Training and Support

From the day you join the Oxford Aunts team you will be offered everything you need to be able to perform your role to the high standards of care we are known for. We want you to excel in your role and we know this can only be achieved if you are equipped with the skills, knowledge and support required to be an exceptional live-in carer.

Training, supervision, coaching, mentoring and in-placement support are all provided to our carers so they can reach their true potential, with opportunities for professional development and advice on career progression with options to move into more permanent roles, if that is your goal. Whatever your ambition our team will give you all the support you need to achieve it.

How to train to become a carer

If you have a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those in need through care work, there are several ways that you can train to become a carer.

The skills and training required to become a carer are diverse. Each care agency and healthcare organisation will have their own requirements and skills they look for throughout their recruitment process. If you do not have hands on experience caring for older people, you can obtain the necessary experience in other ways, including:

  • Volunteering with older people
  • Applying to jobs that include on-the-job training
  • College courses
  • Health & Social Care qualifications
  • Apprenticeships

We are very proud of the high standards of care we provide our clients and require all our carers to have hands on care experience gained in a formal setting. We look at experience across a range of care settings, including residential care or nursing homes, home care agencies or rest homes. If you are a fully trained nurse, you will have the experience we require to be an Oxford Aunts carer. We will also consider experience gained volunteering with charities involved in supporting disabled or older people.

Comprehensive induction training

No matter what your level of experience or professional background, all carers who join Oxford Aunts are required to complete our one-week induction training programme.

The programme not only covers modules relating to the role of caring, but provides an opportunity for carers to understand more about Oxford Aunts, how we work and what we expect, as well allowing new joiners to get to know each other and share experiences.

Our market-leading training programme includes:

  • Duty of care
  • Person-centred care
  • Communication
  • Handling information
  • Safeguarding adults, mental capacity act
  • Infection prevention, including Covid-19
  • Health and Safety
  • Medications management
  • Equality and diversity
  • Manual handling
  • The ageing process
  • Palliative / end-of-life care
  • Fluids and nutrition
  • Mental health and learning disabilities awareness
  • First aid and CPR
  • Privacy and dignity
  • Specialist care of conditions, including dementia and Parkinson’s

On-going training

It does not stop at our induction live-in carer training. Oxford Aunts provides an annual training programme for all its carers to develop new skills and to ensure they have all up to date information based on best practice care, so we can continue to provide a high quality reputable service.

  • Manual handling, medication, recognising abuse and infection control updates
  • Equality and diversity
  • Aids to independent living
  • Dementia management
  • Management of challenging behaviour
  • Aids to independent living
  • Palliative care and end of life care
  • Parkinson’s disease and management
  • Nutrition for older people
  • Mental health in older people
  • Diabetes

Qualifications to become a trainer

Formal qualifications are not necessary to become a carer but they do reflect a practical level of skill and knowledge. There are numerous Health and Social Care qualifications available, so it is important that you do your research to determine which would be most relevant to your desired career path.

At Oxford Aunts we look for a compassionate and caring nature along with previous care experience, rather than formal qualifications. We still encourage and support all members of our team wishing to obtain further training or qualifications.

Level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications

These qualifications provide an introductory background into care work. A Level 1 qualification teaches basic carer skills while the Level 2 and 3 qualifications build on prior knowledge and apply it to specific, specialised contexts.

Level 2 and 3 Diplomas

Level 2 and 3 diplomas in Health and Social Care (or the equivalent NVQs if the carer trained before 2010) build on the knowledge acquired in the Level 1 qualification. These diplomas are usually undertaken by someone already working as a carer that wishes to obtain formal recognition of their skills and knowledge. In fact, some Level 2 and 3 diplomas require that you have on-the-job experience as a carer to enrol.

Unrivalled local support

We know through our experience of providing care services for over 50 years, that live-in care can be a demanding and, at times challenging role.

We are here to support our carers every step of the way – there is always someone on the end of the phone. You will be supported by a Care Assessor who is local to your placement and will ensure you have everything you need to deliver the high standards of care our clients should expect. The Care Assessor works closely with a dedicated Care Manager who will also provide support to you in your placement from our office in Oxford. We also offer 24/7 emergency support so you will never feel you are on your own.

TALK TO US ABOUT TRAINING AND SUPPORT

If you have a compassionate and caring nature with previous care experience, we would like to hear from you. Apply online to join our exceptional team and really make a difference to someone’s life, whilst enjoying a rewarding and fulfilling career. Visit our Jobs FAQs to find out more about our live-in carer training or contact us.

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Review score average of 4.6 based on 25 Trustpilot reviews as of January 2024

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