A Career In Care - What It Takes

We talk to one of our very own star team member Chantel to find out what it takes to have a rewarding and successful career in care.

Here at Bluebird Care Wandsworth we consider that being a Care Assistant is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs that anyone can do.  It takes a special kind of personality, dedication to other people and commitment to do the job well - but in return, it’s one of the most rewarding of careers.  

We spoke to one of our very best, Chantel, who first started with us as a Care Assistant almost 4 years ago. She has recently been promoted to become our Live-In Care Supervisor and Field Care Supervisor. We asked her to talk to us about what it takes to succeed in this, one of the least understood, yet essential roles, in our society. 




How did your career in care start?

Well before I started working in care I was a carer for my grandmother who wasn’t well and needed help with lots of daily tasks.  At the time, I also worked in retail, which I was not enjoying.  I had taken a course in Health & Social care whilst at school and working in care had always been something I thought about.  So, when I met Alice the Recruitment Manager, who described the kind of employers Bluebird Care Wandsworth were and what kind of opportunities there might be for progression, I decided to give it a go – and I’ve not looked back since!

What’s the best thing about being part of the Bluebird Care Wandsworth team?

Bluebird Care Wandsworth are such a family orientated business, welcoming and so organised that from the start, it was hard not to enjoy what I was doing. I didn’t know it was possible to enjoy going to work every day!
The best thing has been how everyone I met here saw my potential and was so willing to help me to grow.  I quickly learned that it was down to me to decide what I was going to do – stick with it or leave.  I decided to stick with it and as I matured and grew in my role, so the opportunities increased.  I was encouraged to access more training and over the years I’ve gained my level 2 and 3 Certificates in Health and Social Care.   After I was promoted to Team Leader, two additional promotions followed.  As a Live-In Care and Field Care Supervisor I have a lot more responsibility but similarly the rewards are greater as I now have even more input into creating the best experience of care for both our Care Assistants and our Customers and their families. 

Describe one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had at Bluebird Care Wandsworth?

We had one End Of Life Customer who was immobile and could no longer communicate.  We had cared for her for a while and had got to know the family well over her last few months. In this customer’s final days, we were able to support her to live her life the way she herself would have done had she been independent, helping her to visit the places that she had loved visiting with her husband and family. We made sure her final moments were happy and complete.  I’m still in touch with the family today and that’s a great feeling to have.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Care?

First and foremost, you have to be serious about the job.  At the end of the day we are looking after someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, aunt… I make sure I treat all my customers like I would my Grandmother. To have a rewarding career in Care you must consistently go above and beyond and look at the small details, the things we take for granted and do without thinking but which an older person might struggle with, like putting on shoes or tying their shoelaces. As Care Assistants, one of the purposes of our role is to give our Customers enjoyment of the things they love – and it’s not always the ‘big’ things that matter, so attention to details is important.

Would you like to find out if you have what it takes to join our outstanding team of Care Assistants? Call us TODAY and speak to Alice our Recruitment Manager on 020 8877 4950 or use our Contact Us.