Becoming a Carer

When thinking about what you want to do as a career its really important to do something because you want to. If you want to become a carer then it should be something you've been thinking about doing for a long time or in my case I just knew it was where I belong. You don't become a carer because you 'want a change' or you aren't sure what else to do.

Since starting my blog I have had a lot of people asking me how they could also get into working with children who have complex medical needs. I really enjoy talking to people and letting them know how they can further progress within the care community. I thought it would be good to make a post on how I got to do what I love and how you can to.

Personally I have never worked for a care agency, I know many people that do or have but that was never really something that crossed my path. I studied childcare at college and during this time we had to do work experience, I kept telling my lecturers that I didn't want to work in nursery or become a school teacher I just wanted to work with children with complex medical needs. After a year and a half of nagging they finally placed me within a family home with a child with additional needs. I was working alongside a small team and learning so much so quickly. I already had a lot of experience as I was looking after my niece, who has complex medical nes, since being a teenager so I had learnt about epilepsy and how to use a feeding machine and suction machines ect.

Whilst on my placement I met an amazing women, for the purpose of this post I will just call her W. W taught me so much, still to this day I think to myself 'what would W do?'. She helped me to find what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be and although she may not know she was a huge influence for me within my career and I thank her for that.

Once I had finished my college course I was lucky enough to be offered a position in the team and of course this was my dream so I snapped up the opportunity. I spent a few years with this family building my knowledge and went on many training courses. I loved my time there but one day I received an email that changed everything.

I was sent a job description for a 'special needs nanny' for a little boy who later turned out to be Tom. For some reason I couldn't get Tom out of my mind and said I would love to meet him and his family. This turned out to be the best thing I have ever done. As soon as I met Tom I knew that it was something special, he was someone very special and although he refused to open his eyes to me for the first 3 days we were going to have such a lot of fun together, and we sure do!

I suppose I never actively searched for jobs or pushed my way into care, I always say it has been a part of me for as long as I have been around. I was destined to care and I wouldn't ever want to do anything different. All I would say to others is that if you feel it in your heart, do it.

I would say that care is not easy, although I love what I do and I don't see it as a job, it is a way of life it isn't something you get into because you feel like a change or its the only thing you can think of doing. These children aren't guinea pigs they are children who want to have fun, play and build friendships.

If you are interested in talking further please feel free to contact me, I have had many people already ask how they can further develop their care career paths.