Peter - Community Support Worker, Disabled Children's Team

How long have you been in your job and what did you do before?

I have been in my current position since 2018. Prior to that I worked in commercial and charitable sectors in Welfare, training and recruitment.

What does your job involve and what is a typical day like?

I look after disabled children and take them out in their local community for the afternoon.  We can work on qualifications, which is evidencing the skills children learn on a session. We work on important life skills such as safety around traffic, making decisions, leisure etc. The activities are driven by the child’s influence.

Typically, to work with the child, I meet them from school or their home and we then go out in the local community to learn skills.  We would normally go to settings such as Parks, Playgrounds, Bowling, Cinema, Soft Play and Sports Centres. After an activity, we normally go for food, McDonalds, KFC, Carvery, Costa etc.

What’s the best thing/s about your job?

Spending time in the community whilst providing a child access and support to the community, which they would normally have limited access too. I also enjoy working with people and the job allows a mixture of working outdoors and indoors so I’m not sitting in front of a screen for most of my working hours.

What attracted you to apply for a job with RCT Council?

It is a local employer with a positive reputation.  Prior to this I was predominately working more than 100 miles away from my home.

What positives have you experienced in your career with RCT Council? (e.g. any highlights, career progression, training/learning and development)

This is a new career to me so I have benefited from exposure to a new industry which I am unlikely to get outside of RCT Council. Our manager has organised lots of high quality training over the past year, resulting in enhanced skills and even better team working and motivation.

What is the best thing about working for RCT Council?

You are unlikely to find another local employer that can offer the same level of opportunities for a career.

What would you say to someone thinking of applying for a job in social care at RCT Council?

Social Care is a massive industry. If you have a specific role and like that role and what to continue in that role, this can be well maintained within RCT Council. If you are looking for a progressive career this will be supported and achievable in RCT Council. If you are looking for diversity in an industry this can also be well supported with RCT Council.