Adult Care Apprentice - Dementia Day Centre

Age UK; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charitable organization is seeking an enthusiastic candidate for an apprenticeship at the Dementia Day Centre. Responsibilities include assisting clients with dementia, planning activities, and maintaining a supportive environment. The role offers an apprenticeship salary starting at £13,741 with potential for full-time employment after one year. Training in Adult Care Worker (level 2) is included.

Qualifications

• Understanding of dementia and cognitive impairments.
• Ability to support individuals with personal care needs.
• Proven compassion and empathy for older adults.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with dementia during transport.
• Plan and deliver engaging activities.
• Maintain accurate records and reports.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Team working

Creative

Initiative

Non-judgemental

Patience

Empathetic nature

Caring nature

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4/C)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4/C)

Job description

Overview

Age UK is seeking a positive, enthusiastic candidate to support the team at the Dementia Day Centre. The role involves creating a fun, welcoming, and supportive space where individuals can socialise. Duties include passenger assistance, activity planning, and preparing refreshments and lunch. A can-do attitude is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assisting clients with a diagnosis of dementia to and from the bus, helping them out of their chair, etc.
• Planning and delivering activities or entertainment for the dementia day centre with the wider team.
• Data base entry & basic computer skills.
• Passenger assistant - riding on the bus when collecting or dropping off clients to assist them on and off the bus where necessary.
• Spending time with the clients, having a laugh and helping facilitate an overall happy atmosphere.
• Joining in with activities, singing, dancing etc. Support individuals they are working with according to their personal care/support plan.
• Ask for help from an appropriate person when not confident or skilled in any aspect of their role.
• Provide individuals with information to enable them to have a choice about the way they are supported.
• Encourage individuals to participate in the way their care and support is delivered.
• Ensure the individual knows what they are agreeing to regarding the way in which they are supported.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of care/support plans for the individual they support.
• Support individuals with cognitive, physical or sensory impairments.
• Ensure dignity is at the centre of all work with the individuals they support, their families, carers and advocates.
• Demonstrate all work is person centred, accommodating the individual\'s needs, wishes and preferences.
• Demonstrate empathy for individuals they support.
• Demonstrate courage in supporting people in ways that may challenge their personal/cultural beliefs.
• Speak clearly and exhibit positive non-verbal communication to individuals, families, carers and advocates.
• Use the preferred methods of communication of the individual they support according to their language, culture, sensory needs and their wishes.
• Identify and take steps to reduce environmental barriers to communication.
• Demonstrate they can check for understanding.
• Write clearly and concisely in records and reports.
• Keep information safe and confidential according to agreed ways of working.
• Recognise potential signs of different forms of abuse and respond according to agreed ways of working.
• Recognise, report and challenge unsafe practices.
• Promote the health and wellbeing of the individual they support.
• Move people and objects safely.
• Demonstrate how to reduce the spread of infection and best practice in hand hygiene.
• Demonstrate the promotion of healthy eating and wellbeing by ensuring individuals have access to fluids, food and nutrition.
• Demonstrate how to keep people, buildings and themselves safe and secure.
• Carry out fire safety procedures when required.
• Use risk assessments to support individuals safely.
• Recognise symptoms of cognitive impairment, e.g., dementia, learning disabilities and mental health.
• Monitor and report changes in health and wellbeing for individuals they support.
• Reflect on your own work practices.
• Demonstrate the development of their own skills and knowledge, including core skills in writing, numbers and information technology.
• Demonstrate their contribution to their development plan.
• Demonstrate ability to work in partnership with others to support the individual.
• Identify sources of support when conflicts arise with other people or organisations.
• Demonstrate they can work within safe, clear professional boundaries.
• Show they can access and apply additional skills required to perform the specific job role competently.
• GCSE in English (grade 4/C) and Maths (grade 4/C); share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non-judgemental
• Patience
• Empathetic nature
• Caring nature

Requirements and terms

• Enthusiastic, for the right candidate there may be an opportunity for full-time employment upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.
• Age UK Gateshead is a leading charitable organisation dedicated to improving the lives of older people in the Gateshead community.
• £13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.
• National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices: Apprentice minimum wage £7.55 per hour. Training course Adult care worker (level 2).
• Hours 35 hours per week, Start time 8:30 am Finish time 5:00 pm. Working days TBC. Start date Monday 10 November 2025. Duration 1 year.