Care worker

You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.

Courses include:

• care
• health and social care
• T Level in Health

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a care organisation or the NHS.

Apprenticeship options include:

• Health and Social Care Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
• Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Healthcare Support Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, like a care home, charity, hospital or hospice. This can help you when applying for paid work.

You can find volunteering opportunities through:

• Do It
• NHS England - Volunteering
• The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

You can apply for care worker jobs directly. If you get the role, you'll be given on-the-job training by your employer.

It's important to be kind, caring and have a respectful attitude towards people who need care and support.

Some employers might want you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent. However, many will offer training to applicants who have the right personal qualities.

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

Daily tasks will differ depending on whether you work with a client in their own home or in a care setting.

You could:

• chat with clients and get to know their background, interests and needs
• help with washing, dressing and personal care
• make food, assist with eating and make sure medication is taken if needed
• support clients to take part in physical and social activities
• do routine checks of weight, temperature and blood pressure
• notify senior staff of any concerns over clients' health and wellbeing
• keep client records and care plans up to date

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 may need to wear a uniform.