Care worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

A college course may help you when you look for work.

You could take a:

• Level 1 Certificate in Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Diploma in Care
• T Level in Health

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could become a care worker by doing an adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship or a lead adult care worker advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Volunteering

You could volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, such as a care home, charity, hospital or hospice.

You can find volunteering opportunities from Do It and the National Council of Volunteering Organisations (NCVO)

DirectApplication

You could apply directly and train on the job. You'll find it useful to have experience of working with people.

Some employers may expect you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• sensitivity and understanding
• a desire to help people
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• active listening skills
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• business management skills
• physical fitness and endurance

What you'll do:

Care workers help vulnerable people manage their daily activities and live as independently as possible.

Your daily tasks will depend on the needs of the person you're caring for.

If you're helping someone who needs support to live at home on their own, you'll:

• help with washing and dressing
• make food or help with eating
• get to know their interests and needs
• do household jobs, like washing clothes and shopping
• monitor their weight and record any concerns they have
• check they're taking their prescribed medications
• support their physical and mental wellbeing through activities

Location : You could work at an adult care home, at a client's home or stay overnight at people's homes.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £14,000
Experienced : £25,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on shifts

Career Path:

While employed as a care worker you can develop your skills by training in specific areas, like autism awareness, communication skills or supporting people with dementia.

With experience, you can become a lead care worker. You can also move into more senior jobs, like managing people or services, if you get further qualifications.