At a Glance
- Tasks: Support older residents with personalised care and maintain their dignity and independence.
- Company: Join Friends of the Elderly, a charity with over 120 years of experience in compassionate care.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, wellbeing support, and a group pension plan with a 6% contribution.
- Other info: Opportunities for learning, development, and progression in a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of older people every day in a vibrant community.
- Qualifications: 2 years of care experience and strong communication skills are essential.
Contract type: Permanent
Full Time 42 hours per week (average)
Working Pattern: Days - working on rolling rota of 3 consecutive days on and 3 consecutive days off (8am to 8pm).
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
Friends Place, Calcot is more than just a care home - it's a vibrant, welcoming community designed to provide exceptional residential, dementia, and respite care. Run by Friends of the Elderly, we pride ourselves on delivering personalised, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility. Located in the heart of Calcot, Reading, our home features a cinema, a salon, a tea room and a vibrant bar designed to create a warm and homely environment where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.
As our home grows, we have an opportunity for Senior Care Assistants to join us. Joining us as a Senior Care Assistant, you will be working as part of a dedicated team and will act as a key worker for a named group of residents. You will assist with formulation and maintenance of residents' care plans to deliver person-centred care, unique to each individual, and support and enable our residents to maintain key skills, personal interests, independence, choice, and dignity, so that they can lead fulfilled lives. You will make sure our residents are safe and comfortable. You will act as a champion for their safety and dignity. You will support the Care Manager with leading the team in providing quality, individualised care for our residents in line with procedures and policies. You will make sure that clear, accurate records are kept. You'll follow our procedures for administering and dispensing medication. You will maintain a safe, clean workplace and follow infection control protocols.
To succeed in this role, you will need great communication and interpersonal skills, so that you can form great relationships with your residents and effectively hand over information to colleagues. Number and digital skills are also required along with the ability to problem solve and adapt to situations, and to recognise and report situations where there might be a need for safeguarding. You will have at least 2 years experience in a care setting, ideally with an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, or working towards it. You will be able to take the initiative, be hardworking, have a compassionate nature and a positive can-do attitude. We'll provide you all the outstanding training and tools that you need; all we ask is a willingness to learn and a genuine enthusiasm to encourage others to live their lives to the full. 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?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the culture and success of our newest 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 assistance programme offering coaching and counselling support.
- Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
- Retail discounts 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.
- Evening, weekend, and bank holiday enhancements to pay.
- 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. 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.
Senior Care Assistant in Reading employer: Friends of the Elderly
At Friends of the Elderly, we pride ourselves on being more than just a care provider; we are a vibrant community dedicated to delivering personalised, compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our generous benefits package, including a group pension plan, extensive training opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of older people while enjoying a fulfilling career in a warm and welcoming environment in Calcot.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Care Assistant in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Friends of the Elderly. Understand their values and mission, especially their commitment to providing compassionate care. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions for a Senior Care Assistant role and rehearse your answers. Focus on your experience in care settings and how you've made a difference in residents' lives. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your soft skills! During the interview, highlight your communication and interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've built relationships with residents and colleagues. Remember, it's all about demonstrating your compassionate nature and positive attitude!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’d be a fantastic fit for Friends of the Elderly!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Care Assistant in Reading
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 your commitment to making a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Senior Care Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially any work with care plans and supporting residents' independence.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. This will help 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. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Friends of the Elderly!
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 Senior Care Assistant and the values of Friends of the Elderly. Familiarise yourself with their mission to provide compassionate care and how you can contribute to that. This will show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in care settings. Highlight specific examples where you've demonstrated great communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and compassion. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how they ensure the safety and dignity of residents. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Values
Friends of the Elderly values compassion and a positive attitude. During the interview, share stories that reflect these qualities. Talk about how you’ve made a difference in someone’s life or how you handle challenging situations with empathy and understanding.
