‘More than a job’ campaign launch

A new campaign has launched in Argyll and Bute to encourage people to consider a career in social care. The More Than a Job campaign comes from learning disability charity ENABLE Scotland. The charity says that more than 300 people with learning disabilities are known to Argyll and Bute Council and many of them are in need of dedicated staff to care for them. The charity, which has offices in Helensburgh, Dunoon, Campbeltown, Lochgilphead and Oban, says it wants to encourage more people from communities to consider a rewarding career in social care and join existing teams in the area. Theresa Shearer, CEO of ENABLE Scotland, said: ‘Social care really is more than a job. Our dedicated and hard-working staff across Argyll and Bute would testify to that. ‘They work tirelessly to provide essential support to some of the most vulnerable members of our society and make a difference day in and day out. Their work offering personalised social care truly transforms lives and has facilitated the move from institutional care to people living in their own homes. In turn, people with learning disabilities have become active members of their communities and live the lives they want to lead. ‘Through our More Than a Job campaign we want to raise awareness of the rewards that come with a career in social care, not just from training, career progression opportunities and the Scottish Living Wage, but also from making a real difference every day to the lives of people with learning disabilities.’ ENABLE Scotland currently provides support to people with learning disabilities across 22 local authorities in Scotland and employs more than 1,800 people. ENABLE Scotland staff offer support with tasks including assisting with shopping, personal care, mobility, food preparation, household chores, attending health appointments and planning and engaging in social activities. Across Scotland there were 23,186 adults with learning disabilities known to local authorities. This equates to 5.2 people with learning disabilities per 1,000 adults (16-plus) in the general population. The charity recently announced plans to extend its reach through a collaboration with charity Sense Scotland. The move is expected to benefit the individuals and families they currently support, and for any savings made from the collaboration to be reinvested in improving the pay and skills of workers and providing more individualised care. This year ENABLE Scotland was shortlisted for a Charity Employer of the Year award at the s1jobs Recruitment Awards 2018. Ms Shearer added: ‘We look forward to growing our fantastic team in Argyll and Bute, offering training, support and career opportunities to the brightest talent in the area.’ Anyone interested in a career in social care should visit www.enable.org.uk for further information.