Domiciliary Care Worker
Provide personal care and practical support to older adults and disabled people in their own homes, helping them live independently.
Moderate
Very high
0–3 months — most providers hire with no qualifications and train on the job
Level 2 (Care Certificate is standard; Level 3 Diploma for senior roles)
possible
What you do
Domiciliary (home) care workers visit clients in their homes on a regular schedule — sometimes twice a day, sometimes weekly — to provide personal care (washing, dressing, medication support), domestic tasks (shopping, light cleaning, cooking), and companionship. You manage a caseload of clients across a geographic patch, often working independently and using your judgment when situations change. You liaise with family members, district nurses, and social workers.
Why this career is resilient
Home care is one of the fastest-growing parts of the UK care sector, driven by an ageing population and government policy to support people to stay at home longer rather than entering residential care. Personal care and social connection are fundamentally human and cannot be automated. Demand consistently outstrips supply, and most local authority areas report significant shortages.
A typical day
A typical day starts with a morning call sheet, then a series of home visits — helping a client get up and dressed, preparing breakfast, administering medication, spending time with someone who lives alone. There are gaps between calls for travel and brief administration.
Routes in
Employer-funded training
Some employers — particularly the NHS, emergency services, and larger care providers — run their own funded training programmes. You apply for a job and train as you work.
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Starting at approximately £11.50–£13/hour. Senior and specialist care workers earn more; registered managers earn £28,000–£40,000+.
Training costs: Usually no upfront cost — most providers fund Care Certificate training. A DBS check (around £40) is typically required. Driving licence is usually essential.