what is a care worker?
Care workers are assistants who help people across a wide spectrum of roles. You'll typically work inside a care facility, but other options include personal assistants, at-home care and support workers. These jobs vary because the tasks range from daily management to offering advice. You will support a person by maintaining their hygiene practices, monitoring health issues and managing their daily affairs if necessary. Some of the clients you work with include people with physical and mental disabilities, those recovering from substance abuse and the elderly.
As a care worker, your duties change depending on the work setting. Instead of handling the care yourself, you may offer support to families caring for ailing loved ones. The avenue of childcare focuses on meeting children's emotional and practical needs. Planning outings and activities is often part of care work in a care facility. You can also offer advice in coordination with a healthcare professional for both families and individuals.
Would working in health as a care worker suit your compassionate nature and desire to help people? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a care worker role.
average salary of a care worker
Your salary as a care worker varies depending on whether you work for the public or private sector. According to National Careers, a care worker working in the private sector earns between £13,500 and £25,000 per year.
When you join the profession, your earnings range from £13,500 to £18,000 annually, with most trainee care workers taking home £15,000 per year. If you work for the NHS, your salary will depend on the Pay Band. Care workers typically fall into Band 2, which means the starting salary is £18,546 per year.
As well as a basic salary, you receive multiple benefits, including enhanced pay for working unsociable hours. When you work night shifts, bank holidays and weekends, the hourly rate will be 60% above the standard rates. You also enjoy 27 holiday days a year and paid sick leave of up to six months. Some employers contribute to a pension scheme.
If you want to increase your salary, you need to improve your experience levels. You should also choose your employer carefully. While the private sector provides good compensation packages, they may not surpass the benefits you enjoy working with the NHS.
types of care workers
Some of the types of care workers include:
- elderly care workers: as a care worker for older adults, you provide care and support to the elderly in hospitals, clinics, care homes or private homes. You assist with personal care and managing illnesses.
- attendant care workers: your job is to provide personal care to people living with disabilities. Depending on the disability, your job may include assisting them with personal care and hygiene.
working as a care worker
If you want to help people, this is the right line of work. Your compassion and attention to detail help you provide care for people with varying needs. Let's explore other aspects of the role, including duties and work environments.
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care worker job description
Some of the tasks of a care worker include:
- assisting with personal care: as a care worker, you help patients manage their personal care. Some of your duties in personal care involve helping them shower, dress or eat. Assisting them with basic activities helps them become independent.
- managing illness: if your client has a chronic medical condition, you ensure they follow the treatment plan prescribed by the doctor. You also organise their appointments and ensure they take medicine on time.
- domestic duties: when you provide your services in private homes, your duties may extend to household chores. For instance, your employer may expect you to cook and clean the premises to maintain a healthy environment.
- companionship and emotional support: as a care worker, you spend most of the time with your patients, and it's important to create a rapport. Most patients with serious illnesses feel isolated, and you need to provide emotional support to help them feel safe.
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work environment
As a care worker, you can work in care home facilities or patients' private residences. There is an increasing trend of care workers operating out of clients' homes due to the positive emotional benefits of being cared for at home. Group homes and elder communities are other alternatives to standard care facilities. You work with single individuals or a group of people, depending on your workplace. Travel is necessary if your job leans toward a support role as you provide essential transport for your client. Most jobs require a uniform, and there is a chance of your environment being mentally demanding. Since you provide close contact services, you need to be physically present. You cannot work from home or remotely.
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who are your colleagues?
Care workers work in private homes or care home facilities. Your colleagues might include care assistants, social workers and care home managers. You are also likely to work in close proximity to nurses and doctors, as well as other specialists that could include occupational therapists, orthoptist, nutrition specialists and paediatricians.
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work schedule
Although you work shifts, your week will equal the length of a full-time position. There is no average shift length because so many variables are at play. Some employers offer flexible hours, so working part-time is a sustainable solution for people balancing study or another job. In some cases, you work nights and weekends when engaged in one-to-one or at-home care. The schedule of family members impacts your work time as well, an example being childcare roles. Keep in mind that some at-home carers work 24-hour shifts so they can adequately accommodate their client.
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job outlook
Becoming a care worker opens doors to many careers in social work and the health care industry. For instance, you can seek training or specialisation in specific aspects of care like dementia or autism. You will find opportunities in specialist hospices when you have additional certifications. Alternatively, improve your qualifications and gain more work experience to progress in the same career path. For instance, you can become a lead care worker, join the managerial team and become a care home manager. Some care workers become specialists in the sector and provide consultancy services.
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advantages of finding a care worker job through randstad
Finding your care worker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a care worker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Most care worker roles don't require formal education, but the following qualifications increase your competitiveness:
- college course: to become a care worker, you can pursue a college course like Level 1 Certificate in health and social care, which only requires 2 GCSEs in grades 3 to 1. If you want a diploma course, look for a Level 2 Diploma in care or a T Level course in health to kick-start your career.
- apprenticeship: Look for adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship courses to join the role. You can also pursue a lead adult care worker advanced apprenticeship. The programme will involve training and coursework and takes up to three years.
skills and competencies
You need the following personal qualities for the role:
- caring: as a care worker, you provide physical and medical assistance to adults, the elderly or children. If you have a genuine concern for your patient, you can help them deal with negative emotions. Since patients often feel isolated, you need to be conscientious by nature to make them comfortable.
- respectful: as a care worker, you assist patients from different backgrounds. You respect their religious or cultural beliefs to foster good relationships and provide the best care.
- friendly: as a care worker, you need to be open and approachable to enhance your working relationship with patients or co-workers. You also spend most of the day interacting with service users, and if you are withdrawn, your patients may not feel comfortable in your presence. Friendliness creates a safe space for healing and hope for your clients.
- flexibility: as a care worker, you need to be flexible. Jobs vary depending on the patient you are working with. For instance, providing services to a child is different from assisting an adult. Adaptability helps you adjust fast to new job requirements and provide quality care.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a care worker
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what does a care worker do?
A care worker supports clients through actions or advice, teaching them day-to-day skills, performing tasks for them or keeping track of their physical well-being. You work with people across the age spectrum, from children to adults and the elderly. If you work in a care facility, you manage either one or a group of people during your shift. Also, some jobs require your placement in the client's home on a full-time or part-time basis.
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who do care workers care for?
Care workers support people of all ages. Most clients reside in a care facility or their home, often in the later stages of life. However, some clients are children, have mental or physical disabilities or are recovering from substance abuse issues. Additionally, some need extra help working through their day, and your job is to provide support.
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what qualifications do you need to be a care worker?
Although it isn't always required, you should have GCSE qualifications for entry-level positions. Before employing someone in a care facility, many employers require proof of certification, available through classes or vocational training.
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what is the difference between a carer and a care worker?
A care worker operates in either a care facility or the client's home. You work in shifts on a one-on-one basis or help a family manage the care of their loved one. A carer operates solely out of the client's home. You provide care any time of day or night, and it isn't uncommon to work 24-hour shifts in this capacity.
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what are the three most important qualities of a good carer?
A genuine desire to help others takes you far in this line of work. It shows others you are trustworthy enough to manage their well-being or care for their loved ones. You need sensitivity and understanding to undertake your duties. Also, working well under pressure is critical because it helps you keep a cool head when things are tense.
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how do I apply for a care worker vacancy?
Applying for a care worker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
