Lifting the Lid on Working in Social Care - Inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals

Bury College recently hosted the ‘Lifting the Lid on Working in Social Care’ event, an engaging and insightful experience aimed at inspiring our health and social care students. The event, led by Bailey Greetham-Clark, Founder & Managing Director of Be Great Fitness, provided our students with invaluable exposure to the diverse opportunities within the healthcare sector.

Connecting Students with Industry Professionals

A key feature of the event was an employer panel, where our students had the unique opportunity to hear directly from industry professionals about their career journeys and the various progression routes available in healthcare. This interactive session not only broadened their understanding of the field but also educated them on what employers are looking for and how to enhance their employability skills.

Tackling Key Challenges in Social Care

Our students also participated in two key challenges designed to encourage critical thinking and creativity in addressing sector-specific issues:

Challenge 1: Recruitment – Students were tasked with creating a campaign aimed at engaging young people under 21 to consider careers in social care within Bury. The campaign needed to reflect the types of roles available and the values and skills necessary for success in the sector.

Challenge 2: Wellness – Participants designed a wellness activity programme for a Bury social care service. The programme aimed to improve at least two of the following: physical capability, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, or social interaction.

The employer panel judged these competitions, providing valuable feedback and recognising the most innovative and effective solutions.

A First-Hand Perspective on the Sector

A highlight of the event was a lived experience session hosted by Hamaira Haroon and Rebecca Lunness from Bury People First. They shared their personal experiences in the sector, highlighting the critical role of social care in supporting the needs of adults and reinforcing the impact that compassionate, skilled professionals can have on people’s lives.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Emma McNamara, Workforce Strategy Director at Unique Training Solutions, provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

She emphasised the importance of attracting younger workers to social care, given that 40% of the workforce is over the age of 55.

“One of the key observations through data we’ve seen is that adult social care has one of the highest aging populations of staff. You need to ensure that you're bringing in that real succession plan of young people.” – Emma McNamara

Emma also addressed the gap between employer expectations and student preparation, stressing the need for greater collaboration between educational institutions and employers.

“I think that the colleges and universities nationwide are very good at putting careers fairs together, but there needs to be more opportunity where students and employers start working closely together.” – Emma McNamara

Encouraging Young People to Explore Social Care Careers

Bailey Greetham-Clark, the event’s host, highlighted the importance of showcasing opportunities for young people in the social care sector. He emphasised that the industry is currently dominated by an older workforce, and events like this provide a platform to inspire the next generation to get involved.

“Today, I'm hosting this event, which is fantastic, because what I think is really important is showing young people, young people. That sounds a bit funny, but what I mean by that is, there are so many older folks working within the sector. When it comes to management roles, even staff roles, there's not a lot of youth. So, to be able to go up today and host the event, it shows just how much opportunity there is for young people. I'm 22 I'm not too far off their age, and I think it's important to show and represent diversity, especially within ages.” – Bailey Greetham-Clark

Recognising the need to properly prepare young people for careers in social care, Bailey praised Bury College for providing students with the knowledge and insight they need to make informed decisions about their future.

“Today's a really special day, because it just shows how vital the sector is and how needed the staff forces are. Getting these guys interested, getting these guys learning and empowered and excited and educated. To let children or young people go into a role blind is malpractice. So, by Bury College now educating them, they're doing the best of their role as possible. They're preparing these young people for a career that can truly be special for them.”

Exploring Future Career Paths

Following the announcement of the competition winners, our students had the opportunity to network with various employer partners, allowing them to ask questions and explore career opportunities in greater depth.

The ‘Lifting the Lid on Working in Social Care’ event successfully inspired and educated our students about the sector’s opportunities, bridging the gap between education and employment. A huge thank you to Bailey and Emma, Unique Training Solutions, Bury Council, and all the employers that attended this event. By fostering greater engagement between students and industry professionals, events like these play a crucial role in ensuring a strong and passionate workforce for the future of social care.