Recruiting carers of the future

“There’s more opportunities in care for progression and career building, and more flexibility in terms of hours and opportunities, than there ever has been.”

That’s Caroline Penman, Residential Services Operations Manager with Orkney Health and Care.

Together with colleagues from Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney, she is working to recruit Orkney’s carers of the future.

As part of this, two facilities in Orkney will open next week, to enable anyone interested in care to come along and speak to senior care workers - and even get help to apply on the spot for a role. Activities will be available to help keep children entertained so people with young families can come along.

The sessions are:

• Hamnavoe House – Monday 9 October between 10am and 1:30pm
• Glaitness Day Centre - Tuesday 10 October between 1pm and 4:30pm

The team are also working with KGS, Stromness Academy and Orkney College to invite students who may want to find out what being a carer involves to come along.

Working in care services in Orkney is hugely rewarding says Caroline: “It really is like being part of one big family, where you can see the tangible difference you’re making to the lives of the people you care for, and their loved ones.

“There may be people out there who would love to join our team, and deliver that kind of support in their community - but think it’s not possible because they can’t commit to traditional shifts perhaps because they have a young family.

“But our message is, that’s not the case – you are the future care workforce, and you can start in some form now. Life changes, kids don’t stay little forever, and a career in care can grow with you as your children get older and more independent.

“There’s scope to work out in the community or at facilities such as day centres and care homes, around school hours. You’ll have opportunity to take on training and qualifications to help you pick up more senior or full time roles in future.

“There’s also domestic and kitchen roles.

“We have to show people that the old days of inflexible shifts and getting stuck in the same roles are behind us, and we hope these recruitment events will help do just that.

“It’s so important to challenge those old ideas and work with our local community to encourage more people into care earlier, so we can face the future with an experienced, confident work force ready to support Orkney families.”

Caroline says no two days are the same in social care: “You could be helping run inter-generational activities or celebrations at a care home, which are aimed at building connections between residents and the wider community and supporting their mental health which we all know is so important – or you could be supporting an individual in the community to pursue their passions, do things they enjoy, and gain independence.

“Social care staff are highly trained, and there are so many areas to delve into, from dementia care to staff development, social work liaison, and movement and mobility for folks who are older or have other health issues – to name a few.”

As an adult social care practitioner with Orkney Health and Care, you could be working out in the community supporting individuals, or in one of the building-based resources within Orkney.

To find out more about working in adult social care, come along to one of the drop in sessions – or email Caroline Penman on  or phone 01856 87 3535.

The image on this page is of staff from Smiddybrae House with resident Kathleen during a trip to Sanday this summer.