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- Tasks: Support older residents with personal care, companionship, and daily activities.
- Company: Friends of the Elderly, a caring charity with over 120 years of experience.
- Benefits: Career progression, wellbeing support, retail discounts, and health cash plans.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people every day.
- Qualifications: 6 months care home experience; empathy and flexibility are key.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to creating fulfilling lives for residents.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent, Full Time (36 hours per week)
Working Pattern: Days, Weekends
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.
New Copford Place is a residential care home set in Copford in the outskirts of Colchester, Essex. It is one of eight care homes run by the not-for-profit charity Friends of the Elderly. 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.
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. A Care Certificate is desirable but not essential. 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.
Rewards and Recognition
We really value the hard work and commitment of all 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, and 3 financial coaching sessions per person, per issue, per year
- Retail discount schemes to make your salary go further
- Monthly prize draw, with 3 prizes to be won
- 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 for care staff
- Uniforms are provided
- 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 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.
Health Care Assistant (Care homes) in Chelmsford 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 (Care homes) in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the charity's values and mission. When you walk into that interview, show us how your passion for care aligns with our commitment to making a difference in older people's lives. It’s all about connecting on that personal level!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to empathy and teamwork. We want to hear real-life examples of how you've gone the extra mile for residents in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask us questions during the interview! This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if we’re the right fit for you too. Think about what matters most to you in a workplace.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process. It not only makes it easier for us to review your application but also keeps you updated on your status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Health Care Assistant (Care homes) in Chelmsford
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 stories that highlight why you want to make a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Health Care Assistant. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, like personal care and companionship.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. This helps us understand your qualifications and enthusiasm without getting lost in unnecessary details.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t hesitate to hit that apply button!
How to prepare for a job interview at Friends of the Elderly
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Health Care Assistant and what it entails. Familiarise yourself with the specific tasks mentioned in the job description, like personal care and companionship. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the role.
✨Show Your Empathy
Since this role is all about making a difference in the lives of older people, be prepared to share examples of how you've shown empathy and respect in previous roles. Think of specific situations where you went the extra mile for someone in your care.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the charity's values, the team you'll be working with, or the training opportunities available. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
✨Be Yourself
Friends of the Elderly values diversity and inclusion, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Be honest about your experiences and what drives your passion for care. Authenticity can really set you apart from other candidates!
