How to Become a Carer

How to become a carer

Care workers are in always in high demand given the UK’s aging population continues to grow. In this section we discuss how to find and apply for a rewarding job as a professional home carer.

Where to apply

Someone thinking of a career in care should first decide if they are going to operate as a self-employed or an employed carer. For those new to care, it is recommended to work for a CQC-regulated care provider who can provide the training and support needed to progress and learn. For those planning on being a self-employed carer, unless they already have long-term clients lined up, they should sign up to one or more introductory care agencies to help them source a consistent selection of clients.

There are many places to look for care jobs:

• Online jobs sites or search engines such as Google
• Adverts in the local paper
• Adverts on local notice boards
• Social media
• Care company websites
• Care company directories

Choosing the right company

Employers can range from charities, small local companies, to franchises as part of a larger care group. The main difference between these companies will be:

• The services they provide, for example live-in care vs visiting care
• The locations they cover
• Their clientele, for example disabled adults, those at end-of-life, or those requiring complex nursing led care
• Their CQC rating (if they are registered) as this generally signifies the quality of service expected by the client and treatment of staff
• Their staff benefits such as bonus schemes, training, pay rates and company culture

Any prospective carer should ensure that they apply for the agency or care provider that is right for them.

A company’s website should have all the information needed to make an informed decision. Staff review sites, such as glassdoor.com, also offer valuable insights into what it is like to work for a certain company.

The application process

Different employers will have different application and recruitment processes, but expect to need the following to progress an application:

• Proof of a Right to Work in the UK
• A CV
• References from previous employers
• Any relevant training certificates or qualifications

Most applications will need to be completed online, but some companies may allow applications in other ways such as by post, over the phone, or in person.

Successful applicants can expect to be invited to an interview. This may be a face-to-face interview, or it may be via an online video call.

The interview

There are many different things that can happen during an interview for a care worker position depending on the stage of the application, the role, and the company.

Applicants will usually be expected to bring the relevant paperwork at this stage of the process which may include documents, certificates, and background checks. The interview will likely take the form of a conversation between the applicant and the recruiter who will ask questions aimed at determining relevant prior experience, behavioural traits, competency, and desired working patterns.

Starting a care job

It usually takes between two to six weeks from initial application to a carer being appointed.

The main thing that might delay starting work as a carer is the acquisition of a valid DBS. DBS checks are made on applicants to prove they are certified as safe to work with vulnerable adults.

A start date can also depend on a company’s specific induction process, along with any additional training they may require. This will all be discussed during the interview or application process. This will vary from company to company and dependent on the individual’s experience, qualifications and the role they have applied for.

Do I need a DBS?

Every professional care worker in the UK needs a valid DBS to start working. There are three levels of DBS and for most homecare jobs, an enhanced DBS will be required. This can only be requested by eligible organisations or companies.

What is a DBS?

The Disclosure and Barring Service helps employers make safer recruitment decisions by processing and issuing DBS checks for England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. It is a legal requirement for those working in adult health and social care.

If a carer already has an enhanced DBS, they can use the DBS Update Service. This is an online subscription service that allows them to keep their standard and enhanced DBS certificates up to date. It also allows employers to check a certificate online, with consent. The update service costs £13 per year and starts from the date the DBS certificate was issued. Not all employers will accept this however and may still request a new DBS is raised.

There are three levels of DBS Check:

Basic

The basic level is a check on criminal history. Individuals can apply for this level of DBS.

Standard

A standard DBS check is an in-depth criminal record check which shows information of all cautions, warnings and reprimands recorded.

Advanced

An enhanced check includes all the information contained in a standard DBS check plus additional information such as a listing on the Children’s Barred List or Adult First list. Most roles in education and health care require the Enhanced DBS Check due to the nature of the work and the groups of people a carer will be supporting.

Overseas checks

If the applicant has lived outside the UK for a period of more than six months within the last five years, or they are applying from overseas, they may be required to provide a police check from that country to account for their time spent outside of the UK.

Working with multiple agencies

Most employed carers will be contractually obliged to only work for one care provider; however, they can sometimes be employed with other companies outside of the sector. Self-employed carers, on the other hand, often sign up to multiple care agencies to maximise their chance of being offered assignments. This can however lead to scheduling conflicts between the different agencies.

COVID-19 vaccination

It is always best to check the official government guidelines regularly via the gov.uk website to determine whether carers carrying out face-to-face CQC-regulated care activities need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Most clients will however request a carer who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and this is reflected in who care companies and agencies are looking to take on.

Our next section looks at how to become a carer in the UK from overseas. This includes details about the right to work and answers to other frequently asked questions. Download our complete Guide to Becoming a Carer for free. Everything you need to know about becoming a carer in one handy pdf which you can print out or read digitally.