{"id":18258,"date":"2018-03-27T14:06:23","date_gmt":"2018-03-27T13:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stonebridge-blog.positive-dedicated.net\/?p=18258"},"modified":"2020-11-26T17:40:21","modified_gmt":"2020-11-26T17:40:21","slug":"how-to-become-a-care-worker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/health-and-social-care\/how-to-become-a-care-worker\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you Need to Know About Becoming a Care Worker (Comprehensive Guide + E-book)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">How to become a care worker<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So, you are thinking about becoming a care worker? Well, we think this is a great choice, and as far as job satisfaction is concerned, we believe caring is in a league of its own. As well as being rewarding, a career in care allows you to dedicate your time to helping vulnerable people and making a genuine improvement to society. If you believe you have what it takes to cut it as a care worker this could be a fantastic career move for you. But before you get going, we thought we\u2019d give you the lowdown on the caring industry. Have a read through and discover everything you need to know about care work.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What do care workers do?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a carer the nature of your role will strongly depend on the area of care you work in. However, there are some elements of the job which are the same across the board. As a professional care worker you can guarantee that no two days will ever be the same. &nbsp;You can also be sure that your career will always be challenging, varied and interesting. A carer\u2019s main duties and responsibilities may involve:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Washing and dressing people or helping them to complete these activities themselves.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Preparing food for service users and helping them eat if necessary.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Getting to know the care user on a personal level, making sure to discover their individual interests and needs.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Assisting with or independently completing household chores, such as making the bed, doing laundry, washing dishes and vacuuming.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Accompanying the service user on shopping trips or completing shopping on their behalf.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Helping the service user communicate their needs or desires with other people.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Checking the temperature, weight and the breathing rhythms of the care user and monitoring their health in general.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Supporting the family members of the care user.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Communicating with the family members of the care user to make sure the highest standards of care are being delivered.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Organising leisure activities for the care user and, if necessary, accompanying them to these occasions.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_healthcare.jpg\" alt=\"Hospital Medical Staff\" width=\"690\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_healthcare.jpg 690w, https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_healthcare-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What are the different types of care work?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a care assistant, you won\u2019t just work with the elderly. Carers work with people of all descriptions; including people with learning disabilities, children, families, people with dementia, or those with severe physical disabilities. If you like, you could specialise in one area of care and go on to become an expert in your field. Many employees even go on to pursue careers in management or start their own care business. Wherever your skills and priorities lie, there will be a role to suit you. Types of carer include but are not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Home care worker<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Healthcare assistant<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Domiciliary care assistant<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Residential care worker<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Care manager<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Community support worker<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What skills do you need to be a care worker?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you want to become a carer you will need to be:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Flexible:<\/strong><\/span> If you are a carer there will be times when a care user needs your assistance at a moment&#8217;s notice. Life is unpredictable and as a carer you must be prepared for this. On the flip side, the flexible schedule may end up giving you more free time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>A good listener:<\/strong><\/span> As a carer you\u2019ll often need to follow precise instructions, whether they relate to the personal care you give someone, or to the administration of medications. Listening is also a way to build trust with the people you care for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>A great communicator<\/strong>:<\/span> As a carer you could be working with people of all ages, from all walks of life. Being able to communicate effectively will make your job a lot easier and also reassure anyone that you\u2019re looking after that you want to help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Hygienic:<\/strong><\/span> As a carer one of your main tasks will be maintaining a clean and safe environment. You\u2019ll need to be able to wash your hands correctly, keep kitchen and bathroom areas clean, and look out for any health hazards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Hands on:<\/strong><\/span> Carers must be willing to throw themselves into any task. Whether that means helping people stand up and move around, or getting on with the housework, carers should not be shying away from these tasks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>First aid trained:<\/strong><\/span> First aid skills will put you in a better position when it comes to the mandatory training, but more importantly, you\u2019re likely to be more confident if you need them when you\u2019re out on the job.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Not squeamish<\/span>:<\/strong> Working with the elderly and disabled may mean cleaning up accidents that take place. Being able to deal with the situation calmly, efficiently and professionally will make a huge difference to the person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>Practical and sensible:<\/strong><\/span> Common sense is invaluable for carers. In many cases, problems won&#8217;t be immediately obvious. If someone is unable to communicate something, then use your common sense to consider what their needs might be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18268\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_elderlyhome.jpg\" alt=\"Senior people watching televison together\" width=\"690\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_elderlyhome.jpg 690w, https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_elderlyhome-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What qualifications do you need to be a care worker?<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/course\/health-and-social-care-adults-diploma-qcf-level-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Health and Social Care Level 3 Diploma (RQF)<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whether you are just starting out in the field, or you already work in care and want to progress in your career, the Health and Social Care Level 3 Diploma could be for you. This nationally recognised qualification has been designed to give students the knowledge base they need to work in professional or voluntary care environments. The course explores an array of topics covering everything from safeguarding and communication to helping those who are dealing with dementia or sensory loss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The health and social care training combines convenient online study with 100 hours in a work or voluntary placement. At the end of your course, an assessor will visit you, and you&#8217;ll be asked to demonstrate practical skills. On completion of the course, you\u2019ll come away with the confidence to react to unexpected situations and the adaptability to work with different groups.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What other related courses do we offer?