If you work as a care assistant please can you tell me about it

[acatcalledcatto]

I'm now a single parent to two children - a teen and a pre teen.

After years of not working, I am very lacking in confidence in myself. I need to be working soon though or we will be in dire straits financially, and full time or almost full time.

Pre DC I worked in retail but I think I'd like to work in care.

I'm pretty sure I could cope with the personal care and the emotional side of supporting people.

I am not sure about -

Is there much heavy lifting?? I have badly separated abdominal muscles and a shit core so don't want to risk prolapse by repeated heavy lifting. I don't mind 'normal' lifting. I know there are supposed to be procedures in place but are these always followed??

Is it really pressured ie time constraints, workplace bullying, really stressful ?? I can work under pressure and happy to take on criticism I know that, but I have like a fear of being bullied. I've had it in one previous job and used to dread work to the point it made me ill and it scares me tbh.

Is it worth doing a college course (NC Care), would that equip me more or is it better just to dive in?? Do employers value these courses??

Do you need to be outgoing?? I'd like to think I'm a kind person, and I'm polite and friendly and interested in people's lives, want to give the best possible care and respect, but I'm quite shy and reserved. My ex MIL was a care assistant and if someone didn't want a bath for example, she was good at trying to joke with the service users and jolly them along persuade them etc, whereas I'd find that a little difficult.

Is there anything else you think I should know??

I guess I just doubt myself and think can I really do this, will I fail..

Thanks for reading if you made it this far through my rambling!!

Thanks for the great advice @Milkshake7489.

I'll definitely keep that all in mind.

I can't drive but live near a city and adept at using the public transport. I could learn to drive and I'd like to, but right now I'm on UC after a split from long term relationship and so to get a license, car and insurance and MOT would be a pretty big undertaking and would involve asking family for help which is a big ask. So I'd need to have prospects of a full time job at around £10 per hour to be able to make driving work. I could get a license easier probably, but not run a car.

Good luck OP, you sound like you have a lot to offer. It has been interesting to read the replies and a lot of useful information. I have worked in various care setting - live-in PA (personal assistant), community care through to minimum wage care assistant in a nursing home. Like many have said it will be a case of finding where works for you best. You sound lovely and genuine so just be yourself...you don't have to be the centre of attention or the "class clown" to do the job well. You sound as if you will be able to stand your ground and advocate for your clients/residents. One tip is, if you can, when you get your DBS, old CRB check, try to get it registered on the Update system. You have to do this within 20 days of it being issued, via gov.uk website, at a cost of £13 and then you can renew it each year for the same price. It is all explained on website but it means your details can be checked by another organisation/employer (once you give your permission) so it will "fast track" you on any future applications. If the employer pays for your DBS check they will probably not give you the details, it will go on your file (they understandably won't want to pay out the fee and then you use it to flit off for another job). However, some places (the more unreputable/high staff turnnover) expect the applicants to pay the fee. In this case it is your money/certificate. I have renewed mine for the last 4/5years as it speeds things up when I fancy a change plus I volunteer for a charity so they can check me out and not take funds away from the charity, in order to do the red tape bit regarding me. I have had some great experiences and some terrible ones but you will always be able to get work - be true to yourself, respectful, honest and laugh when you look back at the bad bits. Look after yourself, get your dbs and references and take a bit fro each experience, good or bad. I'd love to hear how it goes if you have time to update this thread. Best wishes

7 minutes to get someone washed, dressed and up for breakfast......that place needs reported to the relevant authority.
I am quite a shy person and did not like meeting new people or starting something new. I went into care blind, simply because i couldn't get anything else and there were loads of care jobs. I took the plunge and i'm so glad i did, i love it. It has helped me develop too in myself, I'm a much more confident person. I spent 2 years in a private care home and i'm now in the NHS. Re wrong lifting practices, you will only find yourself doing that if you allow it, if someone asks you to carry out an illegal lift or move say no, you would rather do it properly with the correct equipment. The worst that can happen is that patient/resident has to wait 5/10 minutes to be moved up the bed or moved into a chair. Dont worry about how to chat to people or trying to calm down a distressed person that will come with time. If you have a desire to help people, compassion, honesty and just as important....patience and a very thick skin, you will do well.

