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Senior care worker

Alternative titles for this job include Senior care assistant, adult social care support worker

Senior care workers provide physical and emotional support to individuals and supervise teams of care assistants.

Average salary (a year)

£15,500 Starter

to

£22,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

on call on a rota

How to become a senior care worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directy

College

You could do a college course in care work, for example:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
  • Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course
  • 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

More information

Apprenticeship

You could do a lead adult care worker advanced apprenticeship to get into this career and then take further training on the job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More information

Work

You could start as a care support worker and move into a senior role through further training and promotion.

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience in social care or health.

Employers may also ask for a qualification in care or health.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in care from Think Care Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • business management skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

  • supervising a team of care assistants
  • writing care plans
  • monitoring patients’ vital signs, like blood pressure and heart rate
  • completing patient medication records
  • developing and leading activities for service users
  • keeping families up to date about their relative's progress
  • training and mentoring new staff
  • attending team meetings with service managers
  • providing emergency cover

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, in an NHS or private hospital or at an adult care home.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

With experience and training you could specialise in particular areas like dementia care, stroke management or in supporting people with learning disabilities.

You could also progress to become an assistant practitioner, deputy service manager or care home manager.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Support Worker

  • Wage : £268.82 Weekly
  • Location: Witham CM8 1AP

Apprentice Health & Social Care Worker

  • Wage : £297.50 Weekly
  • Location: Stamford PE9 2NA
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care (QCF)

  • Provider: Christ The King College
  • Start date: 03 September 2019
  • Location: Newport

Cambridge Technical Diploma in Health and Social Care (VRQ)

  • Provider: The de Ferrers Academy
  • Start date: 05 September 2019
  • Location: Burton on Trent
Find courses near you

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