On Call Staff
Role and Responsibilities
On call staff are typically responsible ensuring continuity of care and for being available to call upon during periods of sickness or leave and to provide ad hoc cover during the absence of care staff.
Care workers are typically the people seeing individuals receiving care on a day-to-day basis. They support with all aspects of day to day living; from social and physical activities to personal care and mealtimes, every day is different for those in care settings.
As first line of support, ensuring care staff are properly trained is vital to ensuring the safety and comfort of the people they support. It is also important to keep this training up to date, and to explore additional training that allows the care worker to develop their skills, even if they do not necessarily want to progress to another role.
Care staff’s responsibilities vary depending on the individuals they support but typically include:
- Supporting with personal care activities such as showering
- Supporting with social and physical activities
- Administering medications
- Assisting with mealtimes
- Monitoring and recoding changes in an individual’s condition
Skills and Experience
Your induction will include necessary training such as health & safety, first aid and moving and handling. Additional specific training such as autism awareness, communication skills or working with people with specific conditions may be offered.
It might be useful to have experience working in a similar role or with vulnerable adults. You could gain this experience through a work placement, from your personal life, through volunteering or as part of a traineeship or apprenticeship.
Prior Requirements
All care staff must complete the Care Certificate within the first 12 weeks of employment as part of their induction.