Investment

Becoming a social work or care professional requires a considerable investment of time, resources and energy, so it is worth thinking carefully what it means to care for people professionally. If you are caring for someone in a professional capacity, there are a number of complicated issues involved, and you need to above all else, understand how best to respect the dignity and rights of individuals that you directly and indirectly encounter. Most often, you do not work for a person in need, you work with people, which is the reason for the commonality of the term partnership in the social care professions. You need to also consider the type of environment you would like to work in. Would you best suited to working in social work or probation offices? Or perhaps you would thrive in alternative settings, such as hospitals, hostels, drop in centres, hospices, residences, care homes religious settings or health centres. Working hours vary considerably also. You may well work 9 to 5, in a standard office, or may work as a shift worker in a centre, hospice or a residential setting. You might work privately, in the public or voluntary sector, or for a charity. Your field specialism may necessitate working in faith communities, either as an expression or religious commitment, or as an inherent element of your chosen area of work.