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- Tasks: Support residents with personal care, companionship, and meal preparation during night shifts.
- Company: Join Friends of the Elderly, a charity with over 120 years of experience in compassionate care.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, wellbeing support, and discounts to make your salary stretch further.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in older people's lives while working in a vibrant, state-of-the-art community.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just bring your passion for care and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Be part of shaping a new care home and enjoy a supportive, inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Contract type: Permanent – Full Time (42hpw average)
Hours: 12 hour shifts, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m working on rolling rota of 3 consecutive days on and 3 consecutive days off
Working Pattern: Nights, Weekends
About Us
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.
About Friends Place, Calcot
Due to open in July 2025, Friends Place, Calcot will be more than just a care home - it will be a vibrant, welcoming community designed to provide exceptional residential, dementia, and respite care.
Run by Friends of the Elderly, where we pride ourselves on delivering personalised, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility.
Located in the heart of Calcot, Reading, our home will feature:
- A cinema for residents to enjoy movie nights and entertainment.
- A stylish salon offering professional pampering.
- A peaceful library for reading and reflection.
- A vibrant bar for socialising and relaxation.
The modern facilities are designed to create a warm and homely environment where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.
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 be someone who has 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. 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.
No prior experience is needed, as we will give you all the training you’ll need to excel in this role.
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. While we take a commercial approach to our work, we are not for profit and we are committed to our charitable values.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Lead a cutting-edge care home designed for comfort and community.
- Professional Development: Access training and career development opportunities.
Make Your Mark
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.
In return for your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a wealth of benefits:
- Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
- Generous annual leave.
- Wellbeing support through various initiatives, including an employee assistance programme.
- Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
- Monthly prize draw, with 3 prizes to be won.
- 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.
- 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.
Care Assistant - Nights employer: Friends of the Elderly
Contact Detail:
Friends of the Elderly Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Assistant - Nights
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the values and mission of Friends of the Elderly. Understanding their commitment to compassionate care will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing your passion for making a difference in the lives of older people.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant personal experiences that demonstrate your empathy and ability to connect with others. Whether it's caring for a family member or volunteering, sharing these stories can make you stand out as a candidate who truly understands the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your flexibility and willingness to work night shifts. Since this role requires working from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., showing that you are adaptable and ready to embrace this schedule will be crucial in your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the specific facilities and services offered at Friends Place, Calcot. Being knowledgeable about the cinema, salon, and library can help you express how you would contribute to creating a vibrant community for residents.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Assistant - Nights
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and qualities required for a Care Assistant. Highlight your passion for care and ability to build relationships with residents in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects relevant skills and experiences that align with the role. Even if you lack direct experience, emphasise transferable skills such as empathy, teamwork, and flexibility.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your motivation for applying. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to caring for others and how you embody the values of Friends of the Elderly.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application shows 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 caring for others, especially older people. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, as Friends of the Elderly values empathy and compassion.
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Familiarise yourself with Friends of the Elderly's mission and values. Highlight how your personal values align with their commitment to providing compassionate care and making a difference in residents' lives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think about examples from your past where you've demonstrated patience, teamwork, or adaptability, even if they are from different contexts.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the training process, team dynamics, or how the organisation supports its staff in delivering high-quality care. This shows your interest in the role and the organisation.
