Does anyone work in care - experiences

[Cupcakes1234]

Hi

I'm looking for personal experiences of working in the care industry. I have been looking for a new job for a while and feel it would be rewarding for me and something new to work towards with qualifications (if an employer offered it).

Currently I work at McDonald's, Thursday and Friday nights sometimes until 1-2am and then up with my little boy 6-7am. However they give me the flexibility I need. I don't work weekends as it's time with my partner and son together.
So I'm hoping a job in the evenings 2-3-4 nights a week (weekday). Although occasional weekend wouldn't be the worst thing.

I'm also looking at care homes that would potentially employ someone with no experience in care. How difficult would it be to get into a home? I know they are crying out for community care, however I don't feel this is my best option.

Not really sure where else I'm going with this but I really do want to make a difference rather than serving the ungrateful public burgers. It's a scary thought of changing jobs to me. I've only ever worked in a hairdressers (apprenticeship from age 16 for about 5 years) and retail until the birth of my son who is 2.
I need evening work as we have no childcare and my partner works full time.

It isn't hard to get into care work (I think it should be harder) I wasn't a care-worker in a care home, but I was a student nurse. It is hard work, I'm not sure you can choose your hours really, I think it is more you work when they need you (unless you have a good reason for not working a shift) you should have set shifts though, sometimes they'll ask you to change to cover. They should offer qualifications though.

Agree, it should be harder to get into, it isnt hard. Easy come easy go ime.
Ring around, see what their hours are.
years ago i used to do 6 til 10 pm.
latest jobs i looked at were either 12 hour shifts, or 1 til 6 pm

If I were you and you said yes to an offer, I would just work a couple of shifts, and build myself up to it!

Thank you both! I am going to work on my CV later today and make it appropriate.

I really feel this could be my next career move. My working hours should become a little more flexible next year when my son can start nursery.

It's really easy to get into and most will be happy to train you up from scratch.

It's rewarding but really hard work at times and shifts in the care home that I work in are 12 hour shifts, although parents of children under 5 can choose set shifts to work and also work 7-3/9-3 shifts if available. Weekends are usually expected just to make it fair across all the staff in the care home.