Do I want to work in a care home? And do I need NVQs?

[UnclearPathToMedicine]

I know you can’t know what I want really! But maybe you can help with decision making.

I’m in my 40s, haven’t worked (have volunteered lots) properly for 15 years.

I want to return to work (ideally part time though to start with), but not in any field I’ve worked in before. So not education, office work, catering/bar work. I have postgraduate qualifications.

I really want to move into health care of some sort, emergency medicine ideally - but I feel too old to try and qualify as a full paramedic. Plus another 3 years at uni isn’t feasible. I know there are other roles like Ambulance Officer which may be more suitable but to get one I need some medical experience.

One suggestion has been to work in the care sector (obvs crying out for people atm) and gain some ‘sub-medical’ experience that way.

It does appeal, helping people, being part of a community, etc. The personal care side less so, but I’d get on with it.
I’m quite a practical person, stuff doesn’t faze me, I don’t faint at the sight of bodily fluids.

Some job ads I’ve looked at talk about NVQs, I don’t even really know what they are. (Too old!)
Do I need one? And all the levels? Quick look online and it’s 38weeks long for an intro course for health and social care. That seems long & their entry requirements seem more suited to a 16 yr old with limited academic qualifications, is there another route or can you jump in at level 3 for eg?

I do have to try and fit work around DC, so ideally school hours with some flexibility to start and end with school clubs. Some are specific about shifts that I couldn’t do, is it worth asking would they consider someone who could start an hour later?

Any thoughts welcome.

Bank staff might be better with regards to hours. Some will put you through training as part of your contract.

What is your Degree in. What sort or volunteer jobs have you got experience in. You could look at something like a support worker or care assistant at a band 2 level, I doubt you will get a band 3 straightaway but you could look at NHS Jobs and see what's on offer. Personal care will be the main part of the job. I dont think it will be easy to work school hours unless you go part time and starting an hour later isn't really feasible, by the time you arrive for a shift you will need handover, the staff will be busy but you could always ask. If you want complete flexibility you might have to do agency work,
What about something like a pharmacy assistant, therapy assistant, admin instead.

You don't need any additional educational qualifications (you are already educated to postgrad level and they are looking for NVQs which are vocational equivalents to GCSEs and Alevels) - any training you need will be given on the job

Have a look on your council website for council care work jobs. There will be a mix of care home/ reablement worker jobs and also perhaps some social care worker/ OT assistant type jobs as well.

The rates of pay aren't great but if you do get a council role it will also come with a good pension, pay progression and the opportunity to get to know the sector a bit better.

You can qualify as a social worker in around two years if that's something you haven't considered yet?

Thanks for the replies.

My degree is/was Psychology (2:1) over 20 years ago though (!).
My postgrad was a PGCE - (Middle School Maths specifically).

I’ve been a Maths teacher, worked in various office roles (I’m quite good at admin just don’t find it fulfilling), usual random other jobs; shops, bars, etc.

I’ve volunteered as: Cubs helper, vaccine centre volunteer, school governor (And as Chair), Trustee of a couple of charities, committee member of a couple of amateur music groups, volunteer teaching with kids with ESOL. Probably forgetting something.

The ‘expected’ path for me I feel is to continue with more voluntary roles, at the most volunteer in a charity shop, or maybe a quiet little admin job to keep my brain ticking over.
I could do a,k or any of those things but I want to be brave and make a big step.
If it doesn’t work out at least I’ll know I tried.

I don’t want to reach my 60s and wish I’d done something different 20 years ago which is how I feel now. I wish I’d gone into medicine but it seems to be such a family based thing and no one in my family ever has been. All education or officey type roles.

Thanks for the NVQ info, I’ll stop worrying about them, found an OU one that takes years. May as well push for the Paramedic degree in that case.

I don’t really fancy Social Work, maybe don’t know enough, but everyone always complains about them!

I’m very fortunate to be able to say I don’t really care about rates of pay. DH earns well and I don’t have to work, I just want to.
Obvs lovely to have a bit more cash I can spend as I please as it’s totally ‘mine’. And I want my DC to see me working if that makes sense?

I know the handover part is important, the earliest I can drop my youngest is 7.30 so I can possibly make an 8am start depending on location.