Get started in social care
You don’t need previous experience to get started in social care. What matters most is that you have the values, beliefs and attitudes required for working in care – there’s full training and support for everything else.
There is also a lot of support available if you have been out of work for a while or are looking to move into social care from another sector. See below for more information.
What qualifications do I need?
All health and care workers need a few core skills, for example English and basic number skills. You need to be able to do everyday tasks like communicating, counting medication, making notes and using a computer
There are a range of qualifications, including certificates, diplomas and apprenticeships, offered by the two main colleges in Cornwall – Cornwall College and Truro and Penwith College – that you may wish to consider before looking for your first job. However, this is not essential as all social care employers will provide training when you start work.
Get started today! Visit our Job Search page to find your ideal role.
Building your confidence
Chaos Group
If you’re currently out of work and looking to start a rewarding career in social care, but you could do with a helping hand to build your confidence and learn new skills, support is available from the Positive People project. Download our flyer here
The Positive People team can offer you one-to-one support. For more information email positivepeople@chaosgroupcornwall.co.uk or call 01872 277600.
Dynamo Healthcare Training
Dynamo Healthcare Training (DHCT) support unemployed people in Cornwall to access employment and training opportunities in healthcare sector. There are various training opportunities to help prepare learners for the world of work as well as providing specific Healthcare training courses. Training can be delivered via face-to-face workshops or remotely at times to suit you via our e-skills platform, with 1-1 support from a course tutor over the phone and Microsoft Teams.
The course includes, but is not limited to:
- Self-awareness and Personal Resilience
- Self-esteem and confidence building
- Understand the role of the healthcare worker
- Effective communication
- Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disabilities
- Work skills (including CV building, Interview preparation, career planning)
- Money management and budgeting
After you have completed the training, and when you feel ready, a specialist tutor will support you to enter a role in the healthcare sector.
Once you have completed the training one of our tutors will work with you to find and apply for work in the healthcare sector. If you are interested, please email: support@dynamohealthcaretraining.co.uk or call 01736 753 933.
Healthworks
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust are working together to deliver a 3 day virtual programme which gives an insight into the many different opportunities available in health and care.
Further details can be found on their Introduction into Working in Health and Care leaflet.
If you are interested please email: cft.healthworksforcornwall@nhs.net or call 07909 997107
Cornwall Council also has a Healthworks team offering support to help people move into employment. Contact them on healthworks.cornwall@cornwall.gov.uk or call 07516 112471
Cornwall Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can be for new or existing employees of any age, and are a great way to enter a career in social care. They allow you to learn on the job from experienced workers while being paid. The Cornwall Apprenticeship site provides information on finding apprenticeships in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and lists the current vacancies.
