Flexible Working in Care

That's right, care and support roles are flexible!

Care and support is a 24/7 requirement for a lot of service users, so many people believe that all jobs within the sector are built around 12 hour shifts, starting and finishing at set times several days a week. This is not the case, which is excellent news for jobseekers that want to work in a role that fits their lives and existing commitments. Since people’s care requirements differ, there are a wide variety of jobs available with varying levels of flexibility within the care field. 

We’re going to take a closer look at the types of job contracts you’ll find when hunting for a care and support role. 

Types of Contracts

Many care roles involve shift work. This means working for a set number of hours on specified days of the week, with varying start and finish times. The number of shifts you do and the number of hours per shift depends on your contract type. Let’s take a look at the most popular options.

Full-time

Full time roles involve a considerable commitment. You’ll often be required to work four or five times a week on consecutive days or with varying rest days in between. A full time contract will specify the required shift length, but oftentimes it ranges from eight to twelve hours. 

If you’re looking for a role in care and don’t have many commitments to work around, then a full time contract would suit you well. Working more shifts means more hours, increasing the salary you’ll receive - this is one of the most significant benefits of this contract type. 

Part-time 

Not all service users require care and support all day, every day. Most care settings are made up by a team of people, which means shifts have the tendency to be shorter. For these reasons, there are ample part time opportunities available. 

These roles may require you to work only a handful of days out of the week with longer shifts, or more days with shorter shifts spread across the week. Both types of part time contracts are available, so you can choose the best type of part time work to suit you.

Individuals who have other caring commitments, such as small children, may benefit from this type of work.

Bank Contracts

Many care and support settings rely on bank staff, also known as relief staff. This type of work means you pick up shifts as required, but don’t have a fixed number of hours to work each week. These roles are imperative for maintaining standards of care. 

Bank staff are equally as skilled as full-time workers, but they provide their services on a flexible basis. This contract option is ideal for anyone who has limited working hours available due to other commitments or responsibilities. Bank contracts can work nicely around both study and childcare and can be found in most settings, including care homes, supported living and providing care in someone’s own home. 

Weekend Only

Many contracts include working any day of the week, you can find specific weekend only roles available. Like bank and relief staff, these roles can help cover gaps due to sickness or unforeseen circumstances in a pinch. Weekend workers often have fixed schedules and working hours, but this will only be required of them two days a week. 

Weekend only roles are a form of part time work. You’ll often still be part of a team, so communication is key. These are convenient contract options for those who need their weekends free. These contract types aren’t as common as the previously mentioned ones, though they’re more common than you may think. 

Flexible Working Patterns

Care and support work can be an ideal choice for someone who needs flexibility within their work life. At different stages in your life, you may need to balance new commitments - fortunately this sector has a wide range of contracts available to suit various needs. 

For those who have more time and would like a larger income, full time roles are the answer. Anyone needs to balance other responsibilities and work can choose from part time, bank or weekend contracts. 

Flexible working is revolutionising the care sector, offering benefits to both professionals and organizations. By embracing flexibility, the care sector can attract and retain talented individuals, improve staff morale and productivity, and provide better care to clients. 

Here at The SKA Group Ltd, we are proud to be supporting this shift to more flexible working patterns. Get in touch today to see if we can find a care role that suits your schedule and helps you make a difference to those who need it most!