Carer training and assessment process
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Our live in carer assessment and selection process
We have a rigorous assessment and selection process for every single live-in carer.
Quality home care is not something that can be taught in a normal classroom. Whether it’s administering medication or safely using hoists to move a customer in or out of bed, our assessment and selection process takes you through how to keep your customer safe, happy and fully supported.
We work with every new private carer who joins our team to fully prepare them for life as a live-in carer. Alongside covering a wide range of topics essential to your role, we will also give you a real feel for providing high-quality care the Helping Hands way.
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What’s involved in our live in carer assessment?
We’ll provide you with all the knowledge and skills you need to excel in your role.
Our live-in carer assessment and selection process covers a mixture of classroom sessions and practical activities, meaning you’ll develop the skills and knowledge to be happy and confident in your new role as a carer. The process will cover all key parts of the Care Certificate, recognised by the Care Quality Commission.
Once you’ve successfully completed the assessment and selection process, you’ll be ready for your first customer placement, but your development doesn’t stop there. You’ll be assigned a locally based manager who will support you in your role and offer skills refresher courses when available.
You’ll learn about:
Customer service
You’ll learn about our person-centred approach to care, and how to ensure every customer receives the support they deserve
The role of a carer
This includes what your duties and responsibilities are as a carer, and how to deliver them
Our values and beliefs
Our family values and compassionate beliefs steer everything that we do, and are at the core of every carer’s day-to-day work
Personal care
You’ll receive training in providing sensitive personal care that will truly make a difference to your customers’ lives
Manual handling
We’ll provide you with training in safe manual handling, including lifting, using hoists and mobility support
Safeguarding
You’ll learn how to recognise signs of abuse and how to safeguard yourself and others against possible risks
Dementia care
Our expert-led dementia care training will equip you to provide specialist dementia care to people with varying needs
Health and safety
Our programme includes dedicated health and safety training, where you’ll acquire important skills and knowledge
First aid
All of our carers are first aid trained, so that they can assist customers with light medical support should it be needed
Carer training that is industry endorsed
We believe that care can only ever be as good as the carers providing it.
We invest an unrivalled amount of time, energy and resources into an assessment and selection process that gives you the tools you need to be an outstanding carer.
Our process is designed to give everyone the development they need. You’ll be treated with warmth, courtesy and respect, making you feel safe and cared for – the same way we expect our carers to be with our customers.
We’re always on the lookout for more caring, compassionate people to join our team. Get in touch today to be one of them.
Niche and specialty carer training
If your customer has specific care needs then you will receive further instruction and training on how to care for them once you are in your customer’s home. We have a team of nurse specialists who work for Helping Hands who are able to support you in a clinical placement where specialist knowledge is needed. We can also offer additional support if your carer is on a palliative pathway, is living with advanced dementia or has spinal injuries, for instance.
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Online learning portal
When you become a Helping Hands carer, you’ll get access to our extensive online training library.
This library contains modules which will benefit your work with your customers and also develop you professionally, and best of all, they’re available anytime. This means that if you want to know more about a specific condition or method of support you may have the information you need at your fingertips, any hour of the day or night.
Modules include both mandatory refreshers, which need to be completed within the timeframe specified, or optional modules that are for your general development and skills enhancement. Each module has been developed using our years of experience in caring for our customers and by partnering with specialist groups and individuals, such as Dementia UK. Training on specialist conditions such as dementia and stroke are just two examples from our extensive library of training modules.
Page reviewed by Carole Kerton-Church, Regional Clinical Lead, on June 6, 2023.
How we wrote this page
This page has been produced referencing key insights and data from external experts, trusted medical sources and our team of in-house specialists. We have worked hard to ensure that all information is as accurate as possible and reflects current consensus at the time of writing and reviewing.