A domiciliary care worker is a paid care professional who visits people in their own homes, helping them to continue living independently. Everyone is different and so the level and amount of care can vary, depending on the clients’ needs. The client might be someone who needs a paid carer one hour a week or for several hours a day — the amount of time needed varies. It can also be temporary — some people might need a care worker while they recover from an illness, and in other cases the care is long-term. Some domiciliary workers work nights for those who need round-the-clock care.

✔ Personal care

✔ Assisting with household tasks

✔ Accompanying the client on visits to the doctor or hospital

It is vital to have a full, clean UK driving licence, and access to your own car. There usually aren’t any requirements to have academic qualifications such as degrees, A-Levels or GCSEs, but first aid skills and an NVQ in Health and Social Care (levels 2 and 3) are preferable. This would prepare you to work with clients living with dementia and learning difficulties.

You’ll also need background checks, such as a criminal record check and a medical check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). And work experience is important, so volunteer work will be valuable.

There are also apprenticeships available, where you start as a care assistant to gain experience and train on the job.

As a domiciliary care worker you will have some training on the job in health and safety and food hygiene. You also have to complete a 12-week induction to make sure that you meet the national minimum standards of care in the UK. This scheme includes:

✔ Equality

✔ Inclusion

✔ Safeguarding

✔ Health and safety

A domiciliary care worker is a paid care professional who visits people in their own homes, helping them to continue living independently. Everyone is different and so the level and amount of care can vary, depending on the clients’ needs. The client might be someone who needs a paid carer one hour a week or for several hours a day — the amount of time needed varies. It can also be temporary — some people might need a care worker while they recover from an illness, and in other cases the care is long-term. Some domiciliary workers work nights for those who need round-the-clock care.

✔ Personal care

✔ Assisting with household tasks

✔ Accompanying the client on visits to the doctor or hospital

It is vital to have a full, clean UK driving licence, and access to your own car. There usually aren’t any requirements to have academic qualifications such as degrees, A-Levels or GCSEs, but first aid skills and an NVQ in Health and Social Care (levels 2 and 3) are preferable. This would prepare you to work with clients living with dementia and learning difficulties.

You’ll also need background checks, such as a criminal record check and a medical check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). And work experience is important, so volunteer work will be valuable.

There are also apprenticeships available, where you start as a care assistant to gain experience and train on the job.

As a domiciliary care worker you will have some training on the job in health and safety and food hygiene. You also have to complete a 12-week induction to make sure that you meet the national minimum standards of care in the UK. This scheme includes:

✔ Equality

✔ Inclusion

✔ Safeguarding

✔ Health and safety