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An Introduction to Residential Social Care
In this micro course, we will explore the different aspects of residential social care, including some of the people that might access this type of service. We will also look at just a few of the exciting opportunities and careers that exist within residential social care.
What is Residential Social Care?
Residential social care describes a range of services provided for individuals who require help with daily living.
When we talk about residential social care, we are referring to:
- Practical support with daily activities like eating, dressing, and bathing.
- Health and medical care, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary treatments and manage their medication.
- Social and emotional well-being, offering opportunities for social activities and mental health support.
This type of care usually happens in a care home, which is a place where personal care and accommodation are provided together. The primary goal is to improve the quality of life of people, by providing personalised care and support tailored to their individual needs.
Funding for residential social care in the UK comes from a mix of public (local authorities) and private sources (self-funding by individuals and their families). The cost of care can vary widely depending on the level of support required and the type of facility.
People that might need Residential Social Care
Residential social care is for individuals who are unable to care for their own daily needs independently. This type of care might be needed on a long-term, short-term or respite basis.
Care homes cater for different care needs, such as:
- Learning disabilities
- Dementia
- Physical disabilities
- Mental health issues
- Sensory impairment
- Addictions i.e. alcohol and drugs
- Children or young people
- Older adults (65+)
More information:
Learning disabilities – Learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money.
Dementia – Dementia affects the way a person’s brain works. When a person has dementia, their brain starts to forget the things they have learned or has difficulty putting them in the right order.
Physical disabilities – Physical disability is a substantial and long-term condition affecting a part of a person’s body that impairs and limits their physical functioning.
Mental health issues – if you go through a period of poor mental health, you might find the ways you’re frequently thinking, feeling or reacting become difficult, or even impossible, to cope with. This can feel just as bad as a physical illness, or even worse.
Sensory impairment – Sensory impairment is when one of your senses, for example sight or hearing, is no longer normal.
Addictions – Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.
Children or young people – They may require residential social care for any of the reasons already explored in this section. Other reasons include being unable to live with their family due to illness, neglect or abuse, or behavioural/emotional/social disorders.
Older people – Generally, someone over the age of 65 is considered an older person. They may require residential social care for any of the reasons already explored in this section.
Did you know?
Respite care is when a care home provides short-term care for a person, so their main caregiver (usually a family member) can have a break.
Make a note
Who might need residential social care?
Types of Residential Social Care
The different types of Residential Social Care include:
Residential care homes for children
They offer a safe and structured environment for those who cannot live with their families due to various reasons. Services typically include education, therapy, medical care, recreational activities, and life skills training.
Specialist Units for children
They provide support for children with specific needs, such as those with severe behavioural issues, mental health conditions, or disabilities. In the UK, residential social care for children is regulated by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills), which ensures that care providers meet the required standards of quality and safety.
Residential care homes for adults
They provide support for individuals who need help with daily living. Services include personal care, medical support, social activities, and assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating and drinking.
Nursing homes for adults
They also provide personal care, but there is always one or more qualified nurses on duty to provide nursing care. They are for people that need more care and support. For example, people with complex medical conditions or severe disabilities.
Specialist Units for adults
They provide support for adults with specific needs, such as dementia care homes or facilities for individuals with severe mental health conditions.
In England, adult residential social care services are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which ensures that care providers meet standards of quality and safety. Similar regulatory bodies exist in other parts of the UK.
Example careers in Residential Social Care
Click on the buttons below to find out about the different jobs in Residential Social Care available…
Did you know?
In the UK, the average cost of a residential care home is around £1160 per week and a nursing home is around £1410 per week.
Make a note
What makes a nursing home different from a residential home?
Care worker
The role of a care worker is to support people with all aspects of their day-to-day life. In this role you could support people with their social and physical activities including:
- Eating and drinking
- Personal care
- Attending appointments
- Shopping and money management
- Monitoring health conditions
- Medication
Average salary: £19,000 – £25,000 a year
Typical hours: 35 – 45 hours per week
Activities worker
Activities workers organise social activities for people who need support. In this role you could be responsible for:
- Talking with people about what activities they might enjoy
- Organising activities that are tailored to the needs of individuals, and group activities to bring people together
- Booking external entertainment
- Organising transport and trips out in the local community
- Helping people take part in the activities.
