Carer roles - where to find ones that don’t require prior experience

[Nc3325]

NC for this.

Hi all, I’m hopeful someone can help me.

I’ve been in sales (financial services) my entire working life and I’ve come to the realisation it just isn’t for me anymore. The people, the environment, the targets, the corporate aspect etc.

I have also had an interest in caring. I’ve had a lot happen in recent years and it’s sort of solidified that it’ll be a good career change for me. I want to be fulfilled in my job and I want to be proud of what I do. I am a natural caregiver and very empathetic and compassionate and family members have often said I should look into either working with the elderly/residents in nursing or care homes or work with young children.

I am open to both. Unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to afford our mortgage and bills if I dropped to an apprenticeship wage so it seems an Early Years Apprenticeship (unless they would pay NMW) would be out of the question for the moment. So based on that I would love to get into being a carer - do any of you know the best route to take as I don’t have formal training or qualifications in this area so I would need something that provides full training and happy to take on people brand new to the industry.

I have contacted a couple of local care homes and they all require a minimum of one years experience so I’d love to hear your thoughts/experiences and to be pointed in the right direction of next steps.

Thank you

Have you considered caring for adults with learning disabilities?

That is something I was also thinking about! Do you know the best route in to that?

Many thanks for responding.

I don't think anyone is likely to take you on with absolutely no qualifications or experience. I'd look into getting some of both while keeping your current job. There are lots of voluntary posts working with the elderly that you could do around work. There are also some qualifications you could do part-time around work.

For any caring position (even voluntary) you will need a DBS check and a first aid certificate would be a plus in any caring job so you could get both of those sorted as a starting point.

Contact an agency rather than individual care homes. Any decent one will be able to train you and put you into roles.

Do you drive? I'm in Scotland so I don't know if it's different here, but many companies take on people with no experience/training to support people in their own homes, and offer training on the job. They are desperate for workers! This includes private care-at-home companies and third sector, such as British Red Cross.

I don’t but how about contacting Mencap about working in their homes?

Thank you for responding. I believe I have a dbs through my current role (financial services and they require various different background and financial checks etc)
I don’t believe you can apply for them independently anymore, they have to be requested by an employer.
I’m hoping I can find somewhere that is willing to take on someone new to the industry and provide full training as I’ve heard so often through the years that the country are desperate for carers so I’m hoping there will be somewhere because we all have to start out somehow 🤞🏻

Thank you, I have been looking at a few today and will continue to contact them.

Oh I hadn’t thought of that! Thank you, I will get onto that. Thanks for responding :)

I work with children with disabilities in a residential care home and we might employ you. Transferable skills such as driving, cooking and personal qualities such as patience can be demonstrated at interview. Good luck, this sector needs people who are proud to be a carer.

I don’t drive currently, it’s on my to-do list for next year. I have seen quite a few roles looking for people that drive which is a shame as I’m happy to take public transport and it’s very reliable round here!

That sounds so fulfilling, would you mind sharing some more details?

I don’t currently drive, it’s on the to-do list for next year! Public transport is very good here. I definitely have a lot of patience and empathy and would be so proud to go into this industry knowing I’d be able to have a positive impact on people’s lives ❤️

If you want to PM me your area, I could probably find you some leads. Tbh, most care work is minimum wage and you can get roles without experience.

For example, in my general area,
Nursing home https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/17401485 No experience needed.
Hospital https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/17349729 No experience needed
Domicillary Care (in the patient's own home) https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/17340594 No experience needed.

i moved into care 2 years ago after years in education then retail.

I had absolutely no problem being taken on with no experience. I’ve found that life experience counts for a lot… I have children and have volunteered in organisations.

I work with adults with learning disabilities and some physical disabilities. I work within a residential setting which is classed as challenging so I do get some bruises at times but I love it.

I’ve actually managed to get 3 jobs since changing career… the first 2 places weren’t a great fit for me but I really think this one is.

if you can drive and are willing to drive clients around in work vehicles that definitely opens more doors for you.

can recommend it pay isn’t amazing but I do 36 hours over 3 days and can pick my own shifts within reason. Loads of overtime available and we do sleepins where I get paid appropriately £100 for going to sleep so I’m there as support in case of a fire.

I’m so pleased you feel you’ve found the right fit, that’s so important!

would you mind sharing the company or agency you work for?

I don’t drive at the moment, it’s on the to-do list for next year! Public transport is super reliable though.

I did several years at a residential school for ages 4-25 with complex disabilities, they routinely take those with no experience as they don't accept transfers of skills so you have to get signed off/trained on most things anyway. Being caring by nature, understanding, with a good sense of humour was far more important to them! If you were happy to share your area I would almost certain know of something similar near you☺️

@Nc3325 I’m in the south west and work for a company that has 3 residential homes locally. There will be a surprising amount of places near you if you look on indeed or similar

I've sent you a couple of links to get started. Have a think about what it is you like about the idea of care. If it's physical support, then hospital/care home domiciliary care. If it's emotional support, also think wider to what age group and profile you'd be happiest with.

• children's residential carer
• classroom teaching assistant
• SEN teaching assistant in a mainstream school
• Activities coordinator in a care home
• SEN teaching assistant in a special school
• ELSA (would probably have to be a TA first)
• mental health support worker
• addiction support worker
• homelessness support worker
• therapy assistant (OT/Physio)

These jobs all need similar qualities, they just have a slightly different focus.

Have you looked at your local hospitals? Healthcare assistants don't require any previous experience.

I’d be happy to tell you more, but it might be better if you ask me questions. It’s good that you’re prioritising learning to drive. It’s not always possible to take the young people we support straight from school to a hospital appointment (as an example) on public transport.

This is a great list - thanks so much!

Thank you also for the links you sent across but when reading through they either require some experience or driving.

I have! It doesn’t seem they are hiring for HCAs at the moment.

Driving is a very useful skill for a carer tbh might be worth concentrating on that before changing career?