The Myths about Adult Social Care
Adult social care is an exciting environment in which to learn and work. The sector provides holistic, person centred and often complex support in a wide range of settings, to a diverse range of people who draw on care and support.
Without personal or professional experience in social care some learners might believe some of the myths around social care. This could influence perceptions of social care and the fantastic opportunities it offers as a great place to learn and work.
Hear from the experts who share their honest and open accounts to challenge the myths and showcase what the sector is really like!
Insert link to: Skills For Care video: Ten myths about being a registered nurse in social care:
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/regulated-professions/Nursing/Registered-nurses.aspx
The myths and truths
- A social care placement will not offer me the right opportunities to fulfil my competencies
” I have learnt lots of clinical skills including catheter care and syringe driver use (TT),
“I have learnt how to provide true, holistic, person-centred care and will take this with me for the rest of my training and when I become a nurse” (AM)
For details of learning opportunities for Occupational Therapy learners please see: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/resources/documents/Regulated-professions/Occupational-therapy/Optimising-occupational-therapy-placements-across-social-care.pdf
- A social care setting isn’t as dynamic and challenging as a hospital ward
“good quality, person-centred care doesn’t just start and end with the NHS.
” it is hard work and not an easy path, but it forces you to think in innovative ways to help residents get the support they deserve. If anything, the work I do now is far more complex and rewarding than my time spent on a ward.” (CP)
- Only people entering the end of their careers would work in social care – A time to slow down
“many of my colleagues and peers are young, energetic career professionals that recognise the career development opportunities that social care settings may offer. I personally developed from nurse to manager” RB
- Social care equals older people and I want to work with young adults
“The sheer diversity of individuals with a mix of chronic or specialist conditions living in residential care offers students and professionals the opportunity to become multiskilled and expert within a range of diverse areas” RB
“After qualifying Gail worked in a variety of settings including palliative care, working with young adults with challenging behaviours and complex needs for example, drugs, alcohol, Huntington’s disease and learning disabilities” GH
- Social care is a “second class” experience and not equal to other NHS led experiences to learn or work
“Nurses working in care homes/nursing homes work within a different culture than those working within a ward. They deal with people all the time that have a range of very complex clinical needs. They make clinical judgements that would normally be made by junior doctors on wards to ensure residents receive the best care available.” (RB)
- Social care is a last resort for a placement
“We have had some fantastic feedback over the years from 2nd and 3rd year students and it has really opened their eyes as to the real plethora of opportunities to grow, develop and gain competencies” RB
“I’ve learned about teamwork, communication, about having our own caseload…it’s putting theory into practice…I was really privileged to be involved…” IPE
- There is a limited range of career opportunities in social care
“I will take so many skills forward into my future role as a nurse learnt at the hospice and which can apply to endless areas of nursing. (TT)
“my current role in adult social care nursing involves working with individuals with complex clinical care needs such as motor neuron disease, strokes, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and dementia” GH.