Meet Bethany, 21, from Buckinghamshire, to find out more about life as a carer. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
From a young age I knew I wanted to be a carer – making people happy makes me happy.
- At school, Bethany found she was more of a practical learner than an academic learner
- She chose to study Health and Social Care because it was a hands-on course and she wanted to learn about care work
- She achieved three distinctions - the highest grade you can get for this course
- When Bethany was 15, she got a job as a cleaner in a nursing home. Her supervisor saw potential in her and took her on as an apprentice
- Today, Bethany works to support adults in their own homes and loves the variety of her job.
What to expect if you want to be a care worker
- Care worker average salary: £13,500 to £25,000 per year
- Care worker typical working hours: 35 to 40 hours per week
What qualifications do you need to be a care worker?
You could get into this role via a college course such as a Level 1 Certificate in Health and Social Care, a Level 2 Diploma in Care or a T-level in Health (England-only). Other routes include an advanced apprenticeship, volunteering or applying directly if you have relevant experience.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service, GOV.UK
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed and the GOV.UK website for more on T-levels
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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