Other Areas

In addition to the fields of work identified in the main sections of this website, there are a number of other areas which could offer employment possibilities. Some of these are outlined below.

Children and Young People

Staff in Children's Services work with schools and the health service, to offer the best services for the welfare of children and young people.

There are a variety of roles involved in promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people up to 17 years old, living in the Medway area, who are in need.

Determining who is in need, what those needs are and planning effective services to meet the child's needs, requires professional assessment and judgement by Children's Services staff, together with other professionals who are working with the child and their family.

Children and families referred to or seeking help from Children's Services will have differing levels of need. Many will be helped by advice, practical services or short-term interventions.

Housing and Supporting People

The aim of Supporting People is to deliver effective housing related support to people who need it in order to help maintain their tenancy and increase their independence.

Staff work with a variety of vulnerable groups to help people to live independently in their accommodation.

Support includes a variety of types of assistance such as:

• managing debts, budgeting and applying for benefits;
• gaining access to other services and organisations that can provide support and help;
• learning life and social skills;
• finding out about work or college;
• keeping an eye on personal wellbeing;
• alarm systems to enable people to call for help in an emergency;
• dealing with other professionals, family and neighbours and advocating on behalf of people.

Visit the links page for organisations involved in housing and supporting people.

Professional Roles

Social care involves a number of roles for which professional qualifications are required including social work, occupational therapy, nursing, management etc.

Rehabilitation

Much of current focus in social care is to enable people to live as independently as possible. Staff are involved in helping people to recover from effects of illness and disability to become as self-sufficient as is feasible.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes generally look after people who need regular nursing care which can only be provided by a qualified nurse or under the direct supervision of a nurse.

Voluntary Work

A wide range of opportunities exists for people seeking unpaid voluntary work in a variety of social care settings. In particular, people who are interested in finding out about working in social care, possibly with a view to changing career, may wish to undertake some part-time voluntary activity in order to gain an appreciation of the work, before committing to a move.

Other Roles

Within the social care sector there are many other roles which provide essential support eg maintenance staff, drivers, domestic and catering staff, finance and administration.