Starting a career as a care assistant with no prior experience

We take great joy in accepting fresh caregiver assistants (also referred to as carers) into the Florence family, and we often receive inquiries about how to embark on this fulfilling profession.

Here is all the information you require to become a care assistant even if you lack prior experience.

Who is a care assistant?

Care assistants have a crucial role in our society.

As a care assistant, your responsibility is to provide care for the most vulnerable among us, including young children, disabled adults, and the elderly.

Care assistants are trained professionals who aid individuals in their daily lives. They may assist with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, social interaction, and providing medical and physical support. Some care assistants work in care homes, while others work directly in clients' residences.

Your objective is to enhance the quality of life for each client by ensuring their needs are met.

It is important to remember that being a care assistant is not suitable for everyone. It can be mentally and physically demanding, but it is also incredibly rewarding.

Discover more about the responsibilities of a care assistant in a care home here.

What qualities should a care assistant possess?

When contemplating a career as a care assistant, it is essential to assess your existing skills and determine what skills you need to acquire.

First and foremost, a good care assistant must have a genuine desire to help people. Clients may be highly anxious or occasionally aggressive, so patience and effective communication skills are crucial.

A good sense of humor and a kind, friendly nature will go a long way. These qualities will help you establish trust with your clients and their loved ones.

How can you become a care assistant?

If you are a caring, empathetic, and positive individual, becoming a care assistant should be a serious consideration. The excellent news is that you can enter this role without any formal qualifications. In other words, you do not need GCSEs, A-Levels, or a degree.

However, having certain official credentials can be advantageous.

Before applying for a care assistant position, you might consider obtaining:

• First Aid skills.
• A Level 2 or 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care.

An NVQ can teach you how to support individuals with learning difficulties and older adults with dementia. These skills will greatly benefit you as a care assistant.

Find courses near you on the National Careers Service government website.

Training while employed as a care assistant

Upon commencing your journey as a care assistant, you will be required to complete a 12-week induction program known as 'The Care Certificate.' You will undertake this program while actively working, and it encompasses both theoretical and practical learning.

This program ensures your comprehension of essential topics such as safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and health and safety.

After obtaining your Care Certificate, you will be able to perform certain aspects of your work independently, although you may still receive supervision for tasks not covered by the Certificate.

Gaining the Care Certificate demonstrates that you meet the required standard of care in the UK.

As a care assistant, learning is a continuous process, and as your career advances, you will need to partake in further specialized training.

What is the salary of a care assistant in the UK?

The average starting salary for a care assistant in the UK ranges from £12,000 to £16,000, depending on the geographical location of your employment.

As you gain more experience and complete additional qualifications (such as a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care, or a degree in Social Work or Nursing), your salary can increase to a range of £18,000-£21,000.

Certain contracts may include accommodation and food, and you have the opportunity to earn more through overtime work. If you transition into a supervisory position like a Senior Care Assistant or move into a managerial role overseeing individuals or services, your wage could potentially reach around £25,000 per year, or even higher.

What are the methods of finding employment as a care assistant? 

When starting out, it is possible to search for existing apprenticeships and job openings in the United Kingdom by visiting the government website and NHS website.

Once you have amassed more experience as a care assistant, you can broaden your horizons by joining an agency or using the Florence app to pick up shifts at different locations.

Further information about the government's support for care assistants can be found here. ‍

‍How can Florence assist you?

After completing a minimum of six months of employment as a care assistant, you are eligible to join Florence and have control over your shifts, pay, and work locations.

Florence does not charge for its services and provides a wide variety of available shifts once you sign up.

Each shift page contains a detailed description of the job, location, and pay, ensuring transparency before making a commitment.

Find out more about Florence here. 

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