If you're working in care please please join a union. Even if your workplace try and put you off. Its so important to protect yourself as you're putting yourself at a huge risk working with the industry. Also make sure you get a copy of your contract. My experience in care hasn't been hugely positive.The actual job and clients were fine, it was the companies that were the problem. There can be a lot of corruption, breaking of policies, working time and minimum wage regulations. Please protect and stand up for yourself

@CarolNoE (like the name btw) Thanks, and thanks for explaining that. I've already got a DBS but it is very old like 9 years old. I got it when I was going to start agency work catering in places that needed dbs, but then I only did it for 7 months as it was often too short notice for childcare. Can any new employer see that I was only there for 7 months do you know??

@oo0Tinkerbell0oo Thanks. I'm glad the change worked out for you.

@Dotty1219 Thanks. I'm sorry you've not had a great experience. As you say, it's not the clients it's some of the companies. I'll definitely join a union.

@acatcalledcatto the majority of clients were lovely and the actual care job I didn't mind, i enjoyed it. It was the companies just pushing and pushing. A lot of it was more about profit then people.

@acatcalledcatto I doubt it very much as it is to flag up any convictions not show up other employers...that would go against data protection/GDPR. The DBS (i think it would have been a CRB 9 years ago) can't be taken from job to job. Each organisation/employer has to apply for one (check you out so to speak) which is why I pay the £13 fee each year to keep myself on the Update system then it speeds things up if there is ever a backlog. However, I have known a new starter begin employment and do the induction while waiting for the DBS to come back...they were doing workbooks, training DVDs, the usual paperwork when starting a new job, in a side office. They were not out on the floor doing personal care, no decent care provider would put you or themselves in that situation.

I am ashamed to say I lasted one trial shift in a nursing home. I was not prepared for what I saw- I had never been around dying people before and it scared the absolute shit out of me. I have maximum respect for anyone who does a care job day in day out and think the pay should be far higher than it is.

However, my friend works as a carer that goes round to people's houses (not sure of the proper name) and she really enjoys it, finds it rewarding and flexible hours to fit around DC. Good luck OP as I said I have such respect for people who can hack it as I certainly couldnt!

I've worked in care homes since I was 17 now in my 30's. I LOVE it. We have a range of staff some who are extremely shy to some who don't know when to shut up 😂. We care for adults with LD and I can tell you it's very rewarding. Yes there is bullying sometimes but its more often than not sorted asap as you do need to work as a team. Nursing homes weren't for me as they didn't really get enough "time" for the residents where as where I am now unless they have an appointment we are very relaxed and it feels like home rather than a care home. We have cups of tea and cake with the families (pre covid). We have dinner with the residents and enjoy various outdoor and indoor activities. Yes there are some challenging behaviours and some messy jobs but we all do our fair share and get stuck in.
With regards to lifting.... its always a 2 person job and we never actually lift we use equipment to help us and are fully trained. I've not once seriously hurt myself (apart from a bit of back ache). Pay isn't the best but I do love it they my 2nd family 🙂

Thanks all of you.

That sounds great @itsalwayshard , you sound like you love it.

7 minutes to get someone washed, dressed and up for breakfast......that place needs reported to the relevant authority.

Sadly that's the reality in a lot of places. And the cqc don't really care as long as the care is adequate. Theres no legal minimum staff ratio so companies that are in it for profit squeeze everything out of it.
I was gobsmacked when I moved from private to nhs care. Its world apart. The nhs has its problems but i never felt like I had time limits or had to be sparing with things like pads or incos.

Sorry I will get slated but it's a horrible job rushed off your feet, short staffed, no quality time with patients, unable to physically do everything required constantly running around looking for spare clothes for patients whose relatives cant be bothered to provide.
Bitchiness between staff the list goes on