At the age of only 19, David is an acting senior support worker at Sunnyside House in Essex, a residential home for adults with learning disabilities that specialises in preparing young adults to move into their own accommodation.

Hanna Munro

Over the last four and a half years, Hanna has worked as a part-time Senior Occupational Therapist for Cumbria's Risedale Estates. She supports the company's six care homes that specialise in residential nursing, dementia and mental health.

Hillary Maz Viwana

Care Co-ordinator, Holistic Community Care

Hillary is relatively new to the social care industry, having worked in his first, and current role of Care Coordinator, for only seven months. Although it's early days and he's on a steep learning curve, Hillary already feels that the sector will be able to provide him with a progressive career path and hopes to achieve success through hard work and commitment. His employer, Holistic Community Care, provides supported living and care for service users in their own homes.

Jane Haywood

Jane has been in social care for 28 years, during which time she has held a number of roles. She has worked at Derby City Council for 22 years and currently works with adults in the Health and Housing department. At the age of 48, Jane has a dual role of Principal Social Worker and Best Interest Assessor.

John Atkins

John Atkins has worked in social care since 2007 and brought with him extensive management skills and first-hand family experience of the sector. At the age of 46, he manages one of the franchises of Home Instead Senior Care in Surrey, an independent UK home care provider. The organisation is devoted to providing the highest quality care for elderly people in the comfort of their own homes.

John Garrity

Although John started in the social care sector later in his career, he is delighted to have made the move from the hospitality industry and feels he's now found his niche. He has worked as a carer for four years at the Executive Care Group's Crystal Court Care Home in Harrogate. The care home offers nursing for elderly people that need general and dementia care.

Julie Allen

Office Manager, Wealden Community Care 

Julie Allen has worked in a social care environment for nine years with Wealden Community Care in East Sussex. As Office Manager Julie's remit is varied and covers office-based activities to personal care in the community. The flexibility of the role also allows Julie to continue to engage with people who use the service, which she finds most rewarding.

Sales and Marketing Manager, Prime Care Community Services

Mike Allistone is relatively new to the health and social care sector but has found his career move to be the most rewarding yet. As Sales and Marketing Manager for Prime Care Community Services, Mike is primarily responsible for promoting the care services of the seven branches covering East and West Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset. Prime Care offers services mainly for elderly people who are physically frail or housebound and supports them to remain as independent as possible.

Philippa Thompson

Chief Executive Officer, Independent Living Association 

Philippa Thompson started working in the social care sector in January 2011. She is a committed and career-minded professional and at the age of 46, has progressed to become CEO of the Independent Living Association (ILA), a user-led charity that helps people with care needs to live independently and to maintain their independence.

Stephanie Taylor

Support Worker, Certitude 

At the age of 24, Stephanie is very focused on a career in social care. She began her career as an apprentice at Certitude and believes that the opportunities to progress in this sector are unlimited. Through 650 staff, the organisation supports over 1,700 people with learning disabilities or mental health needs in London boroughs and neighbouring counties.

John Cook

Personal Assistant employed directly by client

John has worked in social care for a year and is already feeling the benefits of his first role as a personal assistant. At the age of 26, he moved into the industry having decided to make a total career change. He is keen to learn and evolve in his role and newfound career, through on-the-job experience and training.

 Ben Rosamond

Senior person-centred planning facilitator, Sunderland City Council

From an early age Ben had an interest in the social care sector, as he father managed a day care centre for the elderly people. However, when he left school, he wanted to work in a sporting capacity. The catalyst for Ben's career change came during a course where he had the opportunity to support young people with learning and physical disabilities. Now, at the age of 35, Ben has gained almost 20 years' experience of various social care roles and settings and hasn't looked back.

Alexandra Finnegan

Personal Assistant

Alexandra has worked in social care for seven years and has had a variety of roles, including working in residential and nursing homes, and as a  community nurse. She initially started working in the sector to consolidate some of the basic skills she was learning as a student nurse. She returned to social care as she was looking for a role with more flexibility and enjoyment.

Donna Candland

Personal Assistant

Donna Candland, 42, works as a personal assistant for a gentleman who purchases his own care. She has worked in social care for the past fifteen years following a career in upholstery.

Helen MacGregor

Personal Assistant

Helen originally started her career in the police force but after two years decided it wasn't the career for her. She moved into security but was made redundant in 2009, leaving her looking for work. The only jobs available were in care and although she had no previous experience began working in domiciliary care.

Helen currently assists a 17 year old boy who suffers from autism and schizophrenia.

Melanie Bukowski

Personal Assistant

Melanie Bukowski, 45, has worked in social care since November 2008 as a personal assistant (PA) to people in their own homes.

Prior to a career in care, Melanie worked in a factory and an office environment but yearned for a change. She cared for her elderly father in his own home for 15 years until he went into a care home and felt she should be putting her care skills to good use elsewhere.