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- Requires tact and sensitivity, and the ability to relate to people from a wide variety of backgrounds
- Option to progress to a more senior role, managing people or services
- Depending on the role you may be expected to stay overnight on a rota basis, or live in the residence
As a care worker, you'll be helping people in their own homes or in day centres, residential or nursing homes.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Getting to know clients and their interests and needs
- Helping with personal care like washing, using the toilet and dressing, food preparation
- Feeding and giving out medication
- Carrying out general tasks like housework, laundry and shopping
- Helping clients manage their budget, pay bills and write letters
- Going with clients to and from a residential home
You could also be supporting families with new caring responsibilities:
- Giving emotional and practical support to children and young people
- Working with other health and social care professionals to provide individual care and development plans
- Helping to organise leisure activities
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You may be paid more for night shifts and weekend work. Some home visit jobs may pay only for the time you spend with a client. You may work part-time. You could be asked to work shifts, including weekends or evenings.
Depending on your role you may be expected to stay overnight on a rota basis, or live in. The job can be physically demanding. You may need to wear a uniform.
You'll need
This role requires tact and sensitivity, and the ability to relate to people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
There are no set requirements, but you'll find it useful to have some experience in a caring role. This could be personal experience of caring for someone you know, or voluntary work with an organisation that supports vulnerable people. You'll be working with children or vulnerable adults, so you'll need Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
You could take a college course such as Level 1 Certificate in Health and Social Care and Level 2 Diploma in Care which may help when you look for work.
You could also get into this job through an adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship or a lead adult care worker advanced apprenticeship.
You could also apply directly and do training while in the job. You'll find it useful to have experience of working with people. Some employers may expect you to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and Maths, or equivalent qualifications.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, some care workers choose to specialise in specific areas, like autism awareness, communication skills or supporting people with dementia.
You could progress to a more senior role, managing people or services. As your career develops, you can move on to higher level qualifications, such as a foundation degree, social work degree or Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care. Some people use care work as a stepping stone into other caring professions such as social work or nursing.