At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents with personal care, companionship, and meal preparation during night shifts.
- Company: Friends of the Elderly is a charity dedicated to providing compassionate care for older people for over 120 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid breaks, wellbeing support, retail discounts, and a group pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in older people's lives while building meaningful relationships in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have The Care Certificate or Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care, plus 6 months care experience.
- Other info: Free DBS checks and uniforms provided; flexible hours with pay enhancements for evenings and weekends.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Full Time - 36 hours per week - night shifts.
You must hold either The Care Certificate or a minimum of Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care.
Friends of the Elderly (FotE) is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to providing excellent care with a family feel, we have been supporting older people for over 120 years. The charity provides care home and day care services for older people, as well as grants for older people in financial difficulty.
Set in the picturesque Essex village of Copford, near Colchester, New Copford Place is a purpose-built residential care home, staffed by a committed and enthusiastic team.
Joining us as a Health Care Assistant, you will help our residents with various tasks including:
- Personal care.
- Companionship.
- Meal preparation.
- Mobility.
- Keeping care records up to date.
We would like our Health Care Assistant to join us with at least 6 months experience in a care home environment. Empathetic and respectful, self-motivated and flexible, you will be a team player who is always willing to go the extra mile, enabling our residents to lead fulfilled lives.
We would like you to have a real passion for care. Someone who sees this as an opportunity to build solid relationships with our residents, to allow them to live well in later life by putting them at the heart of all that you do. This isn’t just a job; it’s about making a difference to older people’s lives every day.
In return for your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a wealth of benefits:
- Learning, development, and progression.
- Paid breaks.
- Monthly prize draw, with 3 prizes to be won.
- Wellbeing support through various initiatives including an employee assistance programme.
- Retail discount schemes to make your salary go further.
- Access to loans at affordable rates, saving directly from salary and advance pay already earnt.
- Health cash plans for you and your family.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Long service awards, that increase with length of service.
- Refer a friend to work for us and receive a £200 bonus.
- Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
- Free parking at our homes and day clubs.
- Evening, weekend, and bank holiday enhancements to pay, as well as overtime premiums.
- Uniforms are provided.
- Free DBS checks.
Safeguarding: Keeping everyone safe is one of the charity’s core values, and is central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and, if they see or suspect abuse, we expect staff to report it straight away.
Criminal record checks: As this role involves a regulated activity, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS check, with barred lists check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Friends of the Elderly strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other’s differences. A charity where everyone is equal but definitely not the same. Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, all working together to create an inclusive workplace, which attracts and retains the best people. People that care and can make a difference.
We currently do not provide sponsorship but we welcome applications from those who have a right to work in the UK.
Don’t delay in sending your application as we may need to close the vacancy early if we manage to appoint before the advertising closing date. We interview applicants as they apply.
Please refer to the job description upon submitting your application.
Contact Detail:
Fote Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Health Care Assistant (Nights)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Friends of the Elderly. Understanding their commitment to providing excellent care with a family feel will help you align your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in a care home environment by preparing specific examples of how you've made a difference in residents' lives. This will demonstrate your empathy and respect, which are crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your flexibility and self-motivation. Think of instances where you've gone the extra mile for residents or adapted to changing situations, as these qualities are highly valued in a Health Care Assistant.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions about the team dynamics and support systems in place at New Copford Place. Showing that you're interested in building solid relationships with both residents and colleagues can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Health Care Assistant (Nights)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Health Care Assistant. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience in health and social care, particularly any roles that involved personal care, companionship, or working in a care home environment. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for care and your understanding of the charity's mission. Mention how your values align with those of Friends of the Elderly and express your desire to make a difference in the lives of older people.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fote
✨Show Your Passion for Care
During the interview, express your genuine passion for working in the care sector. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a difference in the lives of older people.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Respect
Be prepared to discuss how you approach personal care and companionship with residents. Use examples from your past experience to illustrate your empathetic nature and respect for the dignity of those you care for.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Make sure to mention your previous experience in a care home environment, especially if you have over six months of experience. Discuss specific tasks you performed and how they relate to the responsibilities of a Health Care Assistant.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer about the role and the organisation. This shows your interest and helps you understand more about the team dynamics and the values of Friends of the Elderly.