"Care Ambassadors engaged their audience in a lively workshop covering the qualities you need to be a good care worker, the skills you can learn, and the wide range of career opportunities open to you - exploding a few myths and misconceptions along the way! If you thought this was a job you do because you can't do anything else - prepare to be amazed!"

Care Ambassadors was created and developed in the South West. It is now a Skills for Care initiative and has a nationally recognised identity for raising the profile of careers in social care.

Care Ambassadors are qualified and experienced care workers who promote the image of social care and act as role models to inspire and encourage people of all ages to consider careers in the sector.

The initiative aims to address the poor image of care work which has in the past led to difficulties in recruiting staff. Care staff are now required to be trained to a higher level and carry greater responsibility than ever before, and this requirement can only escalate as care needs increase and diversify. To sustain this vital workforce, it is essential that more people are encouraged into the profession. This can only be done by raising the status and image of care work, and demonstrating the career routes and opportunities available.

Initially the Care Ambassador initiative was aimed at schools, students, teachers and parents, but it was soon realised that this should be extended to reach a wider number of people who may be ideally suited to working in the sector, including women returners to work, men, lone parents, migrant workers, retirees, carers, and those who may be looking for a career change.

Projects now target the wider community and recruit Care Ambassadors of all ages and levels of experience, and, in several projects, people who use services are included in Care Ambassador teams to promote the impact of care staff and services on their lives.

Care Ambassadors across the South West are involved in programmes of working with schools, colleges, the Society Health & Development Diploma and Apprenticeship partnerships, and a wide range of community groups and organisations such as Jobcentre Plus and Connexions. They offer guidance and advice on career opportunities available, and help to facilitate creative work experience placements in a wide range of care services and settings. 

There are currently seven Care Ambassador projects in the South West, and more than 40 projects and 1,000 Care Ambassadors throughout the country.

The Care Ambassador vision:

• To create an identifiable image for social care
• To enhance and change perceptions about careers in social care.
• To raise the image and status of the social care workforce
• To increase recruitment into the social care sector
• To inspire personal and professional development in the existing workforce
• To help achieve a highly trained workforce to meet future demands

"As a result of our involvement in the Care Ambassador event we employed four new care staff"

What is a Care Ambassador?

Care Ambassadors are qualified and experienced care workers who act as role models to inspire and encourage others to consider careers in social care.

They are nominated by their employers and chosen for their enthusiasm, commitment, confidence, the wish to portray a positive image of the care sector, and the ability to convey their passion to others in an informed way.

Care Ambassadors are given presentation skills training before they join a locally co-ordinated programme of events in which they work with other Care Ambassadors to promote careers in care.

Care Ambassadors have to date worked with schools and colleges, JobCentre Plus, Connexions, Diploma Partnerships, and a range of other stakeholders and community groups including single parents, carers, early retirees, ethnic minority, and youth services to promote careers in care and facilitate taster sessions and work experience placements. They have also taken part in TV, radio and press features and countless careers events. In fact, you will probably find that Care Ambassadors can't stop promoting their work even when off-duty!

Care Ambassadors' time is arranged with their employer well in advance