How to become a care worker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
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
You'll usually need:
- 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
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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
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
- 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
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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)
Direct Application
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.
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Career tips
Time spent caring for someone you know also counts as having experience in a caring role.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in care from: