07/10/2016
Before becoming a live in carer you will need to be thoroughly trained to certain standards. This is to ensure that you know how to do the job and will not be a danger to your client or yourself. While every company differs in the time period of their training programmes, the instruction is basically the same. There are ground rules you need to know and follow in order to comply with regulations.
Having passed your interview and arrived for your training, you will be asked for your references which will definitely be contacted. Make sure they know beforehand that they will be contacted.
You will also be required to give the last five years of addresses which will be used to obtain your DBS Certificate (Disclosure and Barring Service), so write them down. This process is normally done right at the beginning of your training as it does take time to come through.
Take a notebook and some pens. The following subjects will be presented to you and all of these will entail a written test in which you must achieve at least 75%. There is a reference section which is well worth reading before you start your training.
This will cover all aspects of controlling the spread of disease, how to protect yourself and your client, and what to do if there is any infection. You will also be informed of who to contact if you are concerned.
Here you will learn exactly what you can and cannot administer to your client. There are levels of administration, from just passing medication to your client, all the way up to handling and administering of controlled drugs. You will be taught the correct way to log the daily medication intake, and what to do if medication is refused for any reason.
You will be taught how to avoid cross contamination of foods, and the handling of infections such as diarrhoea and vomiting, what causes and spreads bacteria, and how to prevent this. Included in this is basic food preparation and storage, temperatures of food safety and kitchen cleanliness.
This is extremely important as it covers all aspects of vulnerable adults, how to spot abuse and what to do about it. You will be instructed in who to call and how to document anything you might suspect. This is an extremely important subject and not to be taken lightly. Adult abuse is common and you will learn the many different types of abuse.
You will be required to do practical work in manual handling, one on one, or in a group class setting You will be checked to see if you have a good grasp of the safety in this area. Make sure you bring a pair of flat shoes, sensible and comfortable clothing (You may be hoisted by the trainer or other trainees in your class, and a hair band if you have long hair.
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.html
The Management Of Health And Safety Regulations 1999 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
The Provisions and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/puwer.htm
You should approach your training and new job with a positive attitude. Remember that it is better to listen and learn. Ask questions if you need to. While there are no specific ways that a carer will be taught, as far as character is concerned, you will find that if you approach caring with an open mind, you will discover depths in yourself that you did not know you had. Caring is a very fulfilling job, and extremely humbling. It can however be very frustrating and tiring. These are things that you should try to step back from, take a deep breath and go forward. Caring is entirely about another person, you and your needs will take a back seat. Patience and kindness are essential, along with a good attitude and definitely a sense of humour! If you approach your client with these attributes, not only will they benefit, but you will become a stronger person who is able to handle situations that others might run from.
