Tom Watson is a NorseCare casual care assistant at Robert Kett Court, Wymondham.

Tom Watson is employed by NorseCare as a casual care assistant at Robert Kett Court in Wymondham. He supports vulnerable adults and older people on a day to day basis, helping them with maintaining their independence, personal care and other tasks. Fiona Muller asked him about his work.

Why is it a good profession to get into?

I like helping people and working with different people on a daily basis – I enjoy working here because I am a people person and enjoy working with them.

The caring profession is a growing industry because we live in an aging population. I chose this profession because it will offer me progression and will give me a career in which I can grow and develop.

What does the work involve?

I am a casual member of staff at Robert Kett Court, so I can be called in at any time to relieve staff whilst they are on their holidays or when they are off work sick. I work a six and a half hour shift about four days a week. These shifts can be on any day of the week. The shift times are 7.30am–2.30pm, 2.30pm–9.30pm or 9.30pm–7.30am

I became interested in this line of work when my Nan was in the care home. I went to City College Norwich to do a BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social care and did my placement at Robert Kett Court. I then applied for a job here and got it. Since then I have completed my BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care – Care in Health Studies Level 3.

What are the positives/negatives of this profession?

My favourite thing about this job is that it gives me the chance to help others. There are lots of positives attached to my role – I get to work with a wide range of people and feel great at the end of the day because I have helped people to do things they can no longer by themselves.

On the negative side, I have to work weekends and work antisocial hours – but as this changes from shift to shift it isn’t that big a deal to me.

Is there much local demand for people trained in this area?

There are a lot of jobs available in the caring profession and if you are committed to doing it I would say go for it. It is a great job to get into.

There are currently vacancies at Robert Kett Court and also at other care homes in the Norsecare group. In fact, there is a big new specialist dementia care home planned which will open in Gorleston in 2014, so it will be a good profession to get into for job security in the future too. To find out more about jobs go to www.norsecare.co.uk

What would employers look for in someone applying for a vacancy?

To work in this environment you have to be a caring person with good communication skills and have a lot of patience. You need to be a people person, be confident and get some experience in order to get a job.

I didn’t get the GCSE grades that I wanted and so I did the BTEC first diploma to get my experience as you have to do a work placement as part of the course which can lead on to getting a job.

I like working at Robert Kett Court, there are fewer males than females working here and I would encourage anyone interested in working in care to find out more about the opportunities available.