Care assistants, sometimes known as care workers, provide practical help with daily activities to people with a range of difficulties. They can work with a range of clients including:

• children
• people with physical or learning disabilities
• older people 
• families.

Their clients may be based in their own homes, in sheltered housing, day centres or in residential settings such as nursing homes. 

Care assistants working in people's homes will often do so as part of a team, visiting clients to provide support. They are are likely to be involved in helping families and parents who are experiencing difficulties, adjust to new responsibilities. A new role in social care work is that of personal assistant, which involves working closely with one disabled person to support them in their day-to-day life.

Care assistants based in a residential or day care setting will often work with other health and social care professionals to carry out individual care and development plans with residents or service users. They will often become the ‘key worker’ to one or two residents. They may help to organise recreational activities and escort clients to and from the residential home (for example, young people attending local college).

Certain duties are common to all care assistant roles, these include:

• getting to know individual clients and being aware of their special interests and social needs
• supporting clients with daily personal care such as dressing, using the toilet, washing and feeding themselves
• carrying out general tasks such as housework, laundry and shopping
• helping people organise paying bills, budgeting money and letter writing
• giving social and emotional support.

Hours and Environment

As a home care assistant you will usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week, which may include weekends. In residential settings, you may work a rota that includes occasional overnight stays. You may be required to live in. Part-time work is often available.

Your employer will often provide you with protective clothing such as gloves and tabards, and safety equipment is often used. Care work can be physically strenuous and mentally challenging.

Skills and Interests

To be a care assistant, you should:

• be sensitive to the needs of people from different religious and cultural backgrounds
• be physically able to cope with lifting and carrying
• be empathic and patient, and a good communicator
• be reliable, flexible and able to work as part of a team
• have knowledge of basic health, safety and hygiene standards
• be able to remain calm under pressure.

Entry

You do not need to have any formal academic qualifications to work as a care assistant. Relevant experience with your own family or through voluntary work would be useful when you come to apply for a job, especially if you plan to work with people with disabilities.

You need to be in good physical and mental health to work in this role. Many employers conduct a criminal records bureau check.

You may find it helpful to have a driving licence because your clients may be in a number of locations throughout the community.  

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship scheme. Funding for apprenticeships is available for 16-24 year olds and some over-25s. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. For information about apprenticeships in other parts of the UK, see Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Training

As a care assistant you will receive on-the-job training from your employer, which is sometimes supported by day release courses. Induction training is provided by all employers and is based on national standards.

As a new care assistant working in adult social care in England, you will be expected to take part in a 12 week induction programme provided by your employer. The aim of the programme is prepare you to work unsupervised in a safe, effective, supportive and caring manner with your clients. You will need to meet a set of six national minimum standards of care, which cover areas such as:

• principles of care
• understanding your role as a care worker
• safety
• communication skills
• recognising and responding to abuse and neglect
• developing as a care worker.

New care assistants working with children or supporting people with learning disabilities will have additional standards to meet. Check the Skills for Care and Development website for further details; see Further Information.

You will also receive training in areas such as hygiene, health and safety, and lifting techniques.

As a care worker you can work towards NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Health and Social Care. Your induction training will help you prepare for these qualifications.

Social care register
During 2007/2008 the Department of Health and the General Social Care Council (GSCC) aim to extend the social care register to include home help or domiciliary care workers. To enter the register you will need to meet certain standards regarding your qualifications, health and good character. The GSCC website holds details; check Further Information.

Opportunities

As a care assistant you will find most work opportunities with health authorities, social services, private organisations and voluntary agencies.

With experience and qualifications you may be able to progress and move into a senior care worker position or a care manager role.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. 

The salary for a care assistant can start at around £11,100 a year.
With experience and qualifications this can rise to between £14,000 and £17,000.
Senior care workers, or those based in a residential setting can earn up to £21,000 a year.

In some cases, free or subsidised accommodation is provided.

Further information

Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Tel: 01382 207101 Albion Court
5 Albion Place
Leeds
LS1 6JL
Tel: 0113 245 1716 2 Hay's Lane
London
SE1 2HB
Tel: 020 7397 5800
Registration helpline: 0845 070 0630 7th Floor, Millennium House
19-25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7AQ
Tel: 028 9041 7600 Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk South Gate House
Wood Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EW
Tel: 029 2022 6257