ELA VOICES SERIES - Why the Best Care Workers Often Struggle to Put Themselves First By Charlotte Cardwell
After supporting many learners in adult care over the years, one thing becomes very clear very quickly: the people drawn to this profession tend to share compassionate, patient qualities and a genuine desire to help others. They often don't enter the sector for recognition or career progression. They work in care because they simply want to help others. Many have experiences in their own lives that opened their eyes to how much the sector needs people like them.
But over time it becomes clear that really making a difference involves much more than kindness alone.
Behind the scenes, there are many skills that make a truly brilliant care worker, with communication being one of the most important. Care workers often need to understand what someone is feeling, even when that person cannot always clearly express it. They notice small changes in behaviour, mood or health that others might miss. They balance empathy with professional judgement and advocate for the people they support every single day.
"There is also a huge amount of emotional resilience involved in care work."
Supporting people through illness, vulnerability or end of life can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Care workers carry a great deal of responsibility and often work in environments where every decision matters and every moment counts.
One thing that stands out when working with learners in adult care is the type of personality the sector attracts. Many carers are naturally selfless people. They are used to putting other people's needs first - the individuals they support, their colleagues, and often their own families too. If they didn't carry that instinct to care so deeply for others, they simply wouldn't stay in the profession.
Because of this, one of the most common things I hear from learners is that studying can feel heavy at first. It means setting aside time to focus on your own development. For people who are used to constantly prioritising others, this feels different - and it's easy to push this priority to the bottom of the list.
Many people in care have spent years focusing on others. I often hear that taking time to study can feel selfish or less productive. But developing professionally is not selfish. In many ways, it is one of the most important things a care worker can do. Learning more about safeguarding, communication, person-centred care and professional responsibilities genuinely strengthens the quality of support that can be provided to others. When carers develop their knowledge and confidence, the people they support benefit too. Training also gives care workers something that many of them have never had before: recognition.
"It is very common for learners to have worked in the sector for years before
beginning a qualification."
Some even feel it's too late to enrol on an apprenticeship. They may have built strong relationships with the people they support and gained a huge amount of experience along the way, but they have never had the opportunity to really step back, fully reflect on those skills, and invest in their own future.
Last year I supported a learner who had worked in the sector for over 15 years. She never expected to move into management, but overnight everything changed. She went from being one of the team to leading it, enrolling on the Level 5 Leadership and Management in Adult Care apprenticeship at the same time.
When we first met, she was overwhelmed.
"How am I meant to manage a service, lead a team and complete an apprenticeship?" she asked. Her confidence was low and the idea of prioritising her own learning felt almost impossible when the responsibility of running a service had suddenly landed on her shoulders.
At first, we focused on small steps - reflecting on real situations in her setting, tailoring learning to what was happening in the moment, and building on her professional judgement, gradually developing the knowledge and confidence needed for leadership. Over time, something shifted. She began to realise that everything she was learning was strengthening the people around her too. The more confident she became, the more supported her team felt. The more supported the team felt, the stronger the service became. That became her anchor. Eventually, something clicked. She stopped seeing the apprenticeship as something she had to do for herself and started seeing the impact her development was having on everyone around her.
"Today she leads that service with confidence."
The team are stronger, the business has improved, and the people receiving care have benefitted the most. But the biggest change was this: after many years of hard work, she realised she deserved it. That moment of recognition and realisation is incredibly powerful. Since completing her apprenticeship, her team have followed in her footsteps, recognising the opportunities that learning creates for progression. She laid the groundwork for a future generation of carers. Some have become more interested in mentoring new staff, taking on senior roles, or developing in specialist areas such as dementia care or safeguarding.
For everyone who takes that step and invests in their own development, it confirms something we already know: their work matters. The sector relies on people who are willing to go the extra mile for others. So why do people working in this profession often lack the belief that they deserve to give this to themselves?
Taking time to invest in your own professional development does not take away from the care given to others, it strengthens it, helping carers continue making a real difference to the lives of the people they support. Watching learners grow in confidence and recognise their own value is one of the most rewarding parts of my role.
Because when care workers develop their knowledge, confidence and professional voice, everyone benefits.
And sometimes the most important step a care worker can take is recognising that their own growth matters too, and that they deserve it.
If you would like to discuss any of our programmes in Health & Social Care, Residential Child Care, Early Years or Business, please reach out to our team on 0208 017 1425 or email info@ela-training.co.uk.
