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 or hospice. Volunteering in the NHS is also a good way to get work experience in care work. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can find further opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it .

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.