Opening title card: Pheon Academy presents Starting Your First Care Job.

If you're starting your first job in care, I'd like to take a moment to speak to you. When I first started working in care, I wanted so much to do right by the people I was looking after. I know that feeling of wanting to help while still needing someone to guide you. I still provide care today and I still care deeply about the person who needs our help and about the colleague beside me who might be finding their feet or having a difficult day.

So when I speak to you about starting this work, I'm speaking as someone who started where you are. There's so much to take in. You're getting to know people, understanding their needs, learning how they like things done. Some of what you're asked to do may feel unfamiliar or very personal. You want to help someone feel comfortable even while you're feeling nervous yourself.

Give yourself time. You deserve patient guidance while you learn. Please ask questions. Ask someone to show you again. If you haven't understood or you don't feel ready to do something safely, say so. The people supporting you need to know where you need help. You should be able to tell them without feeling embarrassed or judged.

I know care can be physically tiring and emotionally demanding. You may be supporting someone who is frightened, distressed or in pain. You may leave work still thinking about them. Sometimes a moment from your shift stays with you long after you get home. When that happens, please speak to someone you trust. You deserve to be heard and to have support with what you're carrying.

And as you learn, you'll begin to notice how much the everyday moments mean. Remembering how someone takes their tea. Explaining before you help them. Protecting their privacy. Listening when they need to talk and respecting when they want some quiet.

You're entering someone's life. Often when they need help with things they once managed for themselves. Taking time to understand what matters to them can help them feel safe and respected.

That means an enormous amount to me. And so does your wellbeing. I want you to have someone you can turn to. Someone who notices when you're having a hard day, checks how you're doing and helps you find your confidence. You deserve your breaks, patient teaching and kindness from the people around you.

That's part of why I created Pheon Academy. I want to share what I've learned and give you useful guidance you can return to as you grow in this work.

You don't have to arrive knowing everything. Keep asking, keep learning and let people support you. Welcome to care. I'm glad you're here and I want you to be looked after too.

Closing title card: Starting Your First Care Job. Free online learning. Start the course: https://pheonacademy.co.uk/free-learning/starting-your-first-care-job. People • Standards • Practice.

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