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New to care

Never worked in care?
You can start here.

Most social care jobs don't need qualifications — employers train you. Tell us where you live and what suits you.

Try:

Jobs on our site that welcome beginners typically start at around £13.97/hr (median starting pay from 61 recent adverts).

What would you actually do?

Four common ways in. All of them welcome beginners.

What you need to start

Less than you might think. Here's the short list.

  • Usually no qualifications

    Most employers train you from scratch. Kindness, reliability and good communication matter most.

  • A DBS check

    An enhanced background check is needed for most care roles. Many employers pay for it — look for “DBS paid” on adverts.

  • The Care Certificate

    15 standards you work through during your induction, usually in your first 12 weeks. Your employer supports you.

  • A licence — sometimes

    Home care often needs a driver; care homes and supported living usually don't. Use the “No driving needed” filter.

  • The right to work in the UK

    Employers must check this before you start.

From search to your first shift

What usually happens, step by step.

  1. 1

    Search

    Tell our job assistant what you want, for example “part-time, no experience, near Leeds”.

  2. 2

    Apply

    Many care employers use a short application form — you may not need a CV.

  3. 3

    Interview

    Often values-based: why you want to care, how you'd treat people.

  4. 4

    Checks

    DBS, references and right to work — usually a few weeks.

  5. 5

    Induction

    Training, shadow shifts alongside experienced colleagues, then the Care Certificate.

Room to grow

Start without qualifications and gain them on the job. Here's where it can lead.

All career paths

Common questions

Do I need qualifications to work in care?

Usually not for entry-level roles like care assistant or support worker. Employers train new starters and support you to complete the Care Certificate, and many will fund further qualifications such as the Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care.

Who pays for my DBS check?

It depends on the employer. Many pay for it — adverts often say “free DBS” or “DBS paid”, which our search picks up.

Do I need to drive?

Only for some roles, mostly home care where you travel between visits. Care homes and supported living usually don't need a driver. Use the “No driving needed” filter to hide adverts that ask for a licence.

Can I work part-time or around studying or childcare?

Yes — care has lots of part-time, weekend and flexible roles. Add “part-time” to your search or use the Hours filter.

How old do I need to be?

Many employers recruit from 18. Requirements vary by employer and role, so check the advert.

Can I progress?

Yes. Common routes go from care assistant or support worker to senior, team leader and manager roles, or into nursing or social work through apprenticeships and degrees. See our career paths for typical steps and pay.

For pay rights, see the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates on GOV.UK.

Ready to find your first care job?

See jobs that welcome people with no experience. You can add your town, hours and more on the next page.

Find beginner jobsCareer paths