Care Worker (also linked to Care Assistant/Senior Care Worker/Support Worker)
A care worker is a front line member of staff who work directly with people who have care needs. They may have a variety of duties depending on the person that they are working with and their needs on that day.
Some of the duties of a care worker may include:
- assisting with eating, mobility, washing or dressing
- providing interesting activities for the service user to do
- monitoring the health of the service user, for example taking their temperature or pulse rate
- helping service users to live as independently as possible
Training and Qualifications
There are no specific minimum entry qualifications for the role of a care worker although all care workers must go through a DBS check and will need to undertake induction training when they begin their role. From April 2015 all care workers will be expected to undertake the Care Certificate. Care workers may also need to undertake training in areas such as health and safety, infection control, moving and handling, first aid and food hygiene. Once they have completed their induction training, care workers should be encouraged to undertake a Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care.
More Information
Visit the Skills for Care Think Care Careers website for more information on the roles of a Care Worker, Senior Care Worker and Support Worker.
