Back to Career Guides

How to become a Care Worker

6,726

Care Worker jobs

38,338

Care Worker courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Care Worker

Junior Care Worker

| Up to £14,000

Care Worker

| Up to £18,000

Specialist Support Worker

| Up to £24,000

The role of a Care Worker

What does a Care Worker do?

Are you a people person? Are you at your happiest when looking after others? If you’re a caring person, and you really want to make a difference to someone’s life, then becoming a Care Worker could be the perfect career move for you.

The main role of a Care Worker is to provide support to a person in need of care, improving their lives by attending to their specific needs, and assisting them with their daily tasks.

Care Workers may find themselves working with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or learning difficulties. However, key duties will usually include:

Working with clients, their families and other professionals to identify their particular needs, and develop a care plan
Providing personal care to clients depending on these needs (assisting them with washing/feeding/dressing etc.)
Aiding a client with other every day or physical tasks, such as shopping, cooking or studying
Providing emotional support to clients and their families
Keeping the client comfortable and at ease at all times

Is a career as a Care Worker right for me?

To be successful in this position, having a passion (and patience) for helping people is essential. You will need exceptional communication skills and must be tactful and sensitive with your clients at all times.

Other key skills and attributes include:

A friendly and approachable nature (good sense of humour also helpful)
Ability to build relationships with clients and their families, and put them at ease
Patience and sensitivity
The ability to keep calm under pressure, as clients may sometimes be aggressive or anxious
Critical thinking and problem solving

What's it like to be a Care Worker?

"I first got interested in the care industry whilst visiting my grandmother in her residential home. The Care Worker’s there were incredibly attentive and affectionate towards her, and they really made her life easier and happier. I started out helping in the care home on weekends, and I’m now a full-time care worker. My job is incredibly rewarding, and every day has new challenges. I wouldn’t change it for the world."

Get qualified as a Care Worker

You won't always need specific qualifications to become a Care Worker, and there are various entry routes into the role. These include apprenticeships, vocational health and social care qualifications (such as the Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care), or on-the-job training. Continuous professional development (CPD) is also important for staying updated on best practices, legislation changes, and advancing in the field of care work.

Recommended Care courses

Level 5 Diploma-Residential Childcare (RQF)

The Learning Station

Ofsted Approved- Level 5 NVQ in Childcare, Residential Care - Ofqual Regulated
- Compare
- 1,275 enquiries
- Online
- 18 months · Self-paced
- Regulated qualification
- Exam(s) included
- Tutor support
Great service

Highly rated

See more See less

Are you currently working in a children's home or boarding school and looking to work up into managerial positions? Or maybe you're looking to open your own residential childcare home? If so, you must complete the TQUK Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential …
£1,800
Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (RQF)

The Learning Station

Ofsted Approved -Childcare NVQ - Ofqual Regulated
- Compare
- 1,520 enquiries
- Online
- 12 months · Self-paced
- Regulated qualification
- Exam(s) included
- Certificate(s) included
- Tutor support
Great service

Highly rated

See more See less

Do you want to work in children's homes or boarding schools? If so, you must complete the TQUK Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare course. This course is ideal for candidates currently in, or moving into, a Residential Childcare setting.
£1,600