Social and Civil Services Jobs

Working in Social and Civil Services covers a range of jobs, from care assistants and nannies, to social workers, police officers or security guards. This category therefore encompasses employment opportunities within three different areas: private organisations, private households and the public sector.

Care assistants usually provide support to the elderly, in retirement homes or private households. They may also specialise on the personal care of handicapped people. Social workers support children or adults in need. Both jobs require a disposition to supporting and guiding others who are at risk or unable to support themselves without help. Working for the police, the military, as a security guard or firefighter requires a genuine interest in security and protection. Entrance tests are common and general fitness is required.

All above mentioned jobs have common goals: the protection of people, to promote social inclusion, to protect human rights and people’s right to social support and security.

People interested in either Social or Civil Services need the following skills:

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Sensitive and tactful
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Proactive and flexible

Social workers and those interested in security and police additionally benefit from: good negotiation skills, the ability to work with people from different backgrounds, IT skills and knowledge about the legal principles relevant to their professional area. care assistants, nannies and all jobs where people directly working with persons in need or at risk, additionally require: empathy, intuition and knowledge about basic medical treatments.

Working in the public sector or as a social worker usually requires a Bachelor’s degree, other occupations of this category require vocational training and as a Nanny or Au pair one benefits greatly from previous experience, which, however, is not required.

Within Social and Civil Services one can find employment in different areas:

• Civil Services: refers to different branches of the public sector and is concerned with the safeguarding of others, via, for example, the police and military. Social workers may also be employed by a governmental institution.
• The Private Sector: most care assistants and security guards are employed by private organisations such as retirement homes or security agencies. Care assistants may be employed by organisations, but could also spend their working hours in private households.

Job titles include but are not limited to the following:

• Social Worker
• Home Care Assistant
• Nanny
• Au pair
• Elderly Care
• Family Support Assistance
• Residential Support Worker
• Police officer
• Lifeguard
• Security Guard
• Firefighter