The coronavirus pandemic disrupted the lives of children everywhere. For young people with mental ill-health the effects have been particularly challenging. According to the Children’s Society, one in eight children aged 5-19 in England currently have a diagnosable mental health condition. Across the UK we’ve seen a 25% increase in children with mental health problems compared to before the pandemic.
While the worst of the pandemic may now be behind us, falling benefit rates, including the end of the Universal Credit uplift, combined with rising fuel and food costs, are all factors that will contribute to the pressure on many low-income families. This in turn is likely to increase the demand on children’s social services, and there’s a soaring demand for workers in this challenging but immensely rewarding sector.
Could it be the right career move for you?
The children of today are the adults of our future, and by working with them you’ll enable them to grow into confident and resilient young people, set them on the right track and allow them to thrive in their future. Here we highlight some of the reasons why social care for children is so important.
Your impact on a child’s life
Working with children in care is a unique opportunity to help young people and their families function the best they can in their environment. You’ll have the satisfaction of being involved in a child’s intellectual, social and emotional development. It’s a profession that’s rich with meaning and where everyone working together have the power to make a difference.
The role you play in these children’s lives can be transformational to their future, and even last a lifetime. Your support enables a child to blossom in confidence, feel happier and become healthier – basic needs that every child is entitled to. By laying this foundational groundwork with a child, you’ll help to create opportunities for their growth and development, giving them a better chance of having a thriving future and, ultimately, changing their life.
A child’s impact on you
Your work will certainly make a positive difference to a child, but they too will leave a lasting impact on your life, as well as enhance your skills development and career possibilities. Relationships will children are built on trust and you’ll likely feel rewarded by becoming their trusted confidant. Each child has different needs and ways of expressing themselves, so you’ll sharpen your communication skills, to connect most effectively with that child. Being part of a wider team, you’ll learn from others’ experiences and use creativity to come up with new ideas that will create better outcomes for the children. Plus, you’ll gain deep satisfaction from your involvement in a child’s intellectual, social and emotional development.
A career with meaning
The pandemic has undoubtedly caused difficulties for many people, from huge levels of uncertainty, to tragedy, financial instability and job losses. But among all these struggles, we’ve been reminded that, now more than ever, some sectors are essential in making a difference to wider society. This is certainly true for children’s social care – providing support to children of families facing hardship is vital for their wellbeing. During such a turbulent time, your work is crucial in improving a child’s quality of life and making a difference to local communities.
BS Social Care is a trusted recruitment partner to the UK’s social care sector. We have a breadth of roles available within children’s social care services, including Early Years Educators, Support Care Workers, Registered Managers and Team Leaders, and our dedicated team are here to support you find your next challenge.
To find out more and to browse all our job opportunities within Services for Children, visit our jobs page.
