What is needed to legally work as a care worker in the UK?

Question

Is experience enough or do I need to register {like a nurse} to practice? It would be in Scotland.

Additional Details

Just to add that I am not enquiring about qualifications needed but want to know if I need to be registered. I am a nurse already but trained in Ireland and not practiced for a few years and registering as a nurse is out of the question for me so thought I could work as a carer instead. I am an adult and childrens nurse and I think I have enough experience. It is more the red tape and paperwork I was wondering about. Thanks for all your answers so far. Keep them coming please.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

You would need a CRB police check which is mandatory for all types of care.
If you then get accepted different levels of training will be required.

If working in residential care for the elderly, you then will be trained in and get certificates for...
P.O.V.A ( Protection of Vulnerable Adults )
Moving and Handling ( mandatory )
Fire safety
Food Hygene
Plus lots of others........

If the home specializes in residents who have dementia you will have to do a NVQ Level 2 Dementia Awareness.

You will first get your NVQ 1 which is fairly basic.
Then you go on to NVQ level 2 which is a lot more involved.
After NVQ level 3 and a course in the Handling and Dispensing of Controlled drugs you may then go up to the position of Senior Care.
Higher than that and you would need a nursing qualification.
Ex SRN or SGN or higher

Source(s):

Wife is Senior Care at a Residential Home

Answer 2

In most circumstances, the only requirement is a high school diploma. Child care experience, which can be as basic as babysitting as a teenager, is helpful when looking for a job. For a family child care provider, who is probably running his or her own business, nothing is required except for a license to operate as a day care center. Some employers may want to hire people who have completed. (Some form of vocational school (some school districts offer child care courses at a vocational high school.) Others may require a certification from the Child Development Association or the National Child Care Association (this certification is called a Certified Childcare Professional). When seeking employment with some day care centers, private firms, or publicly funded programs, you may be required to have some postsecondary education. This may include just a few college courses, a two-year degree or certification, or a bachelor's degree. Some supervisory, administrative, or advocacy roles may require a master's degree.

Answer 3

Just the willingness to work 12 hour shifts for low pay

Answer 4

It really depends on the type of care work and position you will be holding. Sometimes you do have to register with the Scottish Social Care Council. It is a fairly recent thing, it looks like in the near future all care workers will need to be registered with them.

They have lists of qualifications that are currently necessary for registration, depending on each position and who you work with.
http://www.sssc.uk.com/All+about+Registr…
http://www.sssc.uk.com/All+about+Registr…

Examples of minimum qualifications needed for registration for a support workers in residential care would be a S/NVQ level 2 in Social Care, but in day services they dont need to register, only managers do. It seems like if are working towards a qualification you will also be considered for registration.

If you have experience, and that would definitely help you get a job, but employers are increasingly looking for qualifications even if there is no legal obligation yet.

Apply for jobs and see how you get on.

Best of luck

Source(s):

UPDATE-

Get in touch with the social services council, it depends on who you work with. That is the answer, no one will be able to tell you any more than that!

Why don't you practice as a nurse? Do they not recognise your qualification? There must be a way around that. look here- its about working holidays, but I think it shows that you can register with the NHS. http://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/Overs…

If you have trouble finding work, you should get your name on the list of the Nurse Bank. They provide nurses and health care workers for relief work, and the pay is not bad. A friend of mine used to work for them in Glasgow when she was a student nurse.