Inspiring the Next Generation of Carers

The heart of our health and care system beats with the dedication of countless individuals, tirelessly devoting themselves to the well-being of others. However, the draw to careers in care has diminished in recent times, compounded by the overwhelming strains placed on the health and care sector, making it increasingly challenging to fill these critical positions.

The severe shortages of staff and the lack of funding to pay for more or enhanced services to provide care or respite provision at home or homely settings have left a gaping hole in support, meaning that often services just aren’t available. More than 6 in 10 councils say they are having to prioritise assessments and are only able to respond to people where abuse or neglect is highlighted, or for hospital or reablement discharge.[1] This has left more than 2.6 million people in England aged over 50 unable to receive care, including hundreds of thousands who are stuck on waiting lists for support or even just waiting to have their needs assessed.[2] Recent debates around reducing care worker visas also raise further concerns about how we’ll be able to meet these ever growing needs.

While technology will be an enabler to help facilitate the work being done, it is no substitute for the care workforce that is needed to provide these personal services. But creating more capacity to provide good care is possible and can make all the difference. If we’re able to lighten the load of carers and prevent burnout, we stand a greater chance to making a difference. Investing in social care also makes for a more financially sustainable model – as a good hybrid care model is more cost efficient than hospital stays and creates better outcomes and experiences when an individual is able to stay in their own home for as long as it safe to do so.

Even with the right investment, the question then is how do we attract and inspire the younger generation to join the care profession? This is a question that strikes a deeply personal chord within each of us, for we all have loved ones who require care, or will in the future, and many of us know someone who has embraced the role of a caregiver. And for me, the next generation of carers is a subject that’s very close to home. I have seen first-hand how my 28 year old son has grown, developed and progressed in his career as a carer – a path he wasn’t initially expecting to embark on, yet has given him opportunities he never could have imagined when he was still in school.

Unlike the health profession, there is no recognised ‘professional’ career path for carers. Moreso, the care profession currently faces an image problem, struggling to capture the imagination and aspirations of people leaving school or transitioning careers. It is our responsibility to bridge this gap, to shed light on the immense rewards and opportunities that lie within the realm of care.

That is why it is time to ignite a collective passion for care, reimagining its appeal as a fulfilling career path for the generations to come.

Sharing positive personal stories in Care

Caring for someone, whether a loved one or in a professional capacity, is a deeply personal experience that often goes unseen and underappreciated. By sharing stories and experiences, we can break down the misconceptions surrounding the care profession and show the profound sense of purpose it can offer.

This would best be done by celebrating and sharing the success stories of relatable young caregivers, who have made a meaningful impact in their chosen fields and have found fulfilment in their chosen path. By highlighting inspiring narratives of individuals who have thrived in care professions, we can break stereotypes and misconceptions, and showcase the profound personal fulfilment and career growth opportunities available in the care sector.

Recognising the Role of the Unpaid Carer

Currently, across the UK, there are 1.79 million paid care workers - which is more than the total workforce of the NHS. However, the latest estimates from the Family Resources Survey indicate that around 4.9 million people in the UK are providing informal care to loved ones, unpaid, untrained but giving everything they have that’s possible to give. There are also estimated to be more than 800,000 young carers aged 5-17 caring for an adult or family member.? Individuals with a variety of backgrounds and professional experience are now turning their hand to supporting the people they love to stay in their own homes, safe, cared for and loved.

These carers have little tools or experience in professional caregiving, they are not connected to the system by data and insight, and they don’t form part of the official ‘multidisciplinary care team’.? They are in the main a silent often unknown workforce creating significant value into the system, with little or no support or recognition. That must change. Recognising and including the role of ‘connected carer’ in system planning in my view is one of the most vital things we can do for them, and for those they care for. Most importantly, there is huge potential to embrace and enable the transfer of unpaid care experience and tap into this inspiring pool of talent that has already proven itself to be adaptable, resilient and capable of delivering excellent care in a professional role.

Unveiling the Vast Opportunities in Care

To attract more young people into careers in care, we must reinvent the narrative around it. We can do this by showcasing the diverse range of roles available within care, beyond the stereotypes they might have in their head or have seen on TV. From the operating room to social work to occupational therapy and mental health support. Consider the new and emerging roles in digital, data and exciting technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence, then the care sector has so many exciting opportunities for growth, personal development, and meaningful connections which will create success in so many different ways for many young people who currently perceive care as a low end job. By highlighting this, we can inspire young individuals to embark on a career path that enables them to make a tangible difference in the lives of others and to fulfil a vocation that otherwise will be overlooked.

