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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Reality of care home work

26 replies

Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 07:53

I'm currently a support worker. Work in a supported living facility with 2 young people with learning difficulties.
I don't think it is for me, the clients are lovely, but I don't like the workplace and setup.
There are 2 of us at the house most of the day, and as a shy, quiet person I'm really struggling to be alone with another person all day. That person can often be one of two managers, and you often feel like you're being micromanaged.

The paperwork is relentless, I understand it's for CQC but there are constant streams of things to fill out. I also feel like there's favouritism here and people trying to outdo each other, plus it's an all-female team.

I am interested in care work. I think it would appeal to me to work with a larger range of clients and colleagues, and I think it's something I would find rewarding, working with elderly people. My Mum has worked in one as a nurse for many years and she doesn't deny how hard it is, but I'm really interested in the stories she tells me and would love to support elderly clients.

Does anybody have any information I may need to know? Anybody ever changed from support to care work?

I'm paid £9.30 an hour currently, I'm ok to take a slight drop if required.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 07:56

I would like a setting where there are a larger mix of colleagues and not constantly having a manager around if that's possible. Not saying always left to our own devices but a bit more independence.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 19/03/2021 07:59

Bottom line, most care homes are buisnesses that need to be profitable. Therefore they want their homes to have few vacancies at any time, and 'just enough' staff to cover things. Although the reality is the places are often understaffed. Its hard work because of this.

The paperwork and all female team wont change really. You do get a greater variety of clients though, and if elderly care is for you then id go for it

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 08:02

Thanks for the reply.
I'm always scared of landing in workplaces where there is bitching and bullying. Have considered going on agency too at times in order to not just be at one workplace.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 19/03/2021 08:05

I dont think you'd be able to REALLY know about bitching and bullying unless you know someone who currently works there to ask.

If you're truely done with your current job you could do agency work to find a place you liked, then see if there are any permanent positions and go from there. You'd be able to find out about the workplace culture that way too.

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 08:05

Just really struggling to be alone for 8 hours with one person, especially management.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 19/03/2021 08:07

Its sounding a bit like you have an issue with management? Is it the management where you are, or management in general?

vodkaredbullgirl · 19/03/2021 08:09

Work for an agency, then you get a wide range of places to go. I worked for an agency and 1 place I visited the most I applied for a job. I have been there 16 yrs and have worked my way up.

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 08:11

It feels like micromanagement sometimes, and it's just difficult for me as I am very introverted and shy.
Does anybody know if there is a lot of agency work available, could I make full time hours each week?

OP posts:
Warmsocks001 · 19/03/2021 08:12

Care homes are generally very busy work. They usually require carers and nurses to complete lots of paperwork, which is unavoidable in most care jobs. While you will get to work with more staff than you are now, you will probably find the staff to resident ratio isn't great and you will be very busy. Not the same everywhere, I have worked in places were there were lots of staff but lots don't have this luxury. You probably won't work alongside your manager but they will likely be in the building week days office hours. You will have more senior staff who will delegate and this will be much like the situation you're in now. Could you get a job working on the bank for a care home so you can try and get a feel for the kind of work first?

Akire · 19/03/2021 08:17

Work for a care agency the pay will be about Same minus travel costs and time. You will get maybe 60-70% elderly care then the rest younger disabled adults who could be from 18-65. Physical and learning disabilities so it may be quicker for you to find the niche age group or clients that’s your thing.

You will be on your own and outside covid could be out and about with clients and living as opposed to constant care rounds.

The hours can be a problem if spread out so it does have its disadvantages if you don’t earn enough but after say 6m you will be able apply for private PA carer jobs that you like and have experience for. You can also go it alone from the start and apply private jobs but you most likely need several clients to build up enough hours.

MonkeyNotOrgangrinder · 19/03/2021 08:22

Are you the same poster who works with adults with LDs and posted about their colleagues being horrified when you held one of them by the wrist? If so, I think you're probably not cut out for care work tbh

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 08:35

Thanks for the replies, I haven't posted before no

OP posts:
Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 08:36

Will look into care home jobs as a starting point and agencies.

OP posts:
Whatafrickennightmare · 19/03/2021 08:56

Hi I work in a respite supporting adults with disabilities. It can be very challenging atm with daily routine changed with Covid. I have went from loving my job pre covid to hating it, long shifts being inside with only so many activities we can do. I am struggling at home with my own family let along doing at work.
I have just got a job as a healthcare assistant at my local hospital, I love caring for people but like to keep busy and my current job is not ticking that box. What about something like that ?

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 09:08

Thanks that's a good idea, a healthcare assistant could be a good option.
I know that care homes seem to be short staffed a lot, I don't mind if it's busy, I think at this point I'm just looking for a less claustrophobic setting with greater variety and less micromanagement.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 19/03/2021 09:33

A healthcare assistant is a great idea. You also have the option of working in hospitals too.

CarolNoE · 19/03/2021 09:58

Hi OP, totally understand where you are coming from. I have just started with my county council in a care assistant role. It is a hospital discharge service unit, run in partnership with NHS and other agencies so social services, rehab, therapy etc, for patients after leaving hospital and onto the next part of their recovery/journey - returning home with a care package, waiting for a place in a care home etc. It seems a good balance of getting to know the patients enough to do person cented care but not getting sucked into their lives/families or till they die. Previously to this I had started what I thought was my dream job - supporting a lady with LD, her usual routine got blown out of the water due to Covid...no activities open, no hobbies/social stuf open. Like PPs it totally changed the job but it was the constant "being watched"/micromanagement by her family that tipped me over the edge. I had vowed never to work in a nursing home again, after a few years in two private nursing homes (which I still stand by) but there has to be something said for being in a crowd...so you can keep your head down and get the work done or to dilute others must to keep yourself sane! I am quite introverted but found the one to one can be too intense at times or draining. Good idea to do agency/bank to gauge potential work opportunities. Good luck x

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 10:02

I was on the sleep shift last night, another support Worker, a senior and a team leader all arrived around 9, they have literally been sat at the table talking for an hour and I'm doing all the work wtf is that about?!
The service users need a bath, house needs cleaning, finances need checking etc and I'm doing it all?!
So out of order, should I report them ?

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 19/03/2021 10:26

I work 12 1/2 hr night shifts, as a senior carer in a dementia unit. There is only 3 of us for 25 residents, we are lucky if we get a sit down by 3 am. We have cleaning to do as well as looking after residents, every night is different and not everyone is in bed.

Worked as a HCA in the local hospital, from 1992-2003. Agency for 2 yrs now where I am. Been there for 16 yrs, just shows my age now lol.

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 10:27

1h30 now... absolute joke. An agency worker has arrived and has agreed they're taking the piss.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 10:28

Two of them are senior but still, didn't know they were paid to sit around and gossip.

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 19/03/2021 10:30

I would report to your manager if you can, they are taking the piss.

Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 10:42

One of them is the manager, and there's the office but they're all friends by the sounds of it so not really sure. The senior went out for a fag after a hard 1h30 of nothing lol.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hawaiianpizza29 · 19/03/2021 11:21

I'm still on my 'trial' so can leave without notice technically though I'd want to give them a week. I have a valid DBS but not sure if I'd have to apply for another one if going through agency?

OP posts:
B33Fr33 · 19/03/2021 11:28

Domicillary care as a single carer would involve a drop.in pay but you would be at the other extreme and operating on your own essentially all day.

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