Why become a Care Worker

Female care worker advising couple

If you are just about to leave school or you are looking for a change in career, there are many reasons to become a care worker. A genuine interest in caring for others can get you started on your social care journey. Many people start off by caring for a loved one or start as a volunteer. There are many more reasons why you should become a care worker, including:

By choosing to work as a Care Worker you can pursue and build a career making a difference in people’s lives. A career in the care sector is ideal for someone who has a naturally caring personality and is concerned about the welfare of other people.

Many jobs in the care sector allow you to work in your local community, with no long journey to work. Supporting those in your community gives you the opportunity to give back, and maybe even support someone who once supported you.

Knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life is one of the biggest rewards for being a good care worker. A career in care enables you to support individuals, helping them to live in their own homes and maintain their independence, which is an extremely rewarding experience.

Seeing the results of your hard work at the end of the day will leave you feeling satisfied that you have done your best to help your clients.

A career in care allows you to move up the social care ladder, gain further qualifications and build your career on the path that you choose. Many Registered Managers start their careers as care workers.

As well as meeting your new service users, you’ll be part of a larger team of carer workers and healthcare professionals that you can get to know. Being a care worker allows you to get out and about more in your local community and meet new people.

“Words can’t express the gratitude I have for them. They are there for me when I need them and have always gone the extra mile. The freedom I have is down to them”

Pam, Service User, Scunthorpe

What does a Care Worker do?

Care Workers provide support to adults of all ages in the community or a care home setting. The primary role of a care worker is to ensure the well-being, safety, and comfort of the people they care for.

Care workers who work in the community are sometimes called Domiciliary Carers, which often involves travelling to different people’s homes.

The people you would be caring for could include adults with learning disabilities, physical impairments, dementia or those who need mental health support. Your compassion would enable support people to:

  • Remain living independently in their own homes
  • Live in residential or nursing care homes
  • Be part of their community

A Care Worker’s role may include some personal care (assisting with daily personal activities such as washing, bathing and dressing) and assisting people with their mobility and domestic jobs. It could also involve engaging people with social and physical activities, helping them to access services in their community or communicating with their family.

What values do I need to work in the care sector?

Working in the care sector requires certain values and qualities that are essential for providing effective and compassionate care to individuals, including:

  • Empathy and compassion
  • Dignity and respect
  • Patience and tolerance
  • Integrity and trustworthiness
  • Learning and reflection
  • Commitment to quality care and support

Is a role in the care sector right for me?

At Proud to Care North Lincolnshire we have a great wealth of training and development opportunities for people who want to make a difference to people’s lives, in a role that encourages developing your skills, is rewarding and allows for career progression.

“I love my job, it’s so rewarding and the satisfaction I get from making someone’s day is just fantastic. So if you’re thinking about caring and have a good heart then I would say go for it, you won’t regret it – I didn’t.”

Carol, Care Worker

The following resources may help you to find out if you have the right values and attitude to begin a career in care:

What roles can you have in care?

Working in care is about making a difference to people’s lives by providing physical, emotional and social support to help people live their lives. Whatever your skills, there is a career in care to suit you.

Care assistants can work in either residential settings or offer support in people’s homes. Duties include:

  • Helping people get up or go to bed
  • Serving meals
  • Assisting people to take part in activities and hobbies
  • Personal Care and supporting emotional well-being
  • Can be referred to as: Care Assistant, Carer, Care Worker

Support Workers are similar to Care Assistants but there is more focus on independent living.

They can either work in residential homes or may work for individuals in their own homes. In addition to the role of the Care Assistant duties may include:

  • Providing help in organising and attending appointments
  • Processing bills or helping with housing and advice
  • Helping people go shopping and getting out to do things they enjoy

The role of Team Leader or Senior Care Assistant would include the duties of a care assistant but also hold some additional responsibilities such as:

  • Supporting and encouraging a team of care assistants
  • Completing reviews of staff and ensuring they are delivering quality care
  • Any additional duties assigned by the home manager
  • Regularly assessing service users and looking for changes in their care needs

The role of Deputy/Assistant Care Manager can be based either in a residential home or as a manager of a team of carers for a domiciliary care provider. Duties include:

  • Manage and coordinate day to day running of the service
  • Ensure high levels of care and service being offered by staff
  • Work with other care/health professionals
  • Monitor and uphold quality standards of the service
  • Support the registered manager

Rota coordinators are responsible for ensuring a service is fully staffed at all times.

This involves putting together shift patterns for each member of staff and identifying any issues. Duties include:

  • Raising any staffing issues and absences
  • Arranging cover for shifts needed
  • Working with local agencies to find staff if cover is not available
  • Other roles could include admin, finance, HR, and marketing

These are just a few of the varied and interesting roles in care. All will help you develop transferable skills and are incredibly rewarding.

Are you ready to get involved in care and make a difference?

What are the benefits to you of being a Care Worker?

Not only is working in the care sector a rewarding and fulfilling career but there are also many tangible benefits for you too. Find out more by watching the video below.

Photo of woman exercising at the gym
Wheels to Work for Carers Poster Image
Photograph of children at daycare