Somerset County Council has launched a new jobs fair to help people looking for work find their perfect role in social care.

The recruitment event, which is being supported by the National Careers Service, takes place on Tuesday (November 30) at Somerset County Cricket Ground from 10am to 7pm.

Job seekers – or those looking to progress their social care career – will be given the opportunity to meet care providers and find out more.

Event organiser Sarah Hedges, engagement lead officer for the council’s Proud to Care scheme, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting this free event in partnership with the National Careers Service, and would encourage anyone interested in working in social care to pop along and find out more!.

“We’ll have 17 different providers available to answer questions on the day, free snacks and refreshments, and some great freebie goodies. We’ll be at Somerset County Cricket Ground all day, so do drop by and come and chat to us!” 

Sarah said career opportunities in social care include being an activities co-ordinator and create fun activities for both young and old people in care, or people could open their own home to support someone as a ‘shared lives carer’.

David Huxtable, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care said: “Social care is a very secure career choice in Somerset – we have high demand for social care here, and there are some excellent opportunities for career progression.

“Working in social care is incredibly rewarding in a way that few other jobs can compare – pursuing a career in care means supporting people to live happy, healthy, independent lives.”

Nigel Sandford-Henderson, head of the National Careers Service in the South West and Oxfordshire, said: “Social care plays a vital role within our local communities and events like this are a great way to meet people in the sector, get your questions answered, or even progress an existing social care career.

“If you are curious about social care and want support to find and apply for roles, do come along!” 

Vacant social care roles can be found at www.proudtocaresomerset.org.uk/jobs and range from helping people in their own homes, caring for younger people with a learning disability, to helping people in residential care.

Providers with vacancies can submit online by filling in a short form at: Proud to Care – submit a new job role – Somerset County Council

Full event details can be found at: bit.ly/SocialCareJobsFair