At a Glance
- Tasks: Support older residents with personal care, companionship, and daily activities.
- Company: Join Friends of the Elderly, a charity with over 120 years of caring experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people every day.
- Qualifications: Must have at least 6 months of care home experience and relevant qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 14 £ per hour.
Employment Type: Permanent - Part Time
Hours: 12 hours per week (Saturday 08:00-20:00)
Working Pattern: Weekends
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.
Orford House is a residential care home set in extensive grounds in Coulsdon. Our focus is to give older people in our care the chance to live fulfilled lives, whether they stay with us for a longer residential stay, or a short-term respite break.
Joining us as a 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 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.
Why Join Friends of the Elderly?
- Heritage of Care: Work with a trusted organisation backed by over a century of expertise.
- Non-Profit Mission: Be part of a charity that prioritises people, not profit.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Lead a cutting-edge care home designed for comfort and community.
- Professional Development: Access training and career development opportunities.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the culture and success of a brand-new care home, leaving a lasting impact on residents’ lives and the community.
Rewards and Recognition
We really value the hard work and commitment of all of our staff, and offer:
- Learning, development, and career progression.
- Wellbeing support through various initiatives including an employee assistance programme offering up to 10 counselling, 4 life, 4 leadership, 3 financial coaching sessions per person, per issue, per year.
- 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.
- Paid breaks in our care homes and day care services for care staff.
- 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 dealing with vulnerable adults, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS 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. 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.
Care Assistant employer: Friends of the Elderly
Friends of the Elderly is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of older people. With over 120 years of experience, we provide a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development, alongside competitive benefits such as a group pension plan and access to health cash plans. Join us at Orford House in Coulsdon, where you can contribute to a compassionate community while enjoying a rewarding career in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Friends of the Elderly. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your passion for care aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to care roles, like how you handle difficult situations or support residents with personal care. Role-playing with a friend can help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your personality! During the interview, let your empathy and respect shine through. Share personal stories that highlight your experience in care and how you’ve made a positive impact on residents’ lives. This will help the interviewers see you as a great fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and reinforces your enthusiasm for joining Friends of the Elderly.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Care:When writing your application, let your passion for caring for older people shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field, as we love to see genuine enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the role of a Care Assistant. Mention specific tasks from the job description, like personal care and companionship, to show you understand what we’re looking for.
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points if necessary to make it easy for us to read and find the important bits.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Friends of the Elderly
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the Care Certificate or Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care. Brush up on your knowledge about personal care, companionship, and meal preparation, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your genuine passion for caring for older people. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your empathy and respect for residents, showing that you truly understand the impact of your work.
✨Be a Team Player
Emphasise your ability to work well within a team. Discuss how you’ve collaborated with colleagues in the past to provide excellent care, and be ready to share examples of when you went the extra mile for residents.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask the interviewer about the care home’s culture, training opportunities, and how they support staff wellbeing. This shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of their mission and values.
