A new local care service in London from leading home care provider, The Good Care Group
What qualifications should my home carer have?
In the UK, there are no formal qualification requirements for a home carer. This means that a carer doesn’t need any specific GCSEs, A Levels, or a degree to become a carer.
However, if you are looking for a home carer for you or your loved one, there are some qualifications you may want to look out for, including:
- A Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care
- A Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
In addition, it can be advantageous for a home carer to have:
- A first aid certificate
- Food hygiene training
- Training in the safe handling of medications
Although not necessary, these qualifications can show a commitment to wanting to gain additional knowledge and develop their skills as a carer.
What training should my home carer have?
Like qualifications, there are no specific training requirements before deciding to be a carer, but previous experience caring for a loved one or through work experience can be advantageous.
However, when someone starts working as a home carer for the first time in the UK, they must embark on a 12-week induction scheme. This ensures that carers can meet all the minimum standards of care in the UK and complete training in key areas, including:
- Safeguarding
- Equality
- Inclusion
- Health and Safety
It’s also important that anyone who will provide home care has a full background check, including a criminal record and medical check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
You will also need to make sure a home carer has a full valid UK driving licence if you need them to perform transport services, whether that’s taking you out and about or running errands on your behalf.
What training and qualifications should complex carers have?
to ensure they have the competency to perform certain medical interventions safely and effectively.
For example, home carers providing stoma care may undergo specific stoma care training with a registered nurse or training provider to ensure they can identify potential problems and resolve any common issues.
Additional training or qualifications can also help ensure that home carers learn vital skills that can help them provide more comprehensive care in a safe and dignified manner.
Depending on your specific care needs, you may want to look for a carer who has additional training or qualifications in:
- Catheter care
- Mobility care
- Dementia awareness
- Diabetes medication training
- End-of-life care
- Alzheimer’s care
- Mental health training
- Nutrition and hydration awareness
- Pressure sore prevention
- Stroke awareness
- Continence
What other qualities are important to look for in a home carer?
Although having training and qualifications to prove they have the necessary skills and expertise is important, at Cherished Home Care, we believe the most important qualities to look for in carers are empathy and compassion. That’s because many of the skills can be taught but having a caring and compassionate nature is essential as we want to know that our carers truly care and put the needs of those they are caring for first.
In addition, we look for people who hold themselves to the same high standards we do, and who are willing to take on any necessary training to ensure the best care is always provided.
Why choose Cherished Home Care?
At Cherished Home Care, all our home carers undergo a comprehensive induction with us before they start providing home care, regardless of their previous experience. Run by industry experts and condition specialists, our induction programme goes above and beyond the standard required induction to ensure all of our home carers have the skills, techniques and knowledge to support clients to the highest standards.
In addition, we have the expertise, knowledge and experience of ‘Outstanding’ care provider, The Good Care Group, who work closely with our team to provide high-quality care, support and carer training.
Find a home carer local to you
If you are looking for a home carer local to you or your loved one, get in touch with Cherished Home Care. We offer local, bespoke care in your home and are committed to enabling you or your loved one to live well at home.