Learners

Learners

Step into Care

Step into Care is an online adult social care recruitment programme, and the ultimate goal is to recruit talented and compassionate key workers in Greater Manchester.

Adult social care describes all forms of personal care and other practical assistance for adults who need extra support. You could be assisting adults who live in residential care homes, nursing homes, or supporting their living at home.

It’s demanding work, but also very rewarding. You’ll be helping people to maintain their dignity and improving their quality of life every day. The most important thing is not your age, nor your background, but your values, behaviours and attitudes. Those things are what make a successful adult social care worker.

What are the benefits?

Training

Training

Step into Care is a six-week programme, which will give you the initial skills you need to pursue a career in social care.

Skills and qualifications

Skills and qualifications

You will gain employability skills and have the opportunity to gain qualifications, such as Level 1 awards in Mental Health and Stress Awareness, and a Level 2 Award in The Introduction to Health and Social Care.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities

Upon completing the six-week training programme and voluntary placement, you may be offered a temporary or permanent paid position!

Personal achievement

Personal achievement

Adult social care is an extremely rewarding job. Through Step into Care, you can make a tangible positive impact on people's lives.

How to Apply

Register Your Interest

Take the first step by expressing your interest to WEA (adult training provider) via the contact form on their website. You can also attend our Virtual Open Day, where you will be provided with all the details you need regarding online training and placement opportunities.

Contact WEA

Application

If care work sounds right for you, you can then complete a short values-based application form and attend an informal Zoom interview with the Greater Manchester Employability Project Manager, Sue Wright, who is keen to find out more about your career aspirations to work in care.

Placement

Following a successful interview and completion of the training programme, a placement will be secured for you, which will potentially lead to a permanent position within the organisation.

Care Responsibilities

With 24-hour care being needed for the people you support, you will be expected to work a varied number of shifts, including some weekends. In some cases shifts can be 12 hours long, and you could be working early, late, or night shifts. Please consider any childcare or family responsibilities when applying, as the hours can be unsociable, but the rewarding work makes up for it!

To find out more about what's expected of you during the programme and once you secure employment, read through our Step into Care programme overview in the Applications tab of our Plan Your Career page.

Head to Applications

The Step into Care Quiz.

Are you a compassionate person with the right core values to work in care? If your answer is yes, this quiz could be the first step to achieving your dream career.

Question 01

Is a career in care a long-term opportunity?

Incorrect!

Correct!

No! A career in social care not only offers long term employment prospects with the opportunity for promotion & progress, adult social care is one of the few sectors where jobs are increasing. There are an estimated 1.49 million people working in social care. By 2035 over 580,000 jobs will need to be filled.

Yes! A career in social care not only offers long term employment prospects with the opportunity for promotion & progress, adult social care is one of the few sectors where jobs are increasing. There are an estimated 1.49 million people working in social care. By 2035 over 580,000 jobs will need to be filled.

Tip

Take a look at this guide for the many routes into a social care career.

Take a look at this guide for the many routes into a social care career.

Question 02

Can anyone work in care?

Incorrect!

Correct!

No! We’re looking for people who share our values and possess some basic skills, such as clear verbal and written communication. Some basic numeracy skills are also important.

No! We’re looking for people who share our values and possess some basic skills, such as clear verbal and written communication. Some basic numeracy skills are also important.

Tip

Check out this handy list of values on Skills for Care and see if you can add your own.

Check out this handy list of values on Skills for Care and see if you can add your own.

Question 03

Is working in social care a worthwhile career?

Incorrect!

Correct!

Yes! Social care is about helping people with their lives and supporting them to maintain their independence, dignity and control. Working in care enables you to gain an enormous sense of personal achievement - the job you do really makes a difference to people’s lives.

Yes! Social care is about helping people with their lives and supporting them to maintain their independence, dignity and control. Working in care enables you to gain an enormous sense of personal achievement - the job you do really makes a difference to people’s lives.

Tip

Take a look at what people are saying about their careers in adult social care!

Take a look at what people are saying about their careers in adult social care!

Question 04

Is working in care just for women?

Incorrect!

Correct!