Average salary: £20,000 – £24,000 a year
Typical hours: 30 hours per week
Senior care worker
Senior care workers provide physical and emotional support to individuals and supervise teams of care workers. As a senior care worker, you could:
- develop and review client care plans
- monitor patients’ vital signs, like blood pressure and heart rate
- complete patient medication records
- create and lead activities for care service users
- speak with families about their relative’s progress
- supervise care workers and train and mentor new starters
- provide emergency cover
- attend team meetings with healthcare professionals and service managers
Average salary: £24,000 – £29,000 a year
Typical hours: 40 – 45 hours per week
Deputy manager / team manager
Deputy managers lead and manage the care team, helping them to deliver high standards across the organisation. You’ll also play an important role in supporting the manager of the service. As a deputy manager you could:
- support your manager to run your workplace, including covering in their absence and ensuring standards of care are maintained
- ensure the service safely plans staffing levels and complies with legislation and regulatory requirements
- undertake care assessments of people needing care and support, as well as working closely with healthcare professionals and others
- help the service to recruit and develop new care workers, supporting, supervising and performance managing them
Average salary: £25,000 – £32,000
Typical hours: 39 – 41 hours per week
Registered Nurse
As a registered nurse working in social care you will be working with people and their families, carers and partners to promote health and prevent ill health. As a registered nurse, you could:
- take temperatures, blood pressures and pulse rates
- give drugs and injections, treat wounds and set up drips
- monitor the progress of patients and update records
- handover information to colleagues at the end of a shift
- work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to decide what care to give
- give advice to patients and their relatives
Average salary: £30,000 – £45,000 a year
Typical hours: 37 – 42 hours per week
Care home manager
Care home managers lead and run residential homes. As care home manager, you could:
- provide information, advice and support to residents, families and staff
- help residents access local services
- monitor business performance and quality of care
- agree contracts, budgeting and fundraising
- develop policies and keep private information confidential
Average salary: £25,000 – £55,000 a year
Typical hours: 39 – 41 hours per week
What values are important in residential social care?
Social care is built on a foundation of core values that guide the behaviour and practices of caregivers and professionals.
These values ensure that individuals receiving care are treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. Here are the key values in social care:
1. Dignity and Respect:
- Treat every individual with honour and respect, recognizing their unique worth and human rights.
- Ensure that care is delivered in a way that maintains the person’s dignity and self-esteem.
2. Independence:
- Encourage and support individuals to make their own choices and decisions.
- Promote self-reliance and empower individuals to take control of their own lives as much as possible.
3. Choice:
- Respect the right of individuals to make choices about their care and support.
- Provide information and options so that individuals can make informed decisions.
4. Privacy:
- Respect the privacy of individuals, ensuring that personal information is kept confidential.
- Provide care in a way that protects the individual’s personal space and boundaries.
5. Rights:
- Uphold and promote the rights of individuals, ensuring they are aware of what they are entitled to.
6. Equality and Diversity:
- Respect and value the diversity of individuals, recognising and appreciating differences such as culture, religion, gender, and abilities.
7. Safety:
- Ensure that individuals are protected from harm, abuse, and neglect.
- Provide a safe and secure environment where individuals feel protected and cared for.
8. Partnership:
- Work with individuals, their families, and other professionals
- Value the input and perspectives of everyone involved in the care process.
9. Accountability:
- Take responsibility for actions and decisions.
- Reflect on practice and continuously seek to improve the quality of care provided.
The 6Cs were originally introduced by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) to ensure that care is compassionate and centered around the needs of individuals. They now underpin quality social care provision too. Here’s an overview of each of the 6Cs:
1. Care:
- Ensuring that care is safe, effective, and centered around
the person receiving it.
2. Compassion:
- This involves understanding what others are going through and showing kindness and respect.
3. Competence:
- This means having the necessary skills, knowledge, and qualifications to provide effective care.
4. Communication:
- This includes listening actively, speaking clearly, and using language that is appropriate and accessible.
5. Courage:
- This involves speaking up for what is right and promoting the best interests of those in care.
6. Commitment:
- This includes dedication to providing the best possible care and promoting the well-being of individuals.
Respect the right of individuals to make choices about their care and support.
Make a note
What values make up the 6Cs?
What skills do employers look for?
Everyone working in residential social care needs English, number, digital and employability skills, including team work, knowing how to manage their own health and wellbeing, as well as how to plan their personal learning and development. Together these are known as core skills.
Core skills are the skills needed to enable social care workers to provide high quality care, meet sector standards and complete qualifications.
1. English Skills
Include the ability to:
Read, Write, Speak, Listen
They can be used to:
Communicate with people, Write a care plan, Read and follow a risk assessment, Report an incident or accident
2. Number Skills
Include the ability to:
Do calculations, Record numbers, Understand measurements, Use timetables and plan work
They can be used to:
Record fluid intake and outputs, Count medication, Measure and record weight, Calculate staff wages
3. Digital Skills
Include the ability to:
Find and manage digital information, Share personal data digitally, Use digital technology with people using services, Make use of e-learning
They can be used to:
Update digital handover notes, Use remote monitoring systems, Use assistive technologies
4. Employability Skills
Include the ability to:
Problem solve, Work in a team, Plan own learning and development, Manage own health and well-being, Build resilience
They can be used to:
Prioritise workloads, Manage work/home life balance, Respond well to challenging behaviour, Adapt to changing demands at work
Developing these core skills is essential for anyone working in social care. They enable professionals to perform their duties effectively, communicate clearly, and provide high-quality care to those in need.
Did you know?
According to a Skills for Care report, there is a growing need for social care workers to develop digital skills to enhance care delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technology in the social care sector.
