Job fair showcases opportunities in social care

12.00.00am GMT Thu 22nd Mar 2007

Jobs in social care and how they help to improve lives will be showcased at a recruitment fair staged by Richmond Council on Wednesday, 4 April.

Employers from the private and voluntary sector will be on hand to discuss a range of paid and voluntary work vacancies during the event at Twickenham Library in Garfield Road. Open to the public between 10am and 4pm, it coincides with a national social care recruitment campaign, run by the Department of Health, which aims to promote the wealth of job opportunities on offer. They include roles that help support older people, young people leaving care and children and young families. These positions often require few formal qualifications and place greater importance on previous experience, for example as a parent or carer. Age is no barrier and new recruits can look forward to induction and on-the-job training to learn new skills and gain qualifications.

Cllr Denise Carr, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, said:

"People working in social care careers make a real difference to people who need a little support in their everyday lives. It is the small things they do that can make such a big difference. They may help older people live more independently, aid people with disabilities or provide assistance to families needing respite care. This excellent recruitment event will allow people of all ages to find out about current vacancies, including part-time, full-time and voluntary roles. Experts from the voluntary and private sectors will be available to offer advice and information on how to pursue a career in social care. I would urge anyone with an interest to come along and find out more."