'll be interacting with a wide range of people, from service users and their family members, you your colleagues.
If you don’t necessarily consider yourself to be a people person, then don’t worry. If you have desire and passion to help others, then this quality will naturally come through.
This characteristic can also be honed through other sectors, such as retail, where customer service skills are key.
2. Adaptability
While work in a care institution generally follows a schedule, the ability to react to unexpected scenarios will serve you in good stead.
The care sector can present many challenges, and the ability to react quickly and efficiently will help you fulfil your responsibilities and keep your service users safe and happy.
3. Communication
Most jobs list good communication skills as a desirable skill, but in the care sector, it’s vital. When working in care, you are responsible for the wellbeing of vulnerable people, who may well suffer from a variety of health requirements.
Good communication is one of the primary ways you can ensure that service users get the support they need and remain healthy and safe.
4. Resilience
Working in the care sector can be an amazing experience, but it can also be demanding. The hours can be long and it can be intense, so having the passion, drive, and spirit to push through will help enormously.
On the other side of the coin, you’ll also forge relationships that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Meeting service users, learning their life stories and getting to know their families is incredibly rewarding, and will make the bad days worth it.
5. The ability to evolve
Having the above skills will help you in a career in care, and many of them are transferable from other jobs, however this list isn’t exhaustive. The ability to learn new skills and grow as a carer is essential, as the care sector is one that changes rapidly.
You will need to be open to attending regular training courses in order to meet government requirements and offer the best service possible, as well as taking proactive steps to keep growing your skill set.
Considering a career in the care sector?
The care sector is always looking for new people to join its ranks, and at Care First UK we have been providing specialist permanent recruitment solutions to candidates since 2015.
If you’re considering entering into a career in care, contact us today to find out how we can help you by calling 01202 854777 during the week, 07810 349555 or 07785 331104 in the evenings or weekends, or email us recruitment@carefirstuk.co.uk.
You can also fill in the contact form on our website.