No! It is true that currently there are more women working in care, with around 18% of the workforce being male. There are also generally more men working in supported living and day care settings, but we recruit based on values, not whether you’re a woman or not!

No! It is true that currently there are more women working in care, with around 18% of the workforce being male. There are also generally more men working in supported living and day care settings, but we recruit based on values, not whether you’re a woman or not!

Tip

Many male carers love their role! Meet Luke, who will tell you why in his own words.

Many male carers love their role! Meet Luke, who will tell you why in his own words.

Question 05

Is working in social care all about working in a residential home for elderly people?

Incorrect!

Correct!

No! There are many paths you can choose. Other clients include those with physical or learning disabilities, people with mental health needs, and those with drug and alcohol dependencies. Social care is also delivered in a range of settings, such as day centres, residential homes, or the client’s home.

No! There are many paths you can choose. Other clients include those with physical or learning disabilities, people with mental health needs, and those with drug and alcohol dependencies. Social care is also delivered in a range of settings, such as day centres, residential homes, or the client’s home.

Tip

Decide what area of the social care sector you really want to work in by researching what’s available here.

Decide what area of the social care sector you really want to work in by researching what’s available here.

Question 06

Is the pay in care poor with no progression?

Incorrect!

Correct!

No! Many front line and entry level care jobs pay the national living wage. On top of that you can gain qualifications, and your salary will increase as you progress. There are always plenty of hours available in care and employers can usually accommodate both full and part time workers.

No! Many front line and entry level care jobs pay the national living wage. On top of that you can gain qualifications, and your salary will increase as you progress. There are always plenty of hours available in care and employers can usually accommodate both full and part time workers.

Tip

If you work evening and weekend shifts, your pay will often be enhanced!

If you work evening and weekend shifts, your pay will often be enhanced!

Question 07

Can I work in the care sector if I have a criminal record?

Incorrect!

Correct!

Yes! It does depend on the conviction and when it happened. It’s not a blanket ban though, nor should it be.

Yes! It does depend on the conviction and when it happened. It’s not a blanket ban though, nor should it be.

Tip

It’s important to know what employers take into account when recruiting. Find further support and advice on Nacro.

It’s important to know what employers take into account when recruiting. Find further support and advice on Nacro.

Question 08

Do you need qualifications to work in social care?

Incorrect!

Correct!

No! In most roles, particularly at entry level, you don’t need formal qualifications. You will receive training and complete qualifications on the job. The most important things you can possess to work in care are the right life skills, attitude and personal values that you hold most dear.

No! In most roles, particularly at entry level, you don’t need formal qualifications. You will receive training and complete qualifications on the job. The most important things you can possess to work in care are the right life skills, attitude and personal values that you hold most dear.

Tip

Many employers offer you the opportunity to gain qualifications in the workplace!

Many employers offer you the opportunity to gain qualifications in the workplace!

Question 09

Are there many progression opportunities in social care?

Incorrect!

Correct!

Yes! Social care is always changing to meet the needs of our aging population and their complex needs. One way we’re evolving our care is by creating lots of new and exciting roles. There are also many opportunities to move up into a job with more responsibility, where you’ll learn new skills and gain further knowledge and qualifications.

Yes! Social care is always changing to meet the needs of our aging population and their complex needs. One way we’re evolving our care is by creating lots of new and exciting roles. There are also many opportunities to move up into a job with more responsibility, where you’ll learn new skills and gain further knowledge and qualifications.

Tip

Many people in senior Social Care positions started out in entry-level roles and have since worked their way up.

Many people in senior Social Care positions started out in entry-level roles and have since worked their way up.

Question 10

So, is a career in social care fulfilling?

Incorrect!

Correct!

Yes, absolutely! 96% of carers have said that they feel their work makes a real difference. Looking after other people is one of the most rewarding careers a person can choose.

Yes, absolutely! 96% of carers have said that they feel their work makes a real difference. Looking after other people is one of the most rewarding careers a person can choose.

Tip

Don’t just take our word for it, enrol onto the Step into Care programme today!

Don’t just take our word for it, enrol onto the Step into Care programme today!


Please answer all of the questions