What Does a Care Worker / Support Worker Actually Do?
Care workers support elderly, disabled, or vulnerable people with daily living — personal care, medication administration, mobility support, meal preparation, and companionship. You'll work in residential care homes, supported living settings, or visiting multiple clients in their own homes throughout the day. Reporting lines vary: in a care home you'll have a senior carer or registered manager above you; in domiciliary care you often work quite independently. The emotional demands are real — forming genuine relationships with clients and managing the grief when they decline or pass away is part of the job.
Sharon Williams
Care Worker
📍 Cardiff, UK✉️ sharon.williams@email.com
Summary
Compassionate and DBS-checked Care Worker with 6 years of experience providing person-centred support to elderly and vulnerable adults. NVQ Level 3 qualified in Health & Social Care. Skilled in medication administration, personal care, and dementia support.
Work Experience
Senior Care Assistant at Sunrise Senior LivingAug 2021 — Present
Provide personal care, medication administration, and emotional support to 12 residents per shift
Lead dementia care programme achieving 'Outstanding' CQC rating for responsive care
Domiciliary Care Worker at Home Instead Senior CareSep 2018 — Aug 2021
Delivered home care visits to 8–10 service users daily including personal care and meal preparation
Supported end-of-life care for 3 clients, working closely with district nurses and families
Care Worker CVs must show your NVQ level, DBS status, and the type of care you provide. Recruiters want to see your caseload, specialist skills like dementia care or end-of-life support, and any CQC inspection results you contributed to.
Key Skills to Include
Person-centred care, medication administration, dementia care, moving and handling, care planning, safeguarding, first aid, and electronic care planning systems.
Common Mistakes
Not specifying your specialist areas. Residential, domiciliary, and supported living require different skills. Also state your DBS status and vehicle access prominently.
Formatting Tips
One page. Lead with your NVQ level and DBS status. Include the CQC rating of services you have worked in. Highlight any specialist care training.
Average Salary — Care Worker / Support Worker
United States
$26,000 – $38,000
United Kingdom
$20,000 – $28,000
Germany
$26,000 – $36,000
UAE / Dubai
$16,000 – $26,000
Canada
$28,000 – $40,000
Australia
$38,000 – $52,000
Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.
Top 5 Interview Questions — Care Worker / Support Worker
1Tell me about a time you had to deal with a distressed or aggressive client. How did you handle it?
Describe your de-escalation approach specifically — tone of voice, giving space, removing triggers. Show empathy but also that you know when to involve a colleague or senior.
2How do you maintain a person's dignity while helping with intimate personal care?
Talk about explaining what you're doing before you do it, maintaining privacy, using the person's preferred name, and following their lead on preferences. This question tests values, not just technique.
3What would you do if you suspected a client was being abused?
Be clear and direct: you would report it immediately to your manager and understand your duty under safeguarding legislation. Don't suggest you'd investigate yourself or wait to be sure — employers need to know you'll act.
4How do you manage your own wellbeing when the work gets emotionally heavy?
Be honest about the challenge and describe real strategies — supervision sessions, talking to colleagues, leaving work at work mentally. Employers are increasingly aware of burnout and want candidates who are self-aware.
5Describe how you would support a client with dementia who refuses to take their medication.
Show knowledge of person-centred approaches — trying at a different time, disguising in food if prescribed that way, involving family or the GP. Never mention forcing or tricking in ways that undermine trust.
How to Tailor Your CV
Large care providers like Bupa, HC-One, and Anchor Hanover want to see your Care Certificate, any NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care, and an up-to-date DBS certificate right at the top of your CV. Local authority domiciliary services need a full UK driving licence and your own vehicle listed if the role involves home visits. Specialist learning disability or mental health providers (Mencap, Mind) want evidence of specific training like Makaton, PROACT-SCIPr, or PBS approaches. Always include the specific client groups you've supported — dementia, acquired brain injury, learning disabilities — as recruiters use these terms to screen applications.