Care worker
Care workers support vulnerable people with their daily activities and help them to live as independently as possible.
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
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:
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.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
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
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a care organisation or the NHS.
Apprenticeship options include:
- Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine workplace training with study in the classroom.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
- 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
You can volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, like a care home, charity, hospital or hospice. This can help you when applying for paid work.
You can find volunteering opportunities through:
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.
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:
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.