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Helping Others To Stay Active and Involved

Bass Coast Shire Council’s new Home Carer recruits are about to start working in our Shire.

By Bass Coast - 30th March 2012 - Back to News

Council has a team of 65 Home Carers who support people to stay active and involved in their community. A Home Carer offers practical assistance to people who are frail aged or disabled. This can be doing their shopping; cleaning the house, cooking or assisting with personal care. This helps improve a person’s independence so they can stay active and living in their home.

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community Strengthaning Manager, Antionette Mitchell, said that each year Council funds up to six students to complete a twelve month traineeship in Home and Community Care (HACC).

"When the students have successfully completed their course, they are eligible to apply for any vacant homecare positions. While they are training, the students are paid to work up to 15 hours a week in the HACC program. We have had a very good response to this program and we are impressed with how enthusiastic the latest trainees are," said Ms Mitchell.

"In March we advertised for people to join the scheme. We look for a range of candidates with varied ages and backgrounds so that we reflect all of the types of people we will be assisting in the community."

Ms Mitchell said the traineeship was a great opportunity for anyone who has ever thought of becoming a Home Carer.

"Trainees end up with a professional qualification - Home and Community Care (HACC) Certificate III – and are supported throughout their training. If you think you may be interested speak, to Council’s Home and Community Care Team Leader, and look out for our next intake which may be later this year," urged Ms Mitchell.

"It’s a very worthwhile role in the community with flexible part-time hours and opportunities for further study and career options in Community Services. With our aging population this type of work is in demand."

Rochelle Harding was a student and has been working permanently with Council now for twelve months.

Rochelle says working with clients to help them to stay living at home for as long as possible is very rewarding.

"I started as a trainee Home Carer and now my experience and skills support clients like Audrey and all the people I work with, "said Rochelle. One of the best things about my role is building that rapport with people."

For further information about working as a Home Carer, contact Bass Coast Shire Council’s Home and Community Care Team Leader , Lesley Hammond, on 1300 BCOAST (226 278).

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com