Job Roles in the Home Care Sector: A Complete Guide
The Diversity of Home Care Careers
The home care sector offers far more variety than many people realise. Whether you're just starting out or looking to progress into management, there's a role to match your skills and ambitions.
Let's explore the key positions available and what each one involves.
Entry-Level Positions
Care Assistant / Support Worker
The role: Providing hands-on care to clients in their homes. This includes personal care, meal preparation, medication prompting, companionship, and light household tasks.
Requirements:
- No formal qualifications needed (training provided)
- DBS check
- Right to work in UK
- Compassionate nature
Salary range: £20,000 - £24,000
Career path: This is where most care careers begin. With experience and qualifications, you can progress to senior roles.
Live-In Carer
The role: Living with a client full-time, providing 24-hour support. You'll have your own room and designated breaks, but be on hand to provide care throughout the day and night.
Requirements:
- Previous care experience preferred
- Flexibility to live away from home
- Independence and good judgement
- Enhanced DBS check
Salary range: £600 - £1,000+ per week (with accommodation provided)
Career path: Specialise in complex care needs, or move into care management.
Intermediate Roles
Senior Care Worker
The role: Leading a team of care workers, supporting with complex care needs, mentoring newer staff, and ensuring high-quality care delivery.
Requirements:
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care
- 2+ years care experience
- Leadership skills
- Strong communication abilities
Salary range: £24,000 - £28,000
Career path: Progress to Team Leader, then Care Coordinator or Deputy Manager.
Care Coordinator
The role: Matching carers with clients, creating care schedules, handling client enquiries, and ensuring smooth service delivery.
Requirements:
- Experience in care or coordination
- Strong organisational skills
- Computer literacy
- Problem-solving abilities
Salary range: £25,000 - £32,000
Career path: Operations Manager, Branch Manager, or Registered Manager.
Specialist Roles
Dementia Care Specialist
The role: Providing specialist care to clients with dementia, using person-centred approaches and specialised techniques to maintain quality of life.
Requirements:
- Level 2/3 in Dementia Care
- Understanding of dementia progression
- Patience and creativity
- Specialist training in communication
Salary range: £24,000 - £30,000
Palliative Care Worker
The role: Supporting clients and families during end-of-life care, focusing on comfort, dignity, and emotional support.
Requirements:
- Experience in care settings
- Emotional resilience
- End-of-life care training
- Compassion and sensitivity
Salary range: £24,000 - £32,000
Reablement Support Worker
The role: Helping clients regain independence after illness, injury, or hospital discharge. Focus is on rehabilitation rather than ongoing care.
Requirements:
- Understanding of rehabilitation principles
- Motivational skills
- Goal-focused approach
- Therapy support training helpful
Salary range: £23,000 - £28,000
Management and Leadership
Registered Manager
The role: Managing the entire care service, ensuring CQC compliance, leading staff teams, overseeing quality, and liaising with healthcare professionals.
Requirements:
- NVQ Level 5 in Leadership & Management
- Registered with CQC
- Extensive care management experience
- Business acumen
Salary range: £35,000 - £55,000+
Career path: Area Manager, Operations Director, or starting your own care company.
Training and Quality Assurance
The role: Developing and delivering training programmes, auditing care quality, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Requirements:
- Assessor qualifications (A1/CAVA)
- In-depth care knowledge
- Presentation skills
- Attention to detail
Salary range: £28,000 - £38,000
Allied Roles
While not strictly "care" roles, these positions support the sector:
- Recruitment Coordinator – Finding and hiring care staff
- HR Business Partner – Managing employee relations
- Marketing Executive – Promoting care services
- Compliance Officer – Ensuring regulatory adherence
- IT Specialist – Managing care technology systems
Choosing Your Path
Ask yourself:
- Do I prefer hands-on care or behind-the-scenes coordination?
- Am I motivated by career progression and income, or work-life balance?
- Do I have specialist interests (dementia, learning disabilities, children)?
- Am I willing to pursue additional qualifications?
Whatever your answers, the care sector has a place for you.
Ready to find your role? Browse care jobs on Hello Carer and filter by job type, location, and experience level.