What Qualifications Do I Need To Be A Carer?
18 Aug 2020
To become a carer, you need to have a genuine interest in helping others and a kind, empathetic disposition. Many individuals have always dreamt of helping others, whereas some may get older before they realise their calling. Regardless, working as a carer is an incredibly rewarding experience. You are making a difference to someone’s life and developing valuable skills such as communication and organisation. If you are considering becoming a carer, you may be wondering what qualifications you need and where you can receive the appropriate training. In today’s blog, we will be exploring some resources which can help you become a carer.
Qualifications needed to be a carer
To work in care, you don’t need any specific GCSEs, A-Levels, or degrees. Even though you might not require any formal qualifications to be a carer, it is usually advised to have qualifications or certifications before looking for a carer position. Volunteering is also a fantastic way to get some hands-on experience in care work in a care home setting.
Earning first aid certification and an NVQ in Health and Social Care (levels 2 and 3) will be of great benefit when looking for a carer role. These qualifications provide you with useful instruction on how to help those who are ill or have learning challenges. Care services often include a 12-week induction scheme to ensure you meet a standard of training which include safeguarding, equality, and health and safety.
Where to get qualifications to be a carer
Here are some handy avenues you can take to get the qualifications you might need to become a carer.
E-Learning
E-learning is a convenient way of receiving the qualifications you need. It eliminates the need for travel and can be flexible to suit your schedule. Online Care Courses provide online learning from compulsory training to specialist CQC courses. The Care Certificate is the basic minimum qualification for care workers and includes the 15 standards you will need to know including Duty of Care and Equality and Diversity. They also offer specialist courses such as Working with Disabilities and Care Home Management which gives you insight into more specialist areas.
Face-to-Face Learning
Consult Care offers online induction courses, virtual dementia training, carer update courses and emergency first aid courses among a range of other vital learning resources which can help you with specific care jobs. Many of these courses are face-to-face so, if this way of learning is more suited to you, Consult Care could help you reach the next step in your career. These courses can help you develop the skills and understanding to make a real difference to people’s lives and embark on a rewarding journey.
Social Care TV offers a variety of online training for a range of different topics and issues which can be valuable in your job role. Courses begin from just £1.49 and range from Dying, Death and Bereavement to Infection Control. The courses offer practical and useful knowledge in a way which is engaging and easy to understand. Developing your Social Care skills as a carer can be very beneficial both personally and for your client.
Carers Insurance
Once qualified, it’s important to give yourself peace of mind by covering yourself with Carers Insurance. Although not a legal requirement, Carers Insurance is an excellent option to support you throughout your chosen career. At Blue Badge Mobility Insurance, we offer comprehensive insurance which includes public liability cover between £1 million to £5 million for injury or damage to property, legal expenses in the event of a liability claim, errors or omissions whilst providing care, including administering medication, up to 90 days cover for care provision whilst on holiday, accidental injury to any person in your care and no fees for policy changes. We offer a variety of carer policies to cover your requirements and help support you through your journey as a carer, so that you can excel in your career. Contact our team today for further information.
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