Engaging Schools and Universities

To nurture the interest of young people, we must involve and partner with educational institutions, which are at the forefront of career guidance. We must promote and re-educate on this misunderstood low skilled workforce to the truth of high skill and emotional intelligence and position the need of this workforce exactly where it is, essential. By hosting guest lectures, and interactive workshops, and providing opportunities for internships, we can give students some firsthand experiences and insights into the rewards and challenges of careers in care. Having dedicated multi-disciplinary programs and scholarships can also help passionate individuals overcome the barriers they face and get them ready for a future career in care. As I know from my own son’s story, sometimes it merely boils down to thinking your grades aren’t good enough, lacking awareness of the opportunities or routes to achieving your passion and ultimately the individual and the system missing the chance to realise the immense potential for a rewarding career in healthcare.

Expanding Apprenticeship and Returnship Schemes

One of the best ways to get the next generation into the care sector is through apprenticeship schemes. As an alternative to traditional education pathways, these offer a direct entry into the world of care services, bridging the educational gap. While we are engaging schools and universities to raise the profile of care careers, we can also guide young individuals to a variety of apprenticeship opportunities.

Degree apprenticeships allow for apprentices to earn while they learn, providing a balanced approach for those who might face financial constraints to gain hands-on experience while earning a degree. Increasingly organisations are supporting return-ships for parents, long term unemployed adults and veterans seeking to re-enter the civilian workforce. A great example of these initiatives are the apprenticeship.gov.uk platform in England, apprenticeship.scot in Scotland, gov.wales/find-apprenticeships for Wales?and the Returner Toolkit. These platforms provide recent graduates with various opportunities within the care sector, including apprenticeships such as those offered by the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technology Education, the NHS Leadership Academy, as well as HM Government funded Free Courses Online.? We are also slowly starting to see Local Authorities, Trusts and Health Boards now offer Technology Enabled Care Apprenticeships too, although more still needs to be done.

Those facing uncertain an future in sectors such as retail, manufacturing and construction as an example, may not consider the health and care sector as a place they would consider retraining, however the opportunities to bring transferable skills into a market which is developing in all directions, may perhaps offer mutually rewarding benefits for the individuals as well as a sector struggling to recruit and retain.

Highlighting the Intersection of Care and Technology

Technology has now become an integral part of health and care, revolutionising the way care is delivered. For young people who are tech-savvy, showcasing how cutting-edge innovations like telemedicine, wearable devices, robots, data and insights, and AI-assisted care are transforming the care profession, we can captivate their interest and show them exciting new options. By highlighting how technology enhances the provision of care, we can present the care profession as a set of dynamic and forward-thinking truly multidisciplinary careers that combines compassion with innovation and offers the opportunity for growth and progression whilst doing something immensely rewarding.

Emphasising Work-Life Balance and Flexibility

Amidst the demanding physical and emotional aspects of care professions, there are also a variety of arrangements that can cater to different lifestyles. Recognising the importance of work-life balance and flexibility, we must promote these aspects within the care profession. By highlighting initiatives such as part-time opportunities, job-sharing arrangements, variable hours and remote work possibilities, we are demonstrating that a career in care can be compatible with the personal aspirations and commitments of young individuals seeking a fulfilling and balanced lifestyle.? Technology assists in making this more achievable for employers through the use of dynamic scheduling tools and enterprise-wide mobile working platforms creating the flexibility and dynamism the sector has lacked in the past.

So where do we start?

As we stand at the crossroads care sector’s future, we must acknowledge and confront the reality of the immense challenges of today - a dire shortage of dedicated caregivers, escalating burnout rates, and an escalating and ageing population in need of compassionate support, undoubtedly an increase in unpaid carers placing strain on families and the economy. Yet amidst these challenges, we should remain hopeful and recognise the potential we as a human race with great heart and compassion can take steps to make the future better.

The journey ahead requires collaboration, innovation and a collective commitment to the sector. ?As business people, technologists, practitioners and commissioners we need to be the supporters and enablers who help create a care sector where compassionate caregivers not only survive but thrive.

With this long road ahead, I reflect on something I hear my own boss say regularly to us; “you will go faster alone, but farther together”. I think it’s time we start discussing and taking positive steps to remove barriers and eliminate silos, and find a way work together to turning our potential and incredible visions into reality.

[1] ADASS Waiting for Care Report May 2022

[2] Age UK May 2023