Lorraine Light, education and development consultant for Nestor Healthcare Group.

Community Care Worker

Answers supplied by Lorraine Light, education and development consultant for Nestor Healthcare Group, whose mission is to be a leading and valued partner in UK health and social care. The Group has more than 50 years’ experience in providing health and social care and employs more than 3,700 people across more than 300 sites, including East Anglia. Their philosophy of care helps to ensure that individuals remain as independent as possible within their own homes by providing tailored programmes of support and care.

What does the job entail?
Care workers provide tailored, individual help to people who need assistance to remain independent in their own homes through a variety of services to assist with everyday activities. This support can include companionship, help with domestic tasks including shopping, meal preparation, practical support with household administration and personal support, including getting up or going to bed.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
You may not need formal qualifications to begin a career in social care, but once you start there will be opportunities to develop your skills through training. This may lead on to qualifications such as an NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care. You need a caring nature with the ability to work on your own and as part of a team and you should also have the ability to encourage independence in the people you support. You will also need to complete an induction training course and supply an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

What type of person will fit in?
One of the most important criteria is a genuine caring for people. The clients’ needs always come first which means you need a mature approach, excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to work in a team and a non-judgemental approach as well as being reliable, punctual and having a good attendance record.

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
There is a variety of work, no two days are the same, but you may be required to work some weekends, bank holidays or evenings. Flexible hours of work can be offered to fit around family life and other commitments. You will work with a group of clients on a regular basis, building up strong working relationships. You will make the difference to your clients’ lives.

What opportunities exist for career progression?
You will be encouraged and supported to undertake training and development leading to NVQ level 2 in Care. For those taking on a supervisory role an NVQ level 3 qualification may be helpful. Career opportunities exist within the industry for individuals wanting to progress to managerial level and acquire level 4 management qualifications. Some social care workers decide to develop their career pathway and go on to train to become social workers, with responsibility for assessing and planning the levels of support that people need.

What can I expect to earn?
Care workers with little experience and no qualifications will earn a minimum hourly rate (there are regional variations), plus enhancements for weekend, unsocial hours and bank holiday working. Additional payments are usually available for senior care workers who have achieved NVQ qualifications. Individuals with the passion and drive to progress will have the opportunity to move into management, from co-ordinator or branch manager, and could develop a more senior Regional Operational role with a salary in excess of £30,000.

Any hints on getting a job in this area?
For more information about working in social care and gaining experience look at the websites www.skillsforcare.org.uk or www.socialworkcareers.co.uk (tel 0845 604 6404). Vacancies regularly appear in your local newspapers and are placed with Job Centre Plus (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk). There are opportunities to join the social care teams at the Nestor group in East Anglia, for details go to www.nestorhealthcare.co.uk.