Care Work, Then & Now

​The Care Work industry has evolved massively over the past century as society and its values have changed, alongside the needs of our population. We have evolved to community-based care from the days of institutions. This evolution shows us how the awareness of the importance of letting people live as independently as possible and with as much dignity as possible has grown substantially.

Early Days: Care work in the early 20th century consisted mostly of big residential facilities such as asylums or workhouses. These tended to be overcrowded and meant that patients were forced to live in poor conditions and received care that was not up to the high standards we would expect for ourselves and our loved ones today. This caused reform to improve contentions and set guidelines for minimum standards of care.

The Rise of the NHS: Once the NHS was established and free healthcare was available to all UK citizens, a significant change happened in care. Instead of caring just for the sick, society was able to introduce preventative care and move into community-based care. Community hospitals and health centres were built to tackle care within the community and the NHS began to employ care workers who were able to assist with various services.

Deinstitutionalisation: During the 60’s and 70’s, the support for independent living and dignity-based care was ever rising. This meant the closure of many large residential facilities. This care was taken over by community care services and was able to be provided to patients in the comfort of their own homes. Patients were able to access support with their daily living such as, personal care, meal preparation and household tasks. This time also saw the creation of day centres to allow patients to socialise and take part in recreational activities with other adults or individuals with disabilities.

Agency Care: In the 1990’s, the tendering and contracting out care services began and quickly became a competitive market. This caused a big change in the way that services were provided, with them becoming more customer focused. Patient and family needs were focused upon heavily meaning agencies had to meet these needs to establish a trusted reputation within communities, care homes and hospitals.

Today:The care work industry today is ever changing and shifting. It is more important and supported now than ever to allow people to live as independently as they can and with dignity. The demand for care services is ever growing and as such, the needs for care workers is at an all-time high. It’s more important now than ever to recruit and train care workers to meet the demand.

Nursing and Caring Direct are seeking Domiciliary Care Workers to join our teams in various locations across NI. We want to provide tailored, dignified care to patients from the comfort of their own homes, while working closely alongside families so they can be assured that their loved ones are in safe hands. Check out the role here: Domiciliary Care Work jobs · Nursing and Caring Direct