Community Care Assistant

kizzyw

Im tempted to apply for this job but wondered if any one could tell me what its really like.Best bits,worst bits.Its not something ive ever done before so any tips advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks

DVardysShadow

Worst bit:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1620163

Thankfully, this sort of thing is probably rare. but I come away with the impression that the clients can abuse the carers as much as the otherway about.

kingfisherblue

I employ two care assistants through Direct Payments, to look after my son. One finds it easier to look after him at her house (although she sometimes comes here) and the other prefers to come to mine. I let both bring their children to mine - it makes life easier for them as parents, and also means that my son has children to play with.

My daughter is also employed as a care assistant. She has a variety of clients, mostly regulars. Some are children and others are adults. She enjoys her work most of the time. Things like cleaning incontinent adults probably isn't her favourite part of her role, but it doesn't really bother her. She uses hoists when necessary (and has the training to do so). I think her worst part is filling in the evaluation forms at the end of shifts in regular clients houses - they are left at the homes of the clients, so are available for them to read. She has mentioned that she doesn't really like this aspect, as she feels slightly awkward if there is something negative to write. I think she feels that the cleint might hold it against her. She's only 19, though, and in her first job. She has also had problems with confidence for most of her life, so maybe other people wouldn't mind this aspect. (Just to note that she has never discussed details with me, as she takes confidentiality very seriously).

Travelling isn't great, as she doesn't drive. She gets two buses each way to one client, who she visits every day except Saturday (twice on Wednesdays). It takes longer to travel there than the entire length of her trip.

Her day is very broken up, starting at 7.30am and sometimes finishing at 10.30pm, but with breaks between each shift. Wages are higher per hour than the minimum for her age. She gets at least £6.45 an hour, sometimes more depending on the client (nursing home shifts pay £7+). If a shift is an hour or less, she gets £6.95 minimum. Few shifts pay travel expenses - just nursing home shifts.

Shifts can sometimes be cancelled at short notice. The agency also rings to ask if she can get somewhere, sometimes at less than one hour notice, but more usually with about 2-3 hours notice.

She is doing NVQ2, paid for by her agency.

On the whole, she enjoys her work and is hoping to go into nursing as a result. She's happy where she is for now, though, and is saving for driving lessons, which will make her travelling time shorter and hopefully available for more work.

kizzyw

Thanks so much for your replies.If i get the job i will be visiting the elderly in their homes....will ask for more info if i reach interview stage.:)

guccigoo

ive just applied to do home care for the elderly as well which will suit me as i can choose my own hours to fit round the kids. i used to be a careworker so i know what the job entails. just hope i hear from them soon

kingfisherblue

My daughter was told it would be elderly people, but the agency secured a few contracts with children with disabilities. My daughter has some experience of this, as my son is disabled.

Good luck to you both x

doodlesmum

Hi,
I have been a care worker for 19yrs ,15yrs spent as a community care worker in which time i have gained my NVQ 3.I also do support work with adults with learning difficulties.
I would"nt do any job now i really enjoy my work.Community care work involves assisting a person to live independently at home.You would carry out duties as personal care,shopping etc.You will also be trained on manual handling which is how to use hoists,lifting aids and courses to do with continence too.
It is physical work and it can be very mentally demanding but also very rewarding.You mainly work on your own but may have double up calls that need two care workers.You need to be prepared to work weekends most employers usually ask you to work every other and days can be split you can get morning,dinnertime then the evening calls.
Best bits you can build up a really good working relationship with the people you help this gives real job satisfaction the worst bits are getting a service user who can be unpleasant but this will happen in every job people are all different.
Hope this helped a bit,good luck

Doodlesmum.

kizzyw

Thank you for such an informative post.Im really looking for a job where i get at least some job satisfaction.Yes i'd love to work Mon to Fri but i'd also love to win the lottery:rotfl:Really hope that this will be the job for me,only thing that worries me slightly is the personal care/incontinence bit.Not done anything like this previously but im sure this is something i will get used to in time.
The other thing that worries me is getting too involved/close to clients and not being able to leave work at work as it were as im the type that would end up visiting on my days off:cool:

Money_maker

I have also been doing this work for a while - evenings only to work around the children. Would agree with doodlesmums post on what the job entails.
This type of work brings many rewards - particularly if you get on well with older people.

Personally, for me, the down side is the management at the office rather than the clients (service users) and I suspect many fellow workers in this sector would agree!
Also, new carers do sometimes have problems with the personal care side of the job - tends to be more difficult for the younger girls who haven't had children and dealt with that type of care before.

I'm sure you'll love it - lots of training will be available and NVQ options to study.

doodlesmum

Glad it helped .The personal care can be tricky to deal with at first but it soon becomes easier i had no children when i first started and it did worry me but i soon got used to it .
You do build up a good working relationship with your clients it is a rewarding job the trick is to keep it at that, a good working relationship you will get clients you will think a lot of but as long as you remember it is work you will be fine.
Good luck

Doodlesmum.

kizzyw

:T Well im definitely going to give it a try,hopefully application form should be here tomorrow.
Thank you all so much,guess i was having a confidence wobble but feel so much more prepared now xxx