A career caring for people in the community

You could work with local authority social services departments, private agencies providing care assistance, or with voluntary organisations

If you enjoy helping people and want to make a difference to their lives, this job could be just what you are looking for.

As a care assistant you would help people who have difficulties with their daily activities. You could work with children, people with physical or learning disabilities, older people or families.

It would be useful if you had experience in a caring role. When you apply for a job you will need to pass background checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

A good care assistant has a friendly and caring approach and the ability to relate to people from a variety of backgrounds.

Patience and a sense of humour are also important.

You could work with people (known as clients) in their own homes, in sheltered housing, at day centres or in places like nursing homes. Your exact duties may vary depending on where you work, but could include: Getting to know clients, their interests and their needs Helping clients with daily personal care such as washing, dressing, using the toilet and feeding themselves Carrying out general tasks such as housework, laundry and shopping Helping clients manage their budget, pay bills and write letters Helping families get used to new caring responsibilities Working with other health and social care professionals to provide individual care and development plans Helping to organise leisure activities Going with clients to and from a residential home (for example, young people who go to a local college) Your working hours will vary, depending on your job, and may include evenings, weekends or split shifts.

If you work at a residential location, you may be expected to stay overnight on a rota basis. In some jobs, for example as a personal assistant, you might live in.

Part-time hours are widely available.

If you work in the community you may need to travel between clients’ homes.

A friendly and caring approach a genuine desire to help people the ability to relate to people from a wide variety of backgrounds tact and sensitivity a respectful approach to clients patience and a sense of humour reliability and flexibility team working skills and the ability to use your own initiative the ability to work to health and safety guidelines the ability to remain calm under pressure

Starting salaries can be between £12,500 and £16,000 a year.

With experience, qualifications and extra responsibilities or specialist support worker skills this may rise to between £18,000 and £21,000.

A common way into this career is to do some volunteering work with an organisation that supports vulnerable people. You can also draw on personal experience of caring for someone you know.