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Care worker

Alternative titles for this job include Care assistant, support worker, nursing home assistant

Care workers support vulnerable people with their daily activities and help them to live as independently as possible.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 45 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

Meet Gee

Gee has been a care worker for 6 years and continues to train on the job.

1 minute 40 second watch

View transcript

Hi, I'm Gee and I'm a care worker for Choice Care Group. I've been a care worker for about 6 years, but it's been a variety of learning disabilities and mental health. But I would say learning disabilities is my forte.

It can involve anything from cooking, cleaning, even doing, like, health and safety checks. Going out and having fun or having fun in the home as well.

Every job, you have a bad day, but in care, when you have a bad day, you don't see it as much as a bad day because you know you’re still making a difference.

I did child development in school because that was like the only really healthcare related thing you could do. And then I went on to do health and social care at college. I did level 2, and then I did level 2 childcare, and I was going to go onto level 3 childcare, but I decided that I was like, I didn't want to be in the classroom anymore. I wanted to get out and make a difference and actually learn on the job.

There's like different training we do on the job, all sorts of training. And I am working on my level 3 now, level 3 and 4 with a goal of starting my level 5.

I think I've learned all sorts of skills. Like your basics, your cooking, your cleaning. And about vehicles, you know, like you wouldn't expect coming into care that you'd need to know like a lot of that, but you learn it as you go and then it helps you in your own life.

Communication skills you learning different like Makaton, how to use PECS [Picture Exchange Communication System], like, you wouldn't know that until you come into care that there's so many ways of communicating, even just body language. So you need to have good communication skills.

Have an open mind. Definitely. Like, every day is different. And when you see the difference you’re making, it makes you forget about anything else.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

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

College

You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.

Courses include:

  • care
  • health and social care
  • T Level in Health

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a care organisation or the NHS.

Apprenticeship options include:

  • Health and Social Care Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • 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

More Information

Volunteering

You can volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, like a care home, charity or hospice. Volunteering in the NHS is also a good way to get work experience in care work. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can find further opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it.

Direct Application

You can apply for care worker jobs directly. If you get the role, you'll be given on-the-job training by your employer.

It's important to be kind, caring and have a respectful attitude towards people who need care and support.

Some employers might want you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent. However, many will offer training to applicants who have the right personal qualities.

More Information

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:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You might find it helpful to have a driving licence, for example, if your role involves travelling between clients to provide care at home.

A good level of fitness is useful, because you may need to help lift or move people as part of this job.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Daily tasks will differ depending on whether you work with a client in their own home or in a care setting.

You could:

  • chat with clients and get to know their background, interests and needs
  • help with washing, dressing and personal care
  • make food, assist with eating and make sure medication is taken if needed
  • support clients to take part in physical and social activities
  • do routine checks of weight, temperature and blood pressure
  • notify senior staff of any concerns over clients' health and wellbeing
  • keep client records and care plans up to date

Working environment

You could work at an adult care home, at a client's home or stay overnight at people's homes.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

While employed as a care worker you can develop your skills by training in specific areas, such as:

With experience, you can become a senior care worker, or palliative care assistant.

You can also move into care team supervision or care services management, if you get further qualifications.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Adult Care Worker Apprentice

  • Wage: £23,816 a year Annually
  • Location: Either Penzance, Hayle, St Ives, Helston, Falmouth Truro or Camborne.

Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: CHATHAM
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Diploma in Healthcare Support

  • Provider: HEART OF YORKSHIRE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Castleford

Diploma in Healthcare Support (RQF)

  • Provider: TEND TRAINING LTD
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: Not known
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

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  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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