Working in care

Working in care 2018-08-20T15:07:55+01:00

Most of the jobs advertised on this website are for frontline care and support workers, and this page explains those roles and the qualities you need for them.

With training and development, care and support worker roles could lead to future career development opportunities.

What does it take to be a care and support worker?

Doing well in a caring role isn’t about qualifications – what’s really important is your values and attitude towards the people you support.

Care and support work often offers flexible hours can to fit around study or family commitments.

There are lots of different job roles in care and support; it just depends what you’re interested in, who you want to work with and where you want to work.

A care worker

A care worker can provide support to adults of all ages in a care home or in the community. Care workers who work in the community are sometimes called domiciliary carers which often involves travelling to different people’s houses.

The people you support could include adults with learning disabilities, physical impairments, dementia and mental health problems and disorders. You support people to:

  • remain independent in their own homes
  • live in residential or nursing care homes
  • be part of their community

Work can include personal care (washing/bathing/dressing), mobility, assisting with domestic jobs in the home and mealtimes, getting people involved in social and physical activities, helping people access services in their community or liaising with a care home resident’s family.

A care worker needs to be able to listen, empathise and communicate well. They also need common sense, resilience, patience and flexibility. There are some specific skills needed to work in this role. These include:

  • the ability to work on your own initiative and prioritise your workload
  • the ability to understand and follow policies and procedures
  • good writing skills to fill in care plans.

Support worker

Support workers may provide additional help to a care worker such as advice about housing, learning life skills such as cooking or budgeting and providing emotional support and befriending.

If you’d like to be Proud to Care, look at the jobs available in South Gloucestershire, Bristol, or the South West.

For more information about different job roles and career paths, visit Skills for Care

Jobs

Looking for a new job or a new career in care and support work?

Find your job

Get in touch

Want to get in touch with Proud to Care?

ProudToCare@SouthGlos.gov.uk

01454 863209