Overview
Care assistants help people with their day-to-day care. They work with people who are ill, elderly, or disabled. They help them to do the things they are not able to do for themselves.
Activities
- help with washing and dressing
- make food or help with eating
- get to know their interests and needs
- do household jobs, like washing clothes and shopping
- monitor their weight and record any concerns they have
- check they’re taking their prescribed medications
- Talk to patients and involve them in activities
Organisations
Care assistants in The Black Country are employed by various organisations such as Local council social service departments and Residential homes for elderly or disabled people.
Workplace
Care assistants work in hospitals and care homes and mainly indoors.
Working Hours
The hours of work for a care assistant depend on where they work. Some have normal office hours from Monday to Friday. Others work shifts that include early mornings, nights, evenings and weekends.
Salary
Starting salary is around £13,500.
Qualifications
You do not need to pass set school exams to become a care assistant some employers will ask for GCSEs some will not. You may be able to access this role via a supported internship or apprenticeship.
If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the Dfe exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.
College – College – you could start off on a Level 1 Introductory Certificate in Health and Social Care.