2023-02-16 15:29:02
Senior manager at Hft speaks out about development opportunities in the social care sector
A senior manager at national learning disability charity Hft is encouraging people to consider a career in adult social care to help steer the future of adults with learning disabilities and change the face of care and support.
Hft’s Interim Head of Care and Support for the East, Ian Earey, has spoken out about his personal career journey and development opportunities in the social care sector. Ian has been working for Hft since 2017 and more recently became Interim Head of Care and Support for the East region.
However, his journey into social care was not set in stone and he had a rather unexpected introduction to the sector.
He first got involved with social care in 2008 when he was made redundant from his warehouse job. Having left school with few qualifications, he was unsure where he would find his next job opportunity. Yet, thanks to a family friend, he was made aware of a support worker role that had become available within a residential setting and was quick to apply for the job.
Ian openly admits, however, that he had never given much thought to working in health and social care. He had always been around people with disabilities growing up, with his mother managing care homes for adults with learning disabilities, but it was never a career he envisioned for himself.
He says, “Social care has historically been, and still is, surrounded by a great deal of stigma – about what we do and how we do it. For me, it didn’t seem like a job a young man would do but I was instantly proved wrong – there are so many aspects that have surprised me.”
That is until this unexpected opportunity arose and, since then, Ian’s career has only developed further alongside his unwavering passion for care and support.
In his current role as Head of Care and Support for the East at Hft, Ian oversees six areas in the east of the UK, providing operational and strategical support to Registered Managers. He ensures Hft’s services provide care and support to adults with learning disabilities in line with the charity’s values and missions, government regulations and local authority contracts.
Ian spoke about why he wanted to progress to management in the social care sector:
“One of the major reasons I work in health and social care is because we have an opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Some days this impact could be small and others big.
“When I started as a support worker I remember helping a young man to tie his laces. Although a small achievement, I remember how much joy he got out of that. It then clicked that, if I was able to lead a team, I could get four or five staff working this way and then have an impact on four or five supported people.
“I soon realised that as you progress within management, your reach becomes larger and larger. Although your impact might not be as immediate as helping someone tie their laces and achieve a new goal, it can be a lot bigger such as being able to provide appropriate support packages, housing and services.
“Admittedly, health and social care isn’t perfect – there are still areas in the sector that need vast improvements to really ensure people with learning disabilities are given the same opportunities as anyone else. But, being in a senior leadership role gives me the ability to steer and change the future, enabling us to change the face of care and support.”
Ian is hoping to inspire others who are on the fence about working within social care, or even those who have never before considered working in the sector. He concluded, “I would absolutely encourage anyone looking for work to consider social care.
“At the moment, health and social care is not universally recognised for its opportunity for development. But in reality, there are so many opportunities available for personal growth in the future. This, alongside making a difference to the people we support, makes it all incredibly rewarding.”
If you are interested in a career supporting people with learning disabilities to live the best life possible, visit hft.org.uk/jobs.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
