Apprenticeships - Health and Social Care | Blackpool and The Fylde College

A Career as a Carer...

Working with the elderly, the infirm or the disabled isn’t for everyone. But if you’ve got a sensitive and caring nature, a relaxed, friendly personality and good social skills, it could well be for you. Oh, and a good sense of humour helps as well!

Working in a care home, nursing home, day care centre or even a hospital, you’ll help residents with day to day things like washing, dressing, trips to the bathroom and toilet and assisting at mealtimes.

But just as important as the practical help is the emotional support you can offer; as you get to know those in your care, you’ll learn how to spot when they’re feeling down, when to spend a little extra time chatting with them and the importance of simply being there to listen. Your studies at college, meanwhile, will introduce you to the basics of caring, teach you how to make observations and maintain records and give you a thorough understanding of health and safety regulations.

As the UK population grows older, especially here in Blackpool and The Fylde, there’ll be more and more openings for qualified care workers. It’s an enormously fulfilling and worthwhile career, and as you move up the ladder you can train and prepare for more senior roles with a Level 3 and Level 4 qualification or even a Foundation Degree in Health and Social care.

Meet the Apprentice

Ashley Griffin, Age 22

Ashley’s career as a carer is proof it’s never too late to change direction - and shows how an Apprenticeship can help you do just that. After giving up her job in a Blackpool tanning salon to follow a long held ambition to work in care, she spent 6 months at The Princess Alexandra Home for the Blind before enrolling as a Level 2 Apprentice in Health and Social Care.

“Working this 6 months experience helped because I knew something about the practical side of social care already,” she says. “What College teaches me is the theory and the Key Skills I need to make a career out of caring.”

Ashley had got used to earning a living wage before she started her training, and one of the things she likes most about being an Apprentice is that she hasn’t had to give up work in order to get her qualification.

“I can learn while I’m earning, so I’m doing something that gives me a real sense of fulfilment.”

And for the future?

“I love the sense of community at The Princess Alexandra and I want to develop my career here with a Level 3 Apprenticeship and a supervisory role.”

Meet the Boss

Alison McLean, Care Manager, the Princess Alexandra Home for the Blind

Alison is a committed supporter of staff training. She co-ordinates all the in-house training at The Princess Alexandra Home. One of the most valuable aspects of their studies, according to Alison, is the Key Skills training they receive.

“After 6 months, we know if they’re cut out for the practical side of the job. But these trainees are the care leaders of tomorrow, and they must have the ability to express themselves clearly and correctly in reports and in conversations with other members of staff. That’s what College gives them.”

Alison also praises the new rules that mean people of any age can become Apprentices.

“We’re only interested in recruiting and training those who are best suited to the job, regardless of age, so the fact there’s no upper age limit gives us much more flexibility.”

And what do Apprentices bring to the business?

“That’s easy; training gives them confidence, and that shows in their relationships with residents, in their reports and assessments and in their interaction with the rest of the team.”