I have worked as a specialist support worker at First for Support for over 10 years. Sometimes we’re known as Healthcare Assistants, because of the amount of experience we have and because of how much we can do to help the clients we work with.
What is it like working with First for Support in the healthcare sector?
I have worked with Bea, the founder and director at First for Support, for many years. It’s been brilliant for me because I am really passionate and enthusiastic about the health and social care industry and Bea feels exactly the same.
I love meeting new people and going to different places, so this job is ideal for me. I wouldn’t want to be in a 9-5 office job!
For me, and for Bea, this job is all about having an impact in people’s lives and really helping them. We’re in the caring profession and that means a lot to us.
One of the many things I like about First for Support is how much they treat each of us as individuals. We’re like family. They get to know us really well, and make sure that we get placements that suit us and that we’re happy where we’re working.
They also care about our development and our training, and how we can achieve our goals to do our best work in the social and health care sector.
I also respect the way they only take on care workers who have a good standard of spoken and written English, as it’s important that we can communicate well and make clear notes.
What is it like when you go to a new placement?
Because Bea and the team at First for Support put a lot of thought into the right people for the right roles, and they give you the right training and make sure you’re prepared, it feels fine starting at a new place.
You are given some background on the person you will be looking after, and their care plan, which is helpful. You’ll know the do’s and don’ts and the general procedures. We follow all the right regulations, GDPR and codes of practice for our industry, as well as any specific guidelines that the companies we’re working with have.
After that, it’s a case of getting to know the managers and the team. It’s really important to have good relationships with everyone and be a flexible team player.
Most importantly, it’s about getting to know the person you are looking after, so that they feel comfortable with you and you can help them and inspire them as much as possible. When you start in a new role, you need to be relaxed and patient and be aware that some people take time to welcome new people into their lives. Just be yourself. Do the best job you can do, and be kind and friendly and respectful and everything will be fine.
What do you think about working in the healthcare sector?
I think it’s one of the most important jobs you can do. You’re dealing with human lives and it’s about so much more than the money. You always need to remember that you’re looking after someone’s son, daughter, mother, father. We’re all part of the same human community and you should never forget that as it gives you empathy for others.
It makes me sad when I see people not care as much as they should. It doesn’t seem like they take pride in their work and they take short cuts.
That is not good for the person you are looking after and it isn’t good for you. Because Bea, Ellie, Natalie and Rhiarna really care, they only hire people that care too. In everyone who works for First for Support, you can see their enthusiasm and how seriously they take their work, at the same time as making it fun.
Also, we are confident in recommending improvements to the way things are being done in our placements, as we have the knowledge and training from working with First for Support.
What kind of placements do you get from First for Support?
In the health and social care sector, there are all kinds of assignments. I have worked with young people with a range of conditions, including Down’s syndrome, autism, ADHD, advanced hyper sensitivity, epilepsy and mental health issues.
But it’s never overwhelming because of the training and the preparation we get.
What has working in the care sector done for you?
I’m a family man and that’s helped me a lot because I’m working with people’s families. I take my personal values into my work and I get great satisfaction from helping people who are struggling with challenges in their lives.
Encouraging them and teaching them, and seeing the change you make in their lives, is really rewarding and it has really developed me as a person. It’s also humbling, as you realise you don’t know everything and it’s okay to open up and to ask for help.
Doing this job reminds you that there’s a bigger world out there than just your own experience, and working in this role has helped me to appreciate that and to be the best person I can be, as well as inspiring others as well.
What is it like working for First for Support and would you recommend them as an
employer?
I am so happy to be working with First for Support and I would recommend them to anyone. If you really care about what you do, and you want to make a difference, this is the best company to work for.
Since I studied for my degree, I’ve worked in the care sector for 20 years and I worked for other agencies before I started working with First for Support so I have something to compare them to. They really make us feel appreciated. I feel like Bea and her team care about me as a person, not just as an employee. If you work hard you get financially rewarded, and at First for Support you also get development if you want it. First for Support share my values and, like me, everything they do comes from the heart, and I can’t imagine working with anyone else.
How can I contact First for Support?
We would love to find the perfect placement for you. We mainly cover Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth, and we have some placements in the New Forest, Salisbury and Dorchester areas as well.
You are welcome to email us at info@firstforsupport.co.uk or call our office on 02382 515806. Or, you can get in touch with us via this brief form on our website which will send us a message with your contact details.
