It is one of the most rewarding career choices you can make, but those people who become carers take great pride in allowing adults who need extra help to maintain their independence, dignity and control.

With an increasing elderly population in our region the sector currently looks set to have less people working in health and social care, just when it is needed the most.

In 2015/16 there were 194,300 over 65s living in Herts, and by 2030 this figure is set to rise to approximately 290.900, putting increased demands on adult social care services.

There were also 92,100 people with a disability living in Herts as of 2015/16, many of whom also require carer support.

In Herts this financial year, £359m will be invested in adult social care, and the cost of providing these services is rising year on year. It is hoped this investment will help to kick-start the social care job market in the region.

Nationally, it is estimated that there will be a 33pc increase in demand for those working in health and social care by 2030, but nearly a quarter of all care workers are expected to reach retirement age in the next decade - without the necessary numbers of care workers entering the profession and staying in it - to replace them.

That is without taking into consideration the number of unpaid carers - of which there were 109,000 recorded in Herts in the 2011 census - without whom social services would be overwhelmed.

Of course, this opens up an exciting opportunity for anyone looking for a new direction, and could lead to a more satisfying career.

Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting some of the different aspects of care work as part of our #CouldYouCare campaign, which aims to encourage more people into this profession.

In Herts we need to recruit 2,000 extra care staff each year, mostly to provide care for people in their own homes, just to keep pace with increasing demand for care services.

But the main reason people come into the sector in the first place is helping and supporting others.

Those in care work help people in their own homes, in residential homes or in a number of other places such as day centres or supported housing.

But as new ways of working are developed and strategies put in place to firm up future provision, the number of opportunities is only set to grow.

To find out about job opportunities as a carer in Herts, visit www.hertfordshirecarejobs24.co.uk