Care home interview advice, really nervous!

[Beebityboo]

I've got a job interview next week for a care assistant in a (wonderful) care home. I've been out of work raising the DC's for eleven years so I am so nervous about it.
I really, really want this job so any interview advice/advice about elderly care work would be really appreciated!

I am in the industry, read up the definition of Safeguarding I always used to ask that question in interviews and was impressed when someone knew in understood the definition (it's not about health and safety as such which is a very common answer). Its about who you are, theres a lot that can be trained but i was always looking for the person with the right attitude that didn't mind getting their hands dirty (so to speak) and wouldn't be precious.

Good luck Care homes are very hard work but in my opinion worth it.

Oh and if you want to have a Google about Moving and positioning , and frankly if I had a care worker come in who knew anything about CQC I would bite their hand off. You dont need to know chapter and verse by any means but it would certainly have impressed me. Care staff are in short supply but I've had some doozies apply. It's mainly about being seen to be flexible and being prepare to work hard (even if you have shift restrictions it's about how you come across and whether you are prepared to learn and adapt where you can)

Sorry should have said I used to be a Care Manager , senior manager in home care and residential , care consultant and now I train and assess, I promise I've interviewed in this scenario to reassure you I'm not talking out of my backside.

A typical question is 'What would you do if you witnessed a staff member doing something you were uncomfotable with' ( shouting,hitting,pulling,denying food etc etc)
Good luck.

Thanks this is all SO helpful!

I do have shift restrictions due to childcare but am hoping to work nights if I can. How would I phrase it so I still look flexible?

I know from places I have worked that places often really struggle to recruit night staff. Is the job advertised as mixed shifts or one or the other?

It's mainly the difference between saying " you will need to give me x, y z shifts to suit my pattern" and " my childcare means that I will need to focus on night shifts , if I ever have childcare in the days I am more than happy to help out but currently I dont have that option". Dont offer to do something you cant but I had people come in demanding I work around them ,(tone of voice expectations etc) and I wouldn't hire them . They will be expecting some restrictions it's more the attitude, no care manager hires someone demanding if they can help it. Saying that childcare is a common issue.

Dont take it personally if they cant offer you exactly what hours you need , it really isn't personal , if the shift isn't available , it's just not available.

It's just saying it that you prefer it for childcare reasons not that you expect them to work around you because you demand (you would be amazed at how many people can be quite rude about this!!) does that make sense ?

Makes perfect sense, thank you! I don't in any way expect them to work around me but childcare/school holidays means nights and weekends are my main availability.
I've not had any real information on what sort of hours/shifts are available yet.

(I'm an HCP and have worked in Care Homes as part of my visits)

Some are bloody awful, you know the phrase about "wouldn't leave a dog here" ...?

I would say (as a visiting HCP ) when I go into homes -

I would put the dignity and respect of the resident/client high up. How do they want to be addressed ? Any 'pet'names (so they might be Margaret but get called Hettie)

Safeguarding. Signs of neglect and abuse (especially a new resident) or any visiting relatives (taking money or items for example)

Prevention of pressure areas (huge issue)

Being aware of religious or ethical values . Can be dietry or regarding to clothing /uncovering.

Contact with relatives - some are devastated to put their loved one in Care even if they cannot safely cope and everyone has adviced this is the best option.
If there's dementia the character can change dramatically .
ITU infections too (very common , people don't drink enough because they don't want to be up in the night)

And if your friendly neighbourhood NHS Podiatrist comes to visit , be nice to us