Care Assistant - day services

Support worker Ric, helping a young person to make sandwiches.

Expected to earn

On average you can earn from £10.70 to £11.00 an hour. This can increase depending on the role and experience.

Skills and values

There are a range of skills and values that are needed to work in care settings. These include:

Good verbal, digital, written and numeracy skills
Kind, compassionate and empathetic
Honest, trustworthy and reliable
Respect
Courageous and principled
See the whole person
Flexible, open and learning
Proud and positive

Relevant experience is not essential as full training is provided; having the right values is key. If you are caring and compassionate with good communication skills, a care assistant role could be for you. Many people bring their own personal experience of caring, as well as transferable skills and life experience. There are a range of free training courses to support you into employment and to progress your career in care. You can also enter the sector by the direct apprenticeship route.

What roles can I do to gain experience?

Volunteering or Work Experience
Admin/HR

Opportunities to develop

The care workforce pathway is a new career structure for the adult social care workforce. Take a look to see the behaviours, knowledge and skills. This role covers category A and B.

New to care: role category A

Care or support worker: role category B

There is opportunity to progress into the supervisor or leader: role category C and Practice leader: role category D

You will complete an induction and opportunity to complete the new Level 2 Care Certificate. Opportunity for continuing professional development qualification such as dementia, end of life, autism care, learning disabilities, mental health and more.

You can explore apprenticeships to develop your knowledge and understanding from Level 2 Adult care worker, Level 3 Lead adult care worker, Level 4 Lead practitioner in adult care, these apprenticeships can take from 18 months to complete. Or further apprenticeship or degrees such as the Nursing Associate or Occupational Therapist which can take up to two/three years to complete.