'I've found my calling' says male care worker backing Scotland's recruitment drive

Care worker Lee Robertson is backing Scotland’s drive to recruit more people to the care workforce, describing it as a “satisfying career choice”.

Lee Robertson, a care worker at Enable Scotland, is lending his support to the Scottish Government’s eight-week recruitment campaign ‘There’s More to Care Than Caring’.

‘If you have the right qualities you’ll enjoy it’

Lee Robertson left behind a job in retail to work in the care sector. He helps care for 25-year-old Steven Imlah.

Lee Robertson said: “I love being a carer and I’m passionate about letting others know why it’s such a rewarding and satisfying career choice. “In my previous job, I honestly felt like I was working for the sake of it. But now that I’m caring for Steven, I feel like I’ve found my calling and come away every day knowing that I’ve made a big difference. It’s a good feeling.”

Across Scotland, some 145,000 people currently work in adult social care. This includes support for people with physical disabilities, dementia, autism, older people and those with mental health conditions.

In the past year, 38 per cent of care services reported job vacancies - unchanged from the previous year, according to new figures published by the Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Mr Robertson said: “Like any job, it’s not without its challenges but if you have the right qualities then you will enjoy it.

“You will also get the chance to build a great career. I’d urge anyone stuck in a bit of a rut or just looking for a change to consider making the move to be a care worker. Like me, you too might find your passion.”

The campaign ‘There’s More to Care Than Caring’ was developed in collaboration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

SSSC chief executive Lorraine Gray said: “This is a great campaign which will help attract more people to join the 200,000 people who already work in care in Scotland.

‘Working in care is a rewarding and fulfilling job with opportunities to learn while you earn and gain nationally recognised qualifications. It really is life changing work.”

Health secretary Jeane Freeman and Children and Young People Minister Maree Todd were at the campaign’s launch in Edinburgh on 27 January at the community hub Tribe Porty.

’Brexit presents a clear threat’

Jeane Freeman said: “As today’s report from the Care Inspectorate and SSSC highlights, one of the main difficulties services face when trying to fill vacancies is not having enough applicants or the right applicants. That is exactly what this campaign seeks to address.

“Brexit presents a clear threat to the future of our health and social care services and the EU workforce make a valuable contribution to this sector as well as others. As a responsible government we will continue to do all we can to support our health and social care services.”

To find home care jobs in your area click here