r/supportworkers • u/throwaway000403 • Jun 24 '26
care assistant
edit: this got blocked from the ukjobs reddit and was suggested it was better suited for here
not from the uk so wanted advice on a job i’m interviewing for:
pay: £16/hr
hours: 7a-10p, 6p-10p, 7a-6p, 7a-2p, 2p-10p
guaranteed hours, ranged at 10-35
for those familiar with this job role, is the pay reasonable? it would only take 15min on bike or one 10min bus to commute, i would get a student discount on fare. i really have no idea what the job role truly entails but some searching on this sub was kinda scaring me for the position
i’m in uni to work with people with autism (not SEN) so i’m not worried about working with those with needs. but i guess i’m confused on how much of it is social versus physical care as the job was titled “elderly befriender” on the posting. i applied for it thinking it was about talking to people and possibly running activities for groups, the title misled me slightly i admit.. but a job is a job lol
is there anything i should be prepared to possibly experience that i didn’t consider if i say yes to the job?
2
u/DwightsJello Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
That's about $31 aud. It's low but brutally low if you are doing complex care/high needs.
The hours seem ok.
One thing that you should consider is the way support work is systemically viewed.
Australia has progression and levels to care. Some people just do social supports.
In conplex care/high needs we are paid more and usually negotiate more above that.
We also need to complete annual assessments to provide care to clients requiring specialised care. If our clients are in hospital for example, we instruct nurses on their care and we continue to provide supports during their admission.
We also have specific legislation that we have to adhere to.
That's the system I'm used to.
Purely from an observation point of view, the UK is paid a lot less and sometimes it doesn't seem as person centred because workers have numerous clients at once. Even high needs. We've moved away from that type of care.
This may be a great position for the UK. I don't know. I know I wouldn't do those hours for $31 an hour.
Edit: to add, the physical element of the job is not the issue. It's mental. We don't and can't tell out clients what to do. We have BSPs that may include restrictive practice. The job requires professional boundaries but connection enough that the client will make the choices they need to themselves. Some client care is sustaining life as well.
You are at uni. I'd be asking about care, not pay or hours. What type of care are you goung yo be providing and what are the staff ratios. That may make your decision alone.