Care Assistant (Care homes)

Friends of the Elderly; Reading; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group Pension

Annual Leave

Wellbeing Support

Learning & Progression

Discount Schemes

Cycle to work

DBS checks

Uniforms provided

Job summary

Friends Place Calcot, Calcot (Reading) is recruiting a Care Assistant to join our team. You will support residents with personal care, companionship, meals, mobility and record-keeping in a state‑of‑the‑art care home environment.

We seek empathetic, flexible team players with at least 6 months care‑home experience and a commitment to high‑quality, person‑centred care. DBS checks are required; a supportive, charitable environment awaits.

Qualifications

• Must hold either The Care Certificate or a minimum of Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care.
• At least 6 months experience in a care home environment.
• Empathetic, respectful, self-motivated and flexible; a team player.

Responsibilities

• Personal care.
• Companionship.
• Meal preparation.
• Mobility.
• Keeping care records up to date.

Skills

Empathy

Team player

Flexibility

Education

Care Certificate

Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care

Job description

Location Calcot, Reading

Published

7 days ago

Closing

in 22 days

Permanent , Full Time vacancy.

The role

Contract Type: Full Time (42 hours per week)

Hours: Three consecutive days on with three consecutive days off, 6 weeks rolling rota

You must hold either The Care Certificate or a minimum of Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care.

Friends of the Elderly (FotE) is a not‑for‑profit charity dedicated to providing excellent care with a family feel, we have been supporting older people for over 120 years. The charity provides care home and day care services for older people, as well as grants for older people in financial difficulty.

About Friends Place, Calcot

Recently opened in July 2025, Friends Place, Calcot is more than just a care home - it is a vibrant, welcoming community designed to provide exceptional residential, dementia, and respite care.

Run by Friends of the Elderly, where we pride ourselves on delivering personalised, compassionate care in a state‑of‑the‑art facility.

Located in the heart of Calcot, Reading, our home features:

• A cinema for residents to enjoy movie nights and entertainment.
• A stylish salon offering professional pampering.
• A peaceful tea room for reflection or a chat with friends.
• A vibrant bar for socialising and relaxation.

The modern facilities are designed to create a warm and homely environment where residents feel safe, valued, and supported.

We are recruiting for a Care Assistant to join the team.

Joining us as a Care Assistant, you will help our residents with various tasks including:

• Personal care.
• Companionship.
• Meal preparation.
• Mobility.
• Keeping care records up to date.

We would like our Care Assistant to join us with at least 6 months experience in a care home environment. Empathetic and respectful, self‑motivated and flexible, you will be a team player who is always willing to go the extra mile, enabling our residents to lead fulfilled lives.

We would like you to have a real passion for care. Someone who sees this as an opportunity to build solid relationships with our residents, to allow them to live well in later life by putting them at the heart of all that you do.

This isn’t just a job; it’s about making a difference to older people’s lives every day.

Why Join Friends of the Elderly?

Heritage of Care: Work with a trusted organisation backed by over a century of expertise.

Non‑Profit Mission: Be part of a charity that prioritises people, not profit. While we take a commercial approach to our work, we are not for profit and we are committed to our charitable values.

State‑of‑the‑Art Facilities: Lead a cutting‑edge care home designed for comfort and community.

Professional Development: Access training and career development opportunities.

Make Your Mark

This is a unique opportunity to shape the culture and success of a brand‑new care home, leaving a lasting impact on residents’ lives and the community.

In return for your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a wealth of benefits:

• Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
• Generous annual leave.
• Wellbeing support through various initiatives, including an employeeassistanceprogramme.
• Learning, development, and progression opportunities.
• Monthly prize draw, with 3 prizes to be won.
• Retail discount schemes to make your salary go further.
• Access to loans at affordable rates, saving directly from salary and advance pay already earned.
• Health cash plans for you and your family.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Long service awards that increase with length of service.
• Refer a friend to work for us and receive a £200 bonus.
• Uniforms are provided
• Free DBS checks.

Safeguarding:

Keeping everyone safe is one of the charity’s core values and is central to everything we do at Friends of the Elderly. All staff follow our Safeguarding Policy & Procedures and, if they see or suspect abuse, we expect staff to report it straight away.

Criminal record checks:

As this role involves a regulated activity, successful applicants will undertake an enhanced DBS check, with barred lists check, and any offer of employment will be dependent on a satisfactory outcome.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar a person from working for us, this will depend on the circumstances and background of any record.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Friends of the Elderly strives to treat all staff equally and be a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone can be themselves and everyone accepts each other’s differences. A charity where everyone is equal but definitely not the same.

Our ambition is to ensure equality and celebrate diversity, all working together to create an inclusive workplace, which attracts and retains the best people. People that care and can make a difference.

We currently do not provide sponsorship but we welcome applications from those who have a right to work in the UK.

Who we are

For 120 years, Friends of the Elderly has been helping older people live well and find fulfilment in later life. Through our care homes, day centres and grants programme, we provide support, connection and dignity when it is needed most.

We also work with partners to extend our impact and ensure older people remain at the heart of their communities.

Learning, Development, and Career Progression

We offer various opportunities for professional growth, including training programs and career advancement paths.

Our counselling and coaching sessions are designed to support the mental and emotional health of our staff.

Retail Discount Schemes

These schemes help staff make their salary go further with discounts at various retailers.

Friends of the Elderly

Registered charity in England and Wales (no 226064); registered company in England and Wales (no 133850).

Registered office: The Bradbury Centre, Smiles Place, Woking, Surrey, GU22 8BJ. A company limited by guarantee. Contact us