Job description
You’ll work with people who need direct care and support, and you’ll be responsible for an individual’s overall comfort and independence. You could work in a residential or nursing home, in peoples’ own homes, or out in the community. You could also be a live-in carer, living with an individual over a specified time period.
Duties can include
■ Supporting people who need care and support with all aspects of their day to day living, so they can enjoy the best possible quality of life.
■ Creating and maintaining good relationships with people who need care and support and their family and friends - as well as other professionals.
■ Supporting people with social and physical activities or mental stimulation.  
■ Helping with personal care such as support with showering and dressing.
■ Supporting people with eating and drinking.
■ Monitoring individuals’ conditions by taking their temperature, pulse, respiration and weight, and possibly helping with medication
What skills do I need?
Everyone working in social care needs English, number, digital and employability skills including team work and problem solving skills.
There are also some specific skills needed to work in this role. These include:
■ the ability to treat people with dignity
■ good listening and observational skills
■ the ability to follow company policies and procedures (i.e. health and safety).
Entry requirements
There are no set entry qualifications, although you may benefit from holding a qualification in a related topic (e.g. GCSE, BTEC, or other vocational qualification). It is possible to enter through a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Health & Social Care. Although no formal experience is required, related voluntary or informal experience (such as caring for relatives) will support your application. You’ll be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring check.

Job description
You’ll do the same job as a care worker, but often with the additional duties of supervising and supporting a team of care workers. Some senior care workers take on responsibilities for particular areas of work within the service such as end of life care, moving and handling, dementia care or health and safety.

Duties can include
‍■ Supporting people who need care and support with all aspects of their day to day living, so they can enjoy the best possible quality of life.
■ Creating and maintaining good relationships with people who need care & support and their family and friends, as well as other professionals.  
■ Developing an individual’s care plan that outlines the support they need.  
■ Helping people with personal care such as showering and dressing.
■ Supporting people with eating and drinking.
■ Supporting people with social and physical activities or mental stimulation.  
■ Carrying out healthcare tasks such as administering medication and taking temperatures.  
■ Supervising and supporting a team of care workers, including managing rotas and doing supervisions and appraisals.  
■ Deliver training sessions on specialist topics such as end of life care or moving and handling.
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What skills do I need?
Everyone working in social care needs English, number, digital and employability skills including team work and problem solving skills. There are also some specific skills needed to work in this role. These include:
■ the ability to treat people with dignity
■ supervisory or team leading skills
■ good presentation skills  
■ the ability to deal with conflict
■ the ability to follow company policies and procedures (i.e. health and safety).
‍
‍Entry requirements
You’ll be required to have a background in social care and it may be desirable to have a Level 2 or
3 Diploma or Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care. It’s a requirement that you are qualified to an appropriate level,
and this is usually Level 3. Some senior care workers may have nursing qualifications.
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