Working in Care
What does it take to be a care and support worker?
Across our region, there are many vacancies for jobs in care, supporting local people in need.
Doing well in a caring role isn’t about qualifications – what is really important is your values and attitude towards the people you support.
There are lots of different job roles within care and support to suit your interest, who you want to work with and where you want to work. A role within care often offers flexible hours which can fit around study or family commitments.
To find out more about the different care roles available and the care workforce pathway, please click on the links below
Residential Care Worker
When someone can’t live independently, they move to live in a care home, either permanently or temporarily. This may be because of old age, a physical or learning disability, mental health problems, addiction or another care need.
You will help residents go about their days, supporting them where they need help with things like getting up and dressed and washed. You will also help them live full lives, supporting them with activities. As part of a multi-skilled team (including nursing staff), you will also ‘muck in’ with other jobs around the home
Support/ Assisted Living
You might be helping someone with a long-term or complex health condition, a learning disability, or someone elderly looking for regular support.
You will provide direct support to one person, or a small group of people living together. Depending on individual needs, you will provide a mix of practical and emotional support. You may also spend time helping someone achieve their goals (including work and hobbies), and standing up for their needs.
Home Care Worker
Many of the people we help are older, but there are lots of other reasons people need support. For instance, someone might be managing a condition like arthritis, or going through a period of recovery or rehabilitation.
You will have a schedule of people to visit and you will travel to their homes. Your role is to support someone with their daily routines (including helping them prepare meals, get up, dressed and washed), helping someone do simple activities and household chores and helping with medication. During every visit, no matter the length, the conversations you have with your clients will be really precious – you may be the only person they talk to that day, so make it count!
Training and Development
You don’t need any previous qualifications or experience to become a care and support worker as you will be supported in the workplace. Employers provide essential training and they also offer support to gain recognised qualifications. The qualifications are work based and recognised by all employers within health and social care.
With further training and development, care and support worker roles can lead to future career development opportunities such as:
- Working in a specialist area e.g. dementia, learning difficulties, physical or sensory impairment, end of life care
- Team leader or management roles
- Moving into support areas, for example as a trainer or advisor
- Regulated roles like social work, nursing or counselling.
How do I find a job?
Here are some tips to help your job search. Or get in touch with the Proud to Care team and we can help you explore the roles available.
What role is right for me?
Think about the skills you can bring, the working environment you’d prefer, the role you can play, and the kind of relationship you’d like to build with the person you could care for.
What employer is right for me?
Find out which organisations provide care services in your area. Look at their websites and see what values they prioritise in their descriptions and recruitment advertising. Use your network to talk to anyone who might use their service or work there.
If they are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) they will also have an inspection report and other information on their website.
What vacancies are there right now?
You can search all care providers within the South Gloucestershire area through our provider search function. You can search dependent upon both your desired location and care setting.
Our search function page will direct you straight to the providers recruitment page to see live vacancies and contact details to get in touch.
What’s it like to work in Health and Social Care?
Care workers from across South Gloucestershire shared their reasons for why they choose a career in care and what they love about their roles.
