Care workers and home carers attend to the personal needs and comforts of the elderly and the infirm with care and support needs (‘service users’) within residential care establishments, day care establishments or in their own homes.
Assists and enables service users to dress, undress, wash, use the toilet and bathe
Serves meals to service users at table or in bed, and assists with feeding if required
Generally assists with service users’ overall comfort and well being
Provides interest and activities to stimulate and engage the service user
Helps with daily activities such as letter writing, paying bills, collecting benefits
Undertakes light cleaning and domestic duties including meal preparation as required
Monitors service users’ conditions by taking temperature, pulse, respiration and weight, and contributes to record keeping
Liaises with professional staff in carrying out care plans etc.
There are no formal academic entry requirements. In most cases workers will be required to register with the appropriate statutory body which involves satisfying the registration criteria. This would normally include holding or working towards the appropriate qualification for the job. Entrants must typically be 18 years old and have experience of working in a care environment. Both off- and on-the-job training is available. A wide range of qualifications including NVQs/SVQs covering various aspects of care are available. Background checks including a CRB check are likely to be required.