At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents with personal care, companionship, and meal preparation.
- Company: Friends of the Elderly is a charity dedicated to providing exceptional care for older people.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid breaks, wellbeing support, retail discounts, and a group pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Must have The Care Certificate or Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care, plus 6 months experience.
- Other info: Join a diverse team in a picturesque setting, with opportunities for learning and progression.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Full Time – up to 36 hours per week – day shifts, plus some weekends and bank holidays.
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, 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.
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, seeing this as an opportunity to build solid relationships with our residents, allowing 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 earned.
- 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, central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and are expected to report any suspected abuse immediately.
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 accept each other’s differences. Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, creating an inclusive workplace that attracts and retains the best people.
We currently do not provide sponsorship but welcome applications from those who have the 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.
Health Care Assistant employer: Friends of the Elderly
Contact Detail:
Friends of the Elderly Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Health Care Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Friends of the Elderly. Understanding their commitment to providing excellent care and a family feel will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing your passion for care.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in a care home environment. Be prepared to discuss specific situations where you've demonstrated empathy, respect, and flexibility, as these qualities are essential for a Health Care Assistant role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare questions to ask during your interview that reflect your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquiring about their training programmes or how they support staff wellbeing can show that you're genuinely invested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Friends of the Elderly if possible. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Health Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully 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 care, particularly any roles where you provided personal care, companionship, or meal preparation. Use specific examples to demonstrate your empathy and respect for residents.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for care and your commitment to making a difference in the lives of older people. Mention your qualifications, such as The Care Certificate or Level 2 NVQ, and express your enthusiasm for joining Friends of the Elderly.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application materials for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Friends of the Elderly
✨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 empathy and respect. Use examples from your previous experience to illustrate how you prioritise the dignity and comfort of residents.
✨Highlight Your Team Player Skills
Since teamwork is crucial in a care home environment, emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with others. Share instances where you successfully contributed to a team effort, especially in challenging situations.
✨Understand the Importance of Safeguarding
Familiarise yourself with safeguarding policies and be ready to discuss their significance. Show that you understand the responsibility of keeping residents safe and how you would handle any concerns that may arise.