Requirements

Senior care worker - requirements

As a senior care worker, you’ll supervise teams of care assistants to provide physical and emotional support to clients in their homes or residential centres. Learn more about a career in care work, find out what it involves and what you’ll need to study and do to get a role.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a senior care worker?

A degree in a care related subject will prove useful. Subjects to consider include:

Some care worker roles prioritise practical ability over educational qualifications but career progress without formal training can be challenging, which is why most senior care workers have some form of relevant higher qualification.

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Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a senior care worker?

Employers will not ask for a postgraduate qualification, but it may help develop your skills if you have an area of interest, as well as increase your career opportunities.

Examples of taught and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

Professional development and practice
Nursing practice
Advanced clinical practice
Social work
Dementia studies
Health studies
Mental health, wellbeing and resilience

What skills do you need to be a senior care worker?

As a senior care worker, you’ll use your compassionate nature and care skills to support your team and ensure clients are safe and their needs are being met.

Hard skills usually include:

Auditing
Care planning and coordination
Home care
Nursing
Personal care
Risk analysis
Service delivery
Social work

Soft skills include:

Communication
Compassion
Customer service
Enthusiasm
Management
Mentorship
Planning
Self-motivation

Do you need work experience to be a senior care worker?

It is likely that you’ll need some work experience as a care support worker before you can move into a senior care worker role. You may be able to get this experience through placements as part of your degree course, or through postgraduate employment in different care environments. Employers will value evidence of leadership and decision making.