Frequently Asked Questions
Job descriptions don’t always tell you everything you wanted to know, so we’ve collected a list of some of the questions we are often asked about working in care. We hope the answers are helpful.
Q. Can you give me some idea of what a carer does?
A. Carers provide people with the care and support that they needed. These are people who can’t fully care for themselves-often older people, or those with health problems.
Q. What kind of work will I have to do for the residents?
A. This varies, but it may help to think about the tasks that are needed throughout the day. Helping people to get up in the morning and ready for bed at night. In between, you give whatever help is needed-this would often be tidying up or preparing meals. But we shouldn’t forget the fact that while all this is being done you are also a friendly face.
Q. I’m not sure about 'personal care' would I have to do this?
A. Most experienced carers will remember sharing this anxiety when they started work! Personal care is part of the carers role. This means assisting clients with bathing/showering, assisting clients to use the toilet and helping change incontinence pads. Induction training and work shadowing are really effective at overcoming any awkwardness and embarrassment.
Q. Would I have to work unsocial hours?
A. Because residents need our care 7 days a week throughout the day and evening, we do try to 'share out' the unsocial hours. Very few people want to work every weekend, for example.
For fairness, we usually ask that each carer is available for at least alternate weekends. If this is a problem for you then please discuss this at your interview.