The caring career all mums should know about

Returning to work but want something that will fit in with the kids? This could be just the chance you’ve been waiting for.

If you’re a mum looking to get back into the workforce, it can be hard to know where to start. Finding a role that meets your requirements, both personal and financial, and fit in with the juggle that comes with being a working mum might seem impossible.

A career change that works for mums

Fortunately, the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by the government in 2013 has meant a dramatic increase in the demand for a particular type of employment that may just tick all the boxes for working mums.

The scheme enables Australians with disability to access a variety of support services, including the aid of care workers. And it’s this important role that many mothers across the country are now finding offers the magic combination of being both rewarding and flexible at the same time.

“It fits in well with motherhood”

Michelle Cox from Chadstone, Victoria, is 43 and mum to one-year-old, Murphy. Michelle recently switched from her job in IT to a new career as a disability support worker.

“I heard about it through my husband, James, who also works in the care industry,” she says. “I liked the idea of helping people and thought being able to have more choice over when I worked would fit in well with motherhood, especially as I can choose to work evenings, nights or weekends if I want to.”

Common sense and compassion

Despite having no experience as a carer (“apart from being a mum which has come in very handy in terms of some of the skills I need”), Michelle says the four-day intensive training course she undertook with her new employer ONCALL put her in good stead for her new role.

“It’s more about being a caring person who can learn on the job and use common sense and compassion – qualities which most mums have in abundance,” she explains.

“No two days are the same”

Michelle also likes the variety of being a disability support worker.

“No two days are the same. It’s been a steep learning curve and it has challenged me but in a good way,” she says.

“I love the rapport I’ve built with my regular clients while the support from ONCALL has been fantastic. Any questions, I just call them and they get back to me straight away. There’s that nice balance of being able to work independently but with the knowledge that there’s a team looking out for you.”

Mums as valuable employees

The truth is, motherhood develops not only practical skills but also abilities which are highly sought after by employers including multi-tasking, collaborating, delegating and people-managing.

As mums, we recognise our worth as employees with almost 70 percent of us believing that the skills we’ve learnt as a mum make us more employable and better at our jobs. But of course, the trick is finding an employer with the same insight and who will harness those skills in a career that works on all levels for mums – and their many commitments.

“I’ve got the best of all worlds”

For Michelle, that career is proving to be a caring one.

“I’m so glad I switched jobs,” she says. “Working in the care industry gives me the best of all worlds. I’m earning, I’m developing a whole new career – one which is making a real difference to people’s lives – and yet I’m still seeing more of Murphy and James than I ever would have if I’d stayed in my old job. As a mum, that’s pretty perfect.”

(This is a sponsored post for ONCALL)