Care worker

Career path and progression

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

• autism awareness
• supporting people with dementia
• communication skills, like Makaton or Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

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.

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:

• pass enhanced background checks

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.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Psychology - Care workers need to understand how people think, feel, and react – especially those dealing with conditions like dementia, anxiety, or depression. Knowledge of psychology helps them respond sensitively to challenging behaviour and support clients' emotional wellbeing.
• Sociology - Care workers support people from diverse backgrounds and need to understand how factors like age, disability, poverty, and social isolation affect people's lives. Sociology provides insight into inequality, community structures, and the social care systems that shape the support clients receive.
• Biology - Care workers carry out routine health checks like measuring blood pressure, temperature, and weight, and need to spot signs of illness or physical decline. Understanding how the human body works helps them recognise when something is wrong and communicate concerns to medical staff.
• English Language - Care workers keep detailed client records and care plans up to date, and must communicate clearly with colleagues, families, and health professionals. Strong written and spoken communication skills are essential for accurately reporting concerns and ensuring clients receive the right support.

Also relevant

• Physical Education - Care workers often help clients with mobility, assist with lifting and moving, and support them to take part in physical activities. Understanding how the body moves and the importance of safe physical handling is valuable in this physically demanding role.
• Food Preparation and Nutrition - Care workers prepare meals for clients and may need to cater for specific dietary requirements related to health conditions, allergies, or cultural preferences. Understanding nutrition helps them support clients' overall health and wellbeing through appropriate food choices.
• Religious Studies - Care workers support people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds, and need to respect their beliefs and practices around food, prayer, end-of-life care, and daily routines. Understanding different faiths helps them provide person-centred care that respects each client's identity.