Phil aims to help people ‘live better’
WORKING in care home management is a job with prospects, and high demand means pay is getting better.
Phil Benson, 33, is a care home manager at EachStep Care Home in Blackburn, Lancashire, run by national social care charity Community Integrated Care.
Phil says: ‘I was driven partly by seeing my grandad’s dementia worsening, and a placement in social care. Over five weeks I helped one patient become more mobile, so he went from needing full support to being more independent. I could see the impact that I could have.’ Phil chose to work for Community Integrated Care, which provides support to people with learning disabilities, mental health concerns, autism, age-related needs and dementia.
He says: ‘We help people to live better. I’ve been asked to speak at conferences, judge at award ceremonies and be a blog writer. It helps me become better at what I do.’
Roger Tweedy, from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies, says: ‘Demand for staff in the care sector is high so salaries have been rising. Within social care alone, vacancies average 90,000 at any one time.’
Mark Adams, chief executive of Community Integrated Care, says: ‘Demand for skills outstrips supply, especially at entry level, so we are investing in an ambitious learning and development programme.
See careers.c-i-c.co.uk.