Care Assistant (Care homes)

Perfect Communications; Reading; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

A not-for-profit charity in Reading is seeking a Care Assistant to provide personal care and companionship. The role is part-time, requiring a minimum of 6 months experience in a care home and a relevant qualification like The Care Certificate. Join a community committed to enhancing the lives of older people, where you can make a meaningful difference every day.

Benefits

Group Pension Plan

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing support

Learning and development opportunities

Monthly prize draw

Retail discount schemes

Access to affordable loans

Health cash plans

Cycle to work scheme

Long service awards

Refer a friend bonus

Uniforms provided

Free DBS checks

Qualifications

• At least 6 months experience in a care home environment.
• Ability to provide personal care and companionship.
• Self-motivated and respectful towards residents.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care for residents.
• Assist with meal preparations.
• Keep care records up to date.
• Promote mobility and companionship.

Skills

Empathy

Flexibility

Team Player

Education

The Care Certificate or Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care

Job description

Join to apply for the Care Assistant (Care homes) role at Perfect Communications.

Contract Type: Part Time (26.25 hours per week) and Bank available.

Working Pattern: Days, Weekends.

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, 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.

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

Responsibilities

• 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, 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 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.

Benefits

• Group Pension Plan, with a 6% contribution from us.
• Generous annual leave.
• Wellbeing support through various initiatives, including an employee assistance programme.
• 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 others 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.

Seniority Level

Entry level.

Employment Type

Part‑time.

Job Function

Other.

Industries

Individual and Family Services.