Why are you interested in becoming a care assistant?

The responsibilities of a care assistant vary depending on their client but typically they include:

• Building up relationships with clients in order to gain an awareness of their practical and social needs
• Working with the client and other professionals to develop a care plan for the client
• Aiding clients with daily personal care such as washing, dressing and feeding themselves
• Carrying out everyday tasks for the client such as shopping, cooking or other domestic duties
• Helping people with mobilisation
• Assisting with client's general comfort
• Organising and supporting clients during recreational activities
• Helping clients with administrative tasks such as paying bills, managing budgets, letter or email writing
• Escorting clients to a destination (e.g. school, college or the shops)
• Giving palliative care to clients who are terminally ill
• Working with the families of the client, answering questions and helping them adapt to their caring responsibilities

  Care assistants provide practical help and support to people with physical and learning disabilities in a range of environments, such as residential homes, day centres or schools.

  Care assistants work to assess the level of care a client needs, working with other health and social care professionals to draw up a care plan for the client. The care assistant aids the client and their families with the client's personal, social and domestic care, carrying out tasks as varied as washing, shopping or supporting them with recreational activities. Care assistants may be based in a nursing or residential home or they could work in the community, visiting clients in their own home. Care assistants work with children, the elderly, and clients with physical or learning disabilities, supporting them on a weekly or daily basis as required