Yahoo News Jobs for the boys: the drive to get more men into social care roles
Men are living longer and more of them are living alone. The past 10 years has seen a 55% increase in numbers of men aged 65 to 74 who live on their own and almost half of all men who do so are 65 or older. An ageing male population adds pressure to an already stretched social care sector. But it also has implications for the workforce.
Men make up only 18% of the social care workforce; providers and service leaders say it is crucial to attract more so that those being cared for have the choice to be looked after by a man. But to do that they need to change the public’s perception that a career in care is only for women.
Adrian Routledge, 55, a support worker for learning disability and autism provider Dimensions in Cardiff, has been employed in the care sector for most of his working life. He admits: “I was only looking at the job as short-term – but 26 years later I’m still here.”
Originally a builder, Routledge was forced to change when he injured his back. He has supported people with both physical and mental health needs and disabilities. “It’s a rewarding and satisfying job,” he says. “On two occasions I have supported somebody to the point of them being able to live independently.”
More men would become support workers if they understood the variety of the role, he thinks. “People think it’s just about helping somebody to bathe or you just go out and do nice things with people. But it’s a multi-faceted job.” He may have to offer advice about relationships – including sexual advice – be a client’s advocate in meetings with hospital doctors, or help with financial decisions. The rewards are tangible, he adds. “When you support somebody you really feel like you are achieving something in people’s lives.”
But care providers have an uphill battle to persuade more men to follow in Routledge’s footsteps. Research by Anchor Hanover published in September revealed that 35% of the public still believe care is a “woman’s career”, while 85% of men say they would not consider career in care.
At Anchor Hanover, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for older people, 11% of support workers are male, rising to 13% of deputy managers and 20% of home and district managers and directors of care – figures which reflect the national picture.
Sam Leonard-Rawlings, head of organisational development at Anchor Hanover, says the group’s marketing material routinely includes pictures of men – both as employees and male customers. Its promotional video during this year’s apprenticeship week included two male employees – one a care worker, the other a caterer. “As a result of that video the number of men on our care apprenticeship programme increased to 14%,” says Leonard-Rawlings.
Related: 'Lots of lads I know wouldn't give it a shot': the men starting care careers
Kim Corsinie, Dimensions head of resourcing and volunteering, believes men are put off a care career because they believe it is poorly paid and has limited career paths.
“Men think it won’t give them the income they need to lead a comfortable life,” Corsinie says. Support workers, however, can potentially earn around £24,000, while locality managers’ salaries rise to £40,000 depending on the size of the area covered. “It can be a reasonably well-paid job with career potential – we are trying to get that message across.”
The number of jobs in the sector needs to increase by at least 36%, or 580,000 to about 2.2m, by 2035 to meet demand, according to sector skills agency Skills for Care. It is optimistic that its national recruitment campaign will boost male numbers.
New models of care, making greater use of technology, may also attract a different kind of male employee to the sector. With tongue slightly in cheek, Andy Tilden, Skills for Care’s interim chief executive, describes these as “geeks with emotional intelligence”. He warns: “The reality is we can’t just keep throwing people at the problem without changing the way that people work.”
Experience: ‘Every person working in care can offer something different’
In his early 20s, Sam Henderson turned his back on a career in catering to become a care support worker. Now a manager, he believes attitudes to men working in care have shifted
“I started off as a chef in a care home and had previously worked in a hotel. That was my introduction to care and it really opened my eyes,” says Sam Henderson. “Although I was working in the kitchen I really got to know the residents and I was really keen to get more involved and get rid of some of those misconceptions that care wasn’t a career for young men.”
Henderson gave up his job in the kitchen to go travelling; on his return he started his new career.
“My first job was as a mental health support worker in a small residential home. I worked my way up in the organisation and experienced a range of roles before moving into management,” he recalls.
Related: No job for a young man? Social care career myths busted
He later developed an interest in the care of older people and progressed to become general manager of Augusta Court care home in Chichester.
Run by Anchor Hanover, it caters for 46 residents, some with dementia. It also supports people at the end of life, and works closely with the local hospice.
Henderson believes attitudes towards men working in care have shifted.
He says: “I think things are changing. But I think it’s now becoming more acceptable for men to work in the sector and residents – both men and women – are more willing to accept care from a male member of staff. But I also think that every single person working in care can offer something different.”
As general manager, he has a role in recruitment and believes being male opens men’s eyes to a career in care: “It definitely does help.”
So what would he say to any man considering a move to the sector?
“My home is for people living with dementia and supporting people at the end of their life,” he explains. “You are helping them and their families at what is the most difficult time of their lives. But it’s so rewarding when you can see what kind of difference you can make and you do that by being part of a team.”
