Care Assistant

Introduction

Care assistants help and support people who, perhaps because of their age, a physical or mental health problem or a severe learning difficulty, cannot cope with day-to-day tasks on their own. They may work in residential homes for children or elderly people, special schools, day centres or non-emergency ambulance services.

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Work Activities

Care assistants provide basic care to people who need help and support with everyday tasks. The exact type of care they provide depends on the abilities of the people they look after. Basic care could mean helping someone to wash or dress, feed themselves, go the toilet or generally get about.

Wherever they work, care assistants try to help their clients keep as much independence and quality of life as they can. As far as possible, this means they enable people to do personal and social tasks, rather than doing the tasks for them. Care assistants therefore help many people to keep their self-sufficiency and sense of dignity.

Some care assistants work with children and young people. They provide basic care, as well as befriending children, providing recreational activities and encouraging children to learn and develop. Care assistants may supervise children and young people on outdoor activities or visits.

Other care assistants work with elderly people, for example, in day centres or residential homes. Again, they provide basic care depending on the needs of the individual. Social care is also very important, and assistants often develop trust and friendship with the people they work with. They help residents to make friends and keep in touch with their families. Planning and supervising social activities and trips is an important part of some care assistants' work.

Care assistants may also work with people who have disabilities. Apart from basic care tasks such as washing and dressing clients, care assistants encourage learning and development, perhaps by helping with classes that teach social skills.

Wherever they work, care assistants must be aware of changes in residents' health and mental well being, such as pain, depression, anxiety or loss of mobility. They must report their concerns to a care officer or duty officer in charge.

Care assistants are also responsible for health and safety. They look out for, prevent or report hazards such as slippery floors, poor lighting, loose carpets and handrails, damaged furniture and unsafe electrical appliances.

Care assistants often work with team members such as district and hospital-based nurses, doctors and social workers.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must have a caring nature and enjoy working with people. Patience, compassion, tact and a sense of humour are vital qualities, especially if you work with people who do not like to admit that they need help.

You must understand that every resident has the right to keep as much independence as they can. You will need to treat each resident as an individual, with different physical and emotional needs.

You should be able to talk and listen to people from all backgrounds. You will need to be discreet, and able to ease people's embarrassment when you help them with personal tasks such as washing or using the toilet. You must be able to give help and support with residents' concerns or emotional problems.

You must be prepared to learn and develop new knowledge and skills.

New government legislation on the care of children and elderly people is often introduced to increase their protection from neglect or abuse, so assistants may need training to keep up to date.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for care assistants vary depending on employer and duties.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Care assistants usually earn in the range of £10,500 - £15,500 a year, rising to around £16,000 a year. Higher level carers can make about £20,000 a year.

Care assistants in the National Health Service (NHS) are paid on Band 2 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. Since April 2006 this has been £12,177 - £15,107 a year.

Care assistants typically work a basic 37.5-hour week. Shift work, early starts and late finishes are usual. Some employers offer flexitime working, and part-time and temporary work is also possible.

Some care assistants work in the NHS, both in hospitals and in the community. Other employers are local authorities, private health care providers, including nursing homes, and voluntary organisations. Some care assistants are self-employed and work through an agency.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Employers usually see relevant skills and abilities and a responsible approach as an advantage.

Modern Apprenticeships may be available in some areas.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

• 1% of care assistants are self-employed.
• 41% work part-time.
• 4% have flexible hours.
• 6% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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