Home is where the heart is and nowhere is this truer than in the world of social care. But how do you know whether to put your heart into working in a care home or into working as a home carer?

Let’s take a closer look at the subtle differences in these two environments . . . and how they might ultimately affect your choice of a social services role from nw1jobs.

First of all, let’s talk about the level of contact.

Working in a care home with many residents often means you’ll spread your time and attention between a range of clients, all with varying needs. With your focus on a variety of ailments and conditions, you’ll gain a wide experience in care methods.

As a home carer, however, you’re more likely to be assigned a smaller number of specific, long-term clients with whom you can forge strong bonds and relationships. You’re also more likely to gain a deep understanding of their habits and needs.

When considering which role you want to play in a vulnerable person’s life, ask yourself how good are you at helping them adjust to change?

If you’re someone who can put people at ease and bring a sense of security, perhaps a care home is the right environment for your skills. Making the transition from independent to assisted living can be a confusing and complex experience for many people and requires your sensitivity and patience.

Home carers, on the other hand, visit people in the comfort of their own personal space. Here the challenge of transition is not with a different environment but with becoming accustomed to and comfortable with a stranger (initially) coming into their life. This situation demands high levels of respect and patience to build trust.

While matching skills to the right role is important, choosing where to work can also come down to something as simple as logistics.

For example, home carers may have a caseload of several clients who all live in different locations. Having a driving licence, therefore, is a must and with some care organisations access to a private vehicle is necessary.

This also applies to the nature of home-care tasks: you may have to take clients to outside appointments, do their shopping or attend unscheduled call-outs.

Conversely, if you work in a set location, such as a care home or hospice, it can be easier to co-ordinate public transport and you’ll never be asked to chauffeur clients.

When it comes to career progression, in a residential care home setting, there are opportunities to become a specialist in a particular area, such as palliative care or dementia. Some care homes are specific in the needs that they cater to and, as such, afford carers the chance to boost their niche skills.

In a home setting, while carers perform specific roles related to their experience, it’s more likely you’ll be expected to perform a variety of jobs – everything from personal care and hygiene to household tasks. This makes for a great all-rounder who can transfer easily into other job sectors.

Ultimately, it’s largely a personal preference whether you want to work in a care home or as a home carer. But, regardless of the setting, above all, it’s vital you bring the passion and empathy to excel as a carer.

If your heart is set on a challenging new role in social care, check out the latest social services vacancies on nw1jobs.