Care assistant Review

I work nights as a care assistant in a nursing home, looking after residential, dementia and nursing residents. I assist them with personal care, meals and make sure there day to day needs are met. I complete paperwork during every shift and make sure all residents are well cared for.

Yes I have learnt new skills and learnt new ways of carrying out different tasks within the care home. I am always developing my existing skills just by carrying out my day to day activities whilst on the job working along side my colleagues. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn and expand on my current skills.

I am enjoying the programme that i am currently studying. Being able to have support from a tutor really helps me. As well as being able to build up on my knowledge. The course is fairly simple to do and works well around my job. I would definitely recommend this course to other colleagues that are looking to gain their level 2.

I'll be honest the 1st few months weren't great. My 1st tutor could not properly commit, so the 1st 8 months I had to wing it and do the best I could without much support. However since January when my new tutor took over, it's been a breeze especially as I know I can contact her at any point and she with get back to me fairly quick.

How much support do I receive from my employer- the short answer is not much! However my colleagues and the nurses that are on during my shift are a great help and always support me. They encourage me and offer advice. I can't thank them enough for all they have done for me.

My training provider is on hand when I need to speak to them, they have also made it clear that I can contact them with any problem I have and if I need any support or help then tonlet them know so that they can support me with the course I am studying.

I feel that my qualification that I am working towards helps me to perform better in my role at work as it allows me to get better at my job and improve of skills I have as well as learning new skills that I get to perform. My qualification allows me go do the best I can for the individuals I care for. Allowing me to give them the best care I can.

As I work nights there isn't any extra-curricular activities I can take part in. I do however think some team bonding activities would help the night staff get on better so that we all work together as part of a team. This is definitely an area that needs work on.

Yes

I would recommend it as a starting point, long term though, I'd probably look else were. As the pay isn't great and lack of support from management is not that good. The administration staff are great though and also go above and beyond. I think the company is missing a spark.

Tips and advice I could give to other people applying to Barchester would be to just crack on with the job you are there to do. The residents are fantastic. All you need is a positive can do attitude and just give it your all the rewards you get back from seeing the residents happy and content makes it all worthwhile.