Make a note
What are English skills needed for in residential social care?
Why careers in residential social care are important
Careers in residential social care play a crucial role in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Here are several reasons why these careers are essential:
1. Supporting Vulnerable Populations
Residential social care workers provide vital support to individuals who cannot live independently, ensuring they receive the care they need.
2. Improving Quality of Life
By offering personalised care and emotional support, residential social care workers significantly improve the quality of life for individuals. They help create a safe environment where individuals can thrive, feel valued, and maintain their dignity.
3. Promoting Social Inclusion
Residential social care facilities often provide opportunities for social interaction and community involvement, helping to combat isolation and loneliness.
4. Providing Emotional Support
Residential social care workers offer emotional support, companionship, and a listening ear, helping individuals cope with their feelings and build resilience.
5. Ensuring Safety and Well-being
Residential social care workers are trained to recognise and respond to signs of abuse, neglect, or health deterioration. They play a critical role in safeguarding individuals’ well-being, ensuring that they are safe, healthy, and protected.
6. Meeting Growing Demand
As the population ages and the need for social care services increases, the demand for qualified residential social care workers continues to rise. Careers in this field are essential to meeting this growing need and ensuring that all individuals receive the care and support they require.
7. Supporting Families and Communities
Residential social care workers provide much-needed relief and support to families who may struggle to care for their loved ones at home. By offering professional care, they enable family members to balance their responsibilities and maintain their own well-being.
8. Career Opportunities and Professional Growth
The field of residential social care offers diverse career opportunities and pathways for professional growth. Care workers can specialise in areas such as dementia care, palliative care, or mental health, and complete further training and qualifications to advance their careers.
9. Contributing to Society
By caring for some of the most vulnerable individuals, residential social care workers make a meaningful contribution to society. Their work is invaluable in creating a compassionate and supportive community where everyone is valued and cared for.
Residential social care workers are trained to recognise and respond to signs of abuse neglect or health deterioration.
Did you know?
If the number of adult social care jobs increases in line with the projected growth of the population aged 65+ from 2023 to 2040, a 29% increase (or 540,000 additional jobs) will be needed by 2040.
Make a note
If individuals are provided with personalised care and emotional support, what does this promote?
Opportunities & pathways
There are around 17,600 regulated care homes in the UK, which provide a variety of services including residential care, nursing care, and specialist care for individuals with dementia or learning disabilities.
As of 2023/24, the adult social care sector in England:
1.84 million total posts
1.705 million filled posts
131,000 vacant posts
Average hourly rate of pay for care workers: £11.00
Getting started
You don’t necessarily need any qualifications or previous work experience to get a job in social care. What’s really important is your values and attitude towards working with people who need care and support.
There are some qualifications you might want to do to get a taster of what it’s like to work in the sector:
- Level 1 Award in Preparing to work in the care sector
- Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to work in the care sector
- Level 3 Certificate on Preparing to work in the care sector
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a great way to gain work experience, develop skills, achieve a qualification and earn a wage. They’re a great way into the sector for people of all ages and there are different levels depending on your skills and experience.
Other qualifications
The following social care qualifications can be completed once you start your role, as they are specific to the job you’re doing and the skills you need to do it; these are known as vocational qualifications and are alternatives to an apprenticeship. These qualifications range from level 2 to level 5:
- Level 2 Diploma in Care
- Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
- Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership Management for Adult Care
Example progression pathway (having undertaken relevant training/qualifications)
1/ Care worker – Level 2
2/ Senior care worker – Level 3
3/ Deputy manager/team manager- Level4
4/ Care home manager – Level 5
An apprenticeship is a great way to gain work experience, develop skills, achieve a qualification and earn a wage.
Career Path Questionnaire
This simple questionnaire might help you to identify some career pathways that suit your personal interests and your skills. This questionnaire comes in 2 parts. The first part of this activity is a simple questionnaire.
Using the options in the table below, answer each of the questions by selecting a number in one of the columns, based on the following:
1 = Dislike a lot 2 = Dislike 3 = Don’t Mind 4 = Like 5 = Like a lot
Based on your personal interest and skills, you may be interested in the jobs shown in the highlighted section below.
The role of a care worker or activities worker
Roles explored in this course:
TBC.
You scored
in this category.
The role of a care home manager
Roles explored in this course:
TBC.
You scored
in this category.
Training to become a registered nurse
Roles explored in this course:
TBC.
You scored
in this category.
8 Steps to get you Started
- Make a list of your personal strengths and attributes
- Research the skills that are required for the careers that you are interested in – the Think Care Careers website is a good place to start
- Think about your past experiences and make a list of any skills you have gained, which would be relevant to a career in social care
- Speak with someone from the National Careers Service
- Look at volunteering opportunities in your local area
- Explore apprenticeships in social care
- Look at the residential social care job vacancies advertised in your local area
- Prepare for interviews by researching common questions and scenarios you might face
Check Your Knowledge
So now you’re well on the way to understanding about Residential Social Care, answer the multi-choice questions below to see how much you really know.
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