Social Care & Health

Social Services

An Interview with Adam McKinlay, Support Assistant within Community Care.

First featured in the council magazine Eastwords. (March 2005)

1. What is your job title and how long have you been in post?

I'm a Support Assistant in Community Care located in the south of the Authority. I have held my current post for 4 1/2 years but previously worked for 9 years as a Social Care Worker at Dementia Outreach Project.

2. What did you do before you joined the Council?

I was a miner in the local Barony and Killoch Collieries before their closure and then for 1 year continued employment with British Coal at Castlebridge Colliery in Fife. I was then successful in securing a post with Ayrshire and Arran Health Board as an Occupational Therapy Helper which I remain extremely thankful for as it signaled a complete change in direction for me.

3. What does your job involve?

My job involves assessment, care planning reviewing and care management of people with Community Care needs. An important aspect of my job is to help people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged or oppressed by their situation, illness, disability or society to greater independence and control over their lives.

4. What did you do yesterday?

I had to catch up with some paperwork, so I spent most of the day in the office. I did manage a lunch time break to my mothers. She offered me a fry up but I declined and had 5 pieces of fruit (liar)

5. What is the most rewarding part of your job? (any examples
or stories about how you feel you have made a difference are welcomed)

The most rewarding aspect of my job is to see service users being empowered to retain or regain control of their lives with the help of the team I am a member of. Also to see Joint Working between Health Services and Local Authority making a positive difference in peoples lives.

6. What part of the job do you like least?

The Paper chase.

7. What personal qualities do you think you need for your role and why?

I suppose the usual things like being a good listener, being patient and being non judgemental are good starters. However having a sense of humour and being thick skinned helps!

8. Is East Ayrshire a good Council to work for?

To be honest I have no memory of working for another Authority so it is difficult to compare. Although I have just been reminded that I did work for Strathclyde Regional Council up until 1996 but that's too long ago for me to remember. What I can say is that I have had tremendous opportunities given to me during my time employed by East Ayrshire Council. I count being involved in the work that I do, having come from a mining background as a great privilege. The vocational and academic training given to me such as SVQ Level 3 and HNC in Social Care have contributed in many ways to my ability to do my job. To date I am currently undertaking the BA/Diploma in Social Work programme at Glasgow Caledonian University part-time route which hopefully a year from now should, I think qualify me as a Social Worker. (Roll on next year!)