If you’re looking for an exciting and rewarding career where no two days on the job are the same, then care work might be your calling. Few careers offer such a meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of people that require a helping hand to live independently.
There are many routes that you can explore if you’re looking to start a career as a care worker. Here we discuss everything you need to know about becoming a professional care worker in the UK, including the skills you’ll need and what duties you can expect.
WHAT ARE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CARE WORKER?
A care worker assists individuals who require extra support with daily activities, empowering them to live their best lives. Care workers are employed in a variety of settings such as directly in a client’s home, in residential care or nursing homes or in the community.
Some carers are employed during the day while others work shift hours including nights and weekends. This provides plenty of flexibility since you can choose a rota that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Since care workers tailor the care they provide to each individual, every day on the job is different. Some of the duties and responsibilities of a care worker might include:
- Assisting with personal care such as bathing, grooming and getting dressed
- Light housekeeping duties like grocery shopping and laundry
- Cooking and preparing meals
- Providing companionship and emotional support
- Encouraging and supporting hobbies and activities
- Collaborating with other health care and social care professionals to provide the best possible care
- Accurately recording and reporting essential information in a daily report
- Managing and administering medication as directed
If you’re interested in learning more about the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of a care worker, you can read about a day in the life of a care worker.
WHAT SKILLS AND QUALITIES DOES A CARE WORKER NEED?
As a professional carer, you will be responsible for looking after vulnerable individuals and supporting them in achieving greater independence. To provide the best care and support, most carers possess a particular set of skills and qualities, which include:
- Excellent communication abilities
- Proficient in planning, organising, and multitasking
- Strong time-management and problem-solving skills
- Keen observational skills
- A cheerful and sunny misdemeanour
- Reliability
In order to become a carer with Prestige Nursing & Care, we also require the following qualifications and practical skills:
- A good standard of written and spoken English
- The right to work in the UK
- Clear police, occupational health and reference checks
- Good professional and personal references
- Six months’ professional care experience in a care or health setting. This could include experience as a domiciliary carer, care assistant, homecare worker, support worker or healthcare assistant
If you are new to care and have no prior experience, we offer training that leads to Care Certificates for certain roles, so please contact your nearest local branch to find out more.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DOES A CARER NEED?
Formal qualifications are not a prerequisite for pursuing a career as a professional care worker, but they do demonstrate a level of practical knowledge and skill.
There are numerous qualifications and training options available such as college courses that equip individuals with the necessary skills to work in the care sector. Enrolling in college courses can also broaden opportunities to obtain further certifications in care work, such as the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).
The Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Adult Care is an entry-level qualification for health and social care. The course allows candidates to develop a range of skills and techniques essential for successful performance while working in the care sector. If you are new to care work, an NVQ can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to obtain your first professional role.
Nonetheless, a carer’s success depends on more than just their formal education and training. Being an excellent carer involves possessing a genuine interest and willingness to improve the lives of others. One of the crucial skills and attributes of a competent care worker is the ability to assist clients in maintaining their independence and dignity while also demonstrating a strong sense of compassion and empathy. This can be challenging, but immensely rewarding.
DO YOU NEED EXPERIENCE TO BE A CARE WORKER?
Becoming a professional carer can be achieved through many different routes, including obtaining college qualifications or undergoing industry-based training. Individuals can also opt to learn through hands-on experience while on the job.
While traditional classroom learning can be advantageous for some, others may benefit more from practical training. Learning on the job offers a more immersive experience that allows carers to gain a deeper understanding of their client’s needs and the responsibilities of the role. Before pursuing a career as a professional carer, it is important to consider which learning approach would be most suitable for you.
At Prestige Nursing & Care, we ideally look for individuals with at least six months of professional care experience. We only have a limited number of care vacancies for people with no professional care experience, but we’d love to talk to you if you’re interested in finding out how to get into care work for the first time.
APPLY TO BECOME A CARER WITH PRESTIGE NURSING & CARE
Carers are the superheroes of our business. Our competent and compassionate carers are the reason we’re leading the way in home care services across the UK. That’s why everything we do is designed to support and empower our carers to deliver the outstanding care we’re known for.
Our ‘Introduction to Care’ training program will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to jumpstart your career. Our comprehensive training covers all aspects of the role and offers the essential knowledge, confidence and expertise required to excel as a care worker.
Some of the many benefits you can expect from Prestige Nursing & Care include:
- Hourly rates that are often higher than other agencies
- A flexible way to work locally – the hours you want, when you want them
- Working with a local team at a local branch
- A variety of work matched to your skills and interests
- Ongoing training and development
- A Member Advantages programme offering retail discounts
You can learn more about our job requirements and our recruitment process in our carer jobs section or explore our current carer jobs to see what’s on offer at Prestige Nursing & Care.