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Social care is an unpredictable profession. You never know what you are going to see or have to deal with on a day to day basis. This is why it is good to be as prepared as you possibly can. While the Health and Social Care Level 3 Diploma will offer you a firm grounding in your practice, there is no reason why you shouldn\u2019t embark on supplementary social care courses to expand your knowledge. We\u2019ve picked out a few courses we think could help you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/course\/end-of-life-care-ncfe-level-3-certificate-qcf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>End of Life Care NCFE Level 3 (RQF) Course<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/course\/preparing-to-work-in-adult-social-care-qcf-level-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care (RQF) Level 3 Course<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/course\/mental-health-and-social-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Mental Health and Social Care Course<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/course\/dementia-awareness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dementia Awareness Course<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/course\/ethics-and-values-in-social-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Ethics and Values in Social Care Course<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18271\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_oldman.jpg\" alt=\"young girl volunteer is giving food to senior injured man\" width=\"690\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_oldman.jpg 690w, https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_oldman-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What will you need to do after the course?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once you have achieved your distance learning qualification, it will be time to secure a position working in social care. Having already completed a 100-hour placement, you should feel ready and raring to jump into your new role. If you were already working in social care before, this course will hopefully have provided you with greater levels of professional confidence and may even lead to a promotion or more responsibility. As an idea, you could search for some of the following job roles:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Support worker visiting clients in the community.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Care assistant in a care home.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal assistant employed by a family.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Healthcare assistant in a primary care or acute health environment.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What do our past students think?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Martha Ndeukumwa Betuel graduated from the Health and Social Care Level 3. This is what she had to say about her time studying with Stonebridge College:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThe service I received was excellent. The web materials are easy to use and understand. The course material is all relevant and important. My tutor always marked my work promptly, even during the weekends. He was really helpful during my entire course. His encouragement kept me going and his criticism inspired me to do better. I will definitely use their services again and I would recommend Stonebridge to anyone who wants to take their life to another level. Thank you, Stonebridge. You opened doors in my life and I am extremely grateful.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18272\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_thinking.jpg\" alt=\"An attractive young woman looking up and over thinking about something.\" width=\"690\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_thinking.jpg 690w, https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_thinking-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">How much does a care worker make?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is hard to state the exact salary of a care worker because there are so many different roles which fit into this category. This means that carer pay rates differ depending on what job you have.&nbsp; However, as a rough estimate, care workers are expected to earn anywhere between \u00a312,000 and \u00a325,000. If you develop a specialty, become a care home manager or go on to open your own business then your salary expectations will probably increase.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">What are the benefits of working in health and social care?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>It&#8217;s always in demand:<\/strong><\/span> The good thing about working in health and social care is that your services will always be in demand. This is great news; especially since there is currently fierce competition for jobs in many other sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>It\u2019s a meaningful career choice:<\/strong><\/span> When you become a care worker, you can be sure that your job really matters. Helping people on a day to day basis is really fulfilling and can increase your job satisfaction significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>It\u2019s a flexible role:<\/strong><\/span> Health and social care is a great career choice for those who need a little more flexibility in their day to day schedules. Care workers may find themselves working part-time, in the evenings, or even in the mornings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>It\u2019s different every day<\/strong>:<\/span> Another great thing about health and social care is that it is extremely varied. As a care worker, you will come into contact with a wealth of different and interesting people; meaning your work will never be boring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993366;\"><strong>You develop a greater appreciation for health and life:<\/strong> <\/span>During your time working as a care worker, you will work alongside people with deteriorating health or severe disabilities. Recognising other people\u2019s struggles and your own privileges will help you to be a more positive and grateful person.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18273\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_distance-learning-course.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"690\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_distance-learning-course.jpg 690w, https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/stonebridge_associated_colleges_distance-learning-course-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #993366;\">Distance learning vs. going to college<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For those who are used to traditional classroom settings, the idea of distance learning can seem a little controversial. However, at Stonebridge College, we believe that distance learning is the way forward. If you\u2019re not sure, check out why we think it\u2019s the better option:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">You don\u2019t have classes<\/span>:<\/strong> This style of learning is perfect for those with busy work and family lives as there are no lessons to attend. Instead, students can study from home, when they manage to free up some precious time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>You can set your own pace:<\/strong> <\/span>As a teacher, it\u2019s important to go at a pace that suits all of your students. However, if you are one of the faster or slower students this method can be problematic. With distance learning, you can move at your own speed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>You can stay at home:<\/strong> <\/span>The last thing you want after a busy day is to have to rush to an evening class. Fortunately, distance learning has eradicated the need to physically attend a college. You can access all your learning materials from home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>You become an independent learner:<\/strong><\/span> Students who graduate from distance learning courses are likely to be more independent learners. This is because they have no teachers present and, are therefore, prompted to use their initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>Distance learning is the future:<\/strong><\/span> It\u2019s undeniable that education is changing and as technology develops, online learning will become increasingly advanced. Starting now will help you remain ahead of the curve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/carer-elderly-ebook-blog-post.pdf\" download=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18194\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DOWNLOAD-FREE-E-BOOK.png\" alt=\"How to get a job as a teaching assistant\" width=\"690\" height=\"85\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DOWNLOAD-FREE-E-BOOK.png 690w, https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/DOWNLOAD-FREE-E-BOOK-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/search?keyword=Health+and+Social+Care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22879\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Copy-of-SAC-Become-a-Scientist-without-A-Levels-8.png\" alt=\"Stonbridge | Health and Social Care | Enrol Today\" width=\"619\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Copy-of-SAC-Become-a-Scientist-without-A-Levels-8.png 619w, https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Copy-of-SAC-Become-a-Scientist-without-A-Levels-8-300x121.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to become a care worker So, you are thinking about becoming a care worker? Well, we think this is a great choice, and as far as job satisfaction is concerned, we believe caring is in a league of its own. As well as being rewarding, a career in care allows you to dedicate your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":18266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[338],"tags":[498,278,703,204],"class_list":["post-18258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-and-social-care","tag-elderly-people","tag-health-and-social-care","tag-rqf","tag-social-care"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18258"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25001,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18258\/revisions\/25001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stonebridge.uk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}