Home Care Assistant

You'll need:

• the ability to relate to people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• skills in communicating with tact and sensitivity
• the ability to remain calm under pressure

You'll be helping people in a residential home.

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• getting to know clients and their interests and needs
• helping with personal care like washing, using the toilet and dressing
• food preparation, feeding and giving out medication
• carrying out general tasks like housework, laundry and shopping
• helping clients manage their budget, pay bills and write letters
• supporting families to get used to new caring responsibilities
• giving emotional and practical support to children and young people
• 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

Working hours, patterns and environment

In a full-time job you'll usually work 24 to 36 hours a week. You could be asked to work shifts, including weekends.