Social care

Care worker

Care workers help vulnerable people manage their daily activities and live as independently as possible.

Annual Salary

£14,000 to £25,000

Working hours

35 to 40 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends; on shifts

5.4%
Future employment

There will be 5.4% more Care worker jobs in 2027.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

Your daily tasks will depend on the needs of the person you're caring for.

If you're helping someone who needs support to live at home on their own, you'll:

  • 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
  • support their physical and mental wellbeing through activities

Working environment

You may need to wear a uniform.

You could work at an adult care home, at a client's home or stay overnight at people's homes.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
College

A college course may help you when you look for work.

You could take a:

  • Level 1 Certificate in Health and Social Care
  • Level 2 Diploma in Care
  • T Level in Health

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could become a care worker by doing an adult care worker intermediate apprenticeship or a lead adult care worker advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
Volunteering and work experience

You could volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, such as a care home, charity, hospital or hospice.

You can find volunteering opportunities from Do It and the National Council of Volunteering Organisations (NCVO)

Direct application

You could apply directly and train on the job. You'll find it useful to have experience of working with people.

Some employers may expect you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You might find it helpful to have a driving licence as you might work shifts at times when you cannot get public transport.
  • It might help to be physically fit because you may need to help lift or move people.
  • pass enhanced background checks

More information

Career tips

Time spent caring for someone you know also counts as having experience in a caring role.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in care from:Think Care Careers; Department of Health and Social Care; Social Care TV

While employed as a care worker you can develop your skills by training in specific areas, like autism awareness, communication skills or supporting people with dementia.

With experience, you can become a lead care worker. You can also move into more senior jobs, like managing people or services, if you get further qualifications.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • a desire to help people
  • the ability to work well with others
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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