There are so many different types of Care, it can be very difficult to decide which might best suit your unique qualities. To make it even harder – the majority of websites use loads of jargon when describing what Social Care is. And, with all of the myths that float around about Care – it can be difficult to distinguish one type from another. So, we want it to be as straight-forward for you as possible – below, we’ve listed many of the different types of Care, with a simple description of what each one is. We hope it will help you to answer what is social care, and what type of carer am I.
Supported Living allows service users to have a home of their own with the support that they need to maximise their independance. Working in supported living will often entail caring for service users who may have learning disabilities, mental health or autism. There are also many supported living schemes for retired and elderly residents. Their housing and support is built around them, rather than them fitting into a particular service or type of home.
As a Supported living care or support worker you will:
Approximately 1.4 million people in the UK have a learning disability. A learning disability affects the way a person learns and deals with things in all areas of life. People whose learning disability is mild often learn to speak, read and write. However, people whose learning disability is more severe may need higher levels of support.
Community-based services for people with a Learning Disability provide care, treatment and support, in the community, for people with a learning disability. They help people to live as independently as possible, manage their condition and improve it where this is possible. There are also residential-based services that care for people with a more acute learning disability.
As a Learning Disability care or support worker you will:
Elderly care is the fulfilment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to senior citizens. It includes a wide range of services that are provided over an extended period of time to people who need help to perform daily activities.
These types of care can include rehabilitative therapies, skilled nursing care, palliative care, and social services, as well as supervision and a wide range of supportive personal care.
Elderly care can be provided at home, in the community, or in various types of facilities, including assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Residential care homes provide accommodation and personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, taking medicines and activities such as day trips. Some care homes are larger than others and range in the level of care needs depending on the residents who live there.
When working in Mental Health care, you are helping people to recover from mental illness by providing a broad range of interventions that reflect the psychological, social and physical needs of the individual. This may include providing care, treatment and support to people, subject to supervised community treatment under the Mental Health Act (1983).
Substance misuse is defined as the harmful use of substances (such as drugs and alcohol) for non-medical purposes. The term “substance misuse” generally refers to illegal drugs. However, legal substances can also be misused – for example, alcohol, prescription medication, caffeine and nicotine.
Substance misuse care are services provided typically in the community for people who misuse the above-named substances. It’s the provision of care, treatment and support, both pharmacological and psychosocial, and help with social and other needs so that people can reintegrate into their communities.
As a Substance misuse worker you will:
Want to find out more? Discover what the National Careers Service says about the role of a Substance misuse outreach worker
Children and young people should expect to have the same opportunities as other children and young people, including being healthy and safe. They should be provided with the opportunities needed to help them move successfully to adulthood.
The needs of children and young people vary, but are often complex, and can be met only by a range of services operating collaboratively across different settings.
This includes services that provide:
Working in Children’s Services might involve supporting children in a residential setting or providing mentoring and guidance when needed. Why not check out Break Charity and the services they provide to Children here: http://www.break-charity.org/
Nursing homes also provide personal care but also have qualified Nurses available to provide nursing care. Some nursing homes offer services for people that may need more care and support. For example, people with severe learning or physical disabilities or complex neurological conditions.
In a role as a Nurse, you’re responsible for the promotion of health; prevention of any illness, and; care of physically ill, mentally ill, and disabled people of all ages, in all healthcare and other community settings.
Providing Care as a Nurse can take place in any environment – whether that be in the person’s home; a Care Home, or; anywhere else.
Becoming a Nurse is more difficult than getting involved in any other type of Care. To become a Nurse, you must possess a certain level of qualification, and be authorised to practice by the appropriate regularly authority.