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Meet Harry, 25, from Kent. Find out about his job as a Level 2 adult care worker apprentice at East Kent Mencap. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.

What made you choose this apprenticeship?

When I joined the job as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities, they said I would need to work towards a Level 2 apprenticeship after my six-month induction.

I focused my courses on disabilities – autism mainly. I learn about GDPR, different types of abuse, how to safeguard adults and those with learning disabilities, and how to take care of them. It relates to my day job at a day resource centre for adults with learning disabilities – it's about learning how to better support them, about the ins and outs of paperwork and these adult care companies. It ties in with adult care for the elderly as well.

What do you enjoy about your apprenticeship?

Taking care of people mainly: supporting people, looking after people, doing what’s best for people – it’s person-centred care. I love where I work, everyone there is great, and I get lots of help from my bosses.

Doing an apprenticeship is quite relaxed. You focus a lot more on work than studying – your hours will build up in what you’ve done at work. My tutor gave me the option to submit all of my modules and bits of work as a verbal submission (instead of writing stuff out). We’d do a video conference call, she’d ask me questions, I’d answer, and she’d upload it to the website that has submissions for the modules. I was given the option because I am autistic and I’ve also got dyslexia, so writing can be quite hard for me – especially to get my thoughts down on paper. It’s better for me to info dump from my mouth than it is for me to info dump out of my hand!

It’s a very good sector – even in years to come there will always be people needing care workers.

What skills do you use?

A day resource centre is where adults with learning disabilities who need support in their day-to-day lives come in to do stuff during the day. Sessions are run – it can be anything from music to arts, cooking, and helping and supporting them in how to better support themselves with these things.

What was your educational career path?

I did a Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC in Music Performance. At school I loved Maths and Science. I hated English! At college I still had to do my English GCSE as I never actually got a C in it.

When I went to uni (I have a degree in Commercial Music), they overlooked it and said it didn’t really affect my ability to do this subject, so I didn’t need to get my GCSE in English. (I did also look into a PGCE where you do need to have a C or equivalent.)

What are the benefits of working in this industry?

Adult care is an easy thing to get into. From a young age you can apply to go into adult care or child care – any form of care – and you will have to work towards either a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship. They will pay for it all and they’ll register you. It’s a very good sector – even in years to come there will always be people needing care workers.

What to expect if you want to be a care worker

Other similar job roles are: care assistant, support worker and nursing home assistant.

• Care worker average salary: £13,500 to £25,000 per year
• Care worker typical hours: 35 to 40 hours per week. You could work evenings or weekends on shifts.

What qualifications do you need to be a care worker?

You could get into this role via a college course, a T-level (England only), an apprenticeship, volunteering or applying directly.

This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed. (sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service)

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