Ana Corner

Ana’s interest in a career in social care initially stemmed from a work placement where she had supported adults within a social care environment.

Ana has since pursued this interest through a combination of work experience and studies. She completed an Advanced 14-19 Diploma in Society, Health and Development, before gaining further qualifications and training working in positions as an Intermediate (Level 2) and Advanced Apprentice (Level 3) in Health and Social Care.

Ana has extended her studies even further and is currently working towards a social work degree at the University of Hertfordshire.

Working in adult social care makes you feel passionate about helping people. It’s the best feeling in the world to support someone to do something, however small, particularly towards the step towards independence.”

Career progression

Before embarking on her chosen career, Ana was unsure if working in adult social care would suit her. Following a period of rewarding and enjoyable work experience within adult social care, Ana started to consider opportunities where she could work and study towards those social care qualifications that would enable her to advance a career in the sector.

Ana started her journey by completing an Advanced Diploma in Society, Health and Development, alongside an A-level in Sociology at North Hertfordshire College. Towards the end of her studies, she was uncertain about whether to go to University straight away, so considered all options. Having carefully researched the Intermediate Apprenticeship (Level 2) in adult social care, Ana felt that this was the most suitable entry route for her, so successfully secured a role as an apprentice.

During her Apprenticeship, Ana worked in two different areas of the Learning Disabilities service, including a Day Centre and Supported Living. This gave her the opportunity to broaden her experience and use and adapt her new skills in various settings.

After successfully achieving her Intermediate Apprenticeship In Health and Social Care on the Adult Care Pathway (Level 2) Ana achieved an Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3), resulting in her securing a Community Care Officer role within Hertfordshire County Council. Ana feels that this was the catalyst that supported her decision-making process to progress a career in adult social care. The role entailed working alongside social workers and community nurses and gaining experience of multi-disciplinary teamwork.

She made this important career decision following her valuable insight and experience as a Community Care Officer. After her degree, Ana is keen to work with adults with learning disabilities. The degree offers varied work experience, so she is open to trying different areas like supporting adults with mental health issues and even adoption and fostering.

Obtaining my social work degree and other academic achievements will ultimately support me in securing future managerial and team leader roles. My understanding and experience of social care work is growing all the time. I would consider managing a care home or a multi-disciplinary team in the future. The options are endless.”

Ana’s experience is helping her to overcome challenges that often need to be addressed within social work. For example, supporting clients to manage challenging behaviour can sometimes be difficult, but improves through experience.

Ana has found that getting to the root of issues and helping clients to express themselves in other ways is very rewarding, as is turning a negative situation into a positive one.

Ana is keen to dispel any negative myths around working in social care. She says that the reality of working in social care is very different and positive.

I would definitely recommend a social care career, because it’s such a good feeling to help and support people. There’s really no other job like it and every day is different.”

You meet people from all different walks of life and backgrounds. It’s a fascinating area to work in. You can do all this, whilst moving up the career ladder, even if you don’t have the qualifications straight away. This type of work can make a positive change in you, supporting you to become more patient and accepting of others.”

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