Employing around 32,000 people, with the figure expected to rise over the next ten years, Health and Social Care is what we call a ‘growth sector’. This is an area of commercial business developing at a greater pace than others in the county and, in turn, providing more job opportunities, higher salaries and better benefits.
You know what that means: there’s never been a better time to start a career in Health and Social Care. Not only does the sector provide opportunities for those with high-level qualifications, such as doctors and dentists, but there’s also a wide range of entry-level roles for school leavers, including care workers, counsellors, HR officers and receptionists.
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent Health and Social Care employers in the county today, as well as the reasons why you should, and how you can, join their ranks.
We asked the team at Ashridge a few questions to help you get to know them. Here's what they said!
What does Ashridge Home Care do?
Ashridge Home Care offers high-quality fully regulated and managed 24/7 live-in care, as well as hourly visiting care to people living in Buckinghamshire and the Home Counties. As a family-owned business, Ashridge specialises in offering bespoke, one-to-one support to elderly clients, people living with dementia, Parkinson's or MS, for example, as well as young disabled adults. Our ethos is that everyone deserves to stay at home with the right professional support in order to stay connected to their communities.
What are the main roles you recruit for?
There are a lot of opportunities to develop a career in care. We recruit for a wide variety of roles across the business. On the operational side, our office teams, including Care Managers, Coordinators, Recruiters, Trainers and Finance team keep the day-to-day operations running. Within our frontline team, we love helping people start their journey as hourly visiting carers, while also hiring experienced live-in carers to provide dedicated, full-time support to our clients.
What are the key skills and behaviours you look for, particularly for entry level roles?
Ashridge Home Care was founded by owner Trudi Scrivener who passionately believes that by caring for her employees they in turn will deliver outstanding care to clients. The company is founded upon the values of Trust, Respect, Compassion and Knowledge, and it recruits based on this values system.
Qualifications are not necessary to apply for a role. Ashridge not only offers benefits that financially reward staff, but offers continuous investment and training opportunities. For example, recently a visiting carer was promoted to a visiting care co-ordinator role and now splits her time between the office and being out in the community, still caring for clients. One of Ashridge’s youngest carers, Kirsty, won a prestigious national award last year being named as Frontline Carer of the Year at an industry event. Kirsty finished college with an NVQ and then undertook thorough training with Ashridge to support her young client with very specific needs.
Do applicants require specific qualifications, from GCSEs to college courses etc?
One thing you must have is a passion for delivering high quality care and a genuine desire to make someone's day that little bit better. We can then support you with the rest. For our visiting carer roles, you do not need to be an experienced carer or have formal qualifications. Together, we will guide and support our carers to develop their skills and confidence in providing high-quality care for clients with a variety of needs, from companionship to complex care.
Do you have many vacancies in Bucks?
Yes - most of our clients are based within Bucks. Our main opportunities would be to join our visiting care team, however due to the nature of this role and where our clients live, you would need to be a driver with your own car.
Where do you advertise roles?
You can always find an up to date list of our vacancies on our careers site. Or you can call 01494 917 344 to speak with our recruitment team (just ask for Jodie or Humera).
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
What?
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT) provides healthcare to over half a million patients in Bucks every year.
Where?
The trust delivers care in a range of ways: from community health services provided in people’s homes or at one of its local bases, to hospitals at Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Amersham.
Why?
Not only is Stoke Mandeville Hospital home to the internationally recognised National Spinal Injuries Centre, the trust’s stroke service is one of the best in the region AND it is a regional centre for burn care, plastic surgery and dermatology.
How?
BHT employs more than 7,000 people in both clinical and corporate roles, so it’s a great place for aspiring doctors, nurses, midwives, health visitors, therapists and support workers, as well as receptionists, risk assessment managers and HR professionals.
Learn more about working in the NHS
Discover more than 350 careers in the NHS.
Epilepsy Society
What?
Epilepsy Society is the UK’s only charity transforming the lives of people with epilepsy through world-leading research, advocacy and care.
Where?
The Chalfont Centre in Chalfont St Peter has been the charity's home since it was founded in 1892, so Bucks is very much a part of the life blood of the charity and vice versa.
Why?
With different characters, changing moods and new activities, no two days at the charity are the same, but you'll always leave knowing you've made a difference.
How?
Careers at the Epilepsy Society centre around: genomic research into personalised care for people suffering with epilepsy; maximising life potential through care services; diagnosis and treatment;the administration of a helpline for anyone affected by the disorder; and campaigning for epilepsy issues.
South Central Ambulance Service
What?
One of 10 ambulance services in England, the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is on a mission to deliver the ‘right care, first time, every time’.
Where?
SCAS serves Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, but one of its three main call centres is in Milton Keynes.
Why?
One of the key benefits of a career at SCAS is that the organisation is built on a learning culture, which means it puts people before process and recognises everyone has different needs and circumstances.
How?
SCAS has three main functions and, in turn, opportunities for career seekers. The first is the 24/7 999 emergency service, which deals with over 606,000 incidents each year with the support of emergency call takers, dispatchers and clinicians. The 111 non-emergency number service is also provided around the clock by over 500 staff, who answer 1.5 million calls a year. And lastly, the non-emergency patient transport service is provided by teams of ambulance care assistants and other support staff.
Take an in-depth look at Health and Social Care with our sector overview.
