Reposted over 30 days ago

Care Assistant - Care Home

Barchester Healthcare
Pay ÂŁ13.44/hour
Location Tarporley, England, United Kingdom
Contract time Full time, permanent

The Breakroom Take

5.7

Rated 5.7 out of 10, based on 541 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz

See all job reviews

  • People enjoy this job
  • Recommended by students
  • Proper training

About Barchester Healthcare

Barchester Healthcare is a care group. They operate care homes and assisted living locations.

Job description from Barchester Healthcare

ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Care Assistant at a Barchester care home, you'll help residents enjoy each day by making sure they get the quality care and support they deserve. You'll assist with daily living, providing support and companionship and sharing great moments and memories too. It's a chance to bring your dedication and compassion to a fulfilling environment. Every day will be different, so you can expect to undertake work that's as varied as it is rewarding. As a Care Assistant, you could be doing anything from supporting residents with their food and drink and following care plans to ensuring that each of our residents has one-to-one time. It's an opportunity to put your skills to meaningful use and develop your career.

ABOUT YOU
To join us as a Care Assistant you'll need to have some experience of caring for older people, a can-do approach and excellent communication skills. Your empathy and warm-hearted approach will shine through, but above all, you'll have the compassion needed to deliver the highest standard of care and support for all our residents. In return we'll provide all the training you need to thrive.

REWARDS PACKAGE

In return for your dedication, you'll receive a competitive rate of pay plus our sector-leading benefits and rewards package including:

Free training and development for all roles
Access to wellbeing and support tools
A range of retail discounts and savings
Unlimited referrals with our Refer a Friend' bonus scheme
Employee of the Month' rewards and Long Service Awards'

And so much more!

If you'd like to use your people skills in an organisation that provides the quality care you'd expect for your loved ones, this is a rewarding place to be.

#3231

Job insights from Breakroom

Care workers and assistants

Care workers and assistants help support people in their daily lives to live as independently as possible

What you’ll do as a care worker/assistant:

  • Help with social or physical activities
  • Household tasks, like cleaning and washing
  • Support by preparing food, and providing help with eating and other tasks like bathing and getting dressed
  • Check and monitor health and help with medication

Is it right for you?

This job may involve:

  • Standing
  • Heavy lifting
  • Helping with personal care
  • Physical activity
  • Emotionally demanding duties
  • Wearing a uniform
  • Night work
  • Long hours
  • Anti-social hours
  • Cleaning
  • Working alone

Map

Tarporley, England, United Kingdom

A map of the rough location for this vacancy

What employees say

Pay

    Good
  • Most people are paid a living wage

    Do Barchester Healthcare pay care assistants enough to live on?

    Most people are paid a living wage.

    How we know this

    67% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.

    Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should be paid enough to live on.

    The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.

    The current rates are ÂŁ12.60 per hour, and ÂŁ13.85 per hour in London.

    Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.

  • Good
  • Most people are paid market rates

    Do Barchester Healthcare pay care assistants market rates?

    Most people are paid above average for their job.

    How we know this

    72% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.

    Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.

  • Needs improving
  • Under 21s get paid less than everyone else

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare get paid the same regardless of age?

    No, people under the age of 21 get paid less than those above 21.

    See what Barchester Healthcare pays different age groups

    How we know this

    The average pay of under 21s is less than those who are over 21.

    Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and April 2025.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get paid breaks

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare get paid breaks?

    Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.

    How we know this

    62% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.

    Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should have paid breaks.

    You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get sick pay

    Do Barchester Healthcare pay care assistants sick pay?

    No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.

    How we know this

    91% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.

    Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.

    At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.

    This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.

  • Good
  • Most people don’t do unpaid extra work

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare do extra work that they don't get paid for?

    Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.

    How we know this

    72% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.

    Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.

Hours and flexibility

    Okay
  • Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts

    How much notice do care assistants get of their shift pattern at Barchester Healthcare?

    Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.

    How we know this

    • 13% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
    • 8% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
    • 34% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
    • 45% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.

    Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.

    This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.

  • Good
  • Most people don’t worry about their hours

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare worry about hours?

    Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    How we know this

    81% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.

    A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.

    This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get a choice of shifts

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare get to choose the shifts they work?

    Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.

    How we know this

    58% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.

    Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.

  • Needs improving
  • Hard to change shifts

    How easy is it for care assistants at Barchester Healthcare to change shifts?

    Most people find it hard to change shifts.

    How we know this

    69% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.

    Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.

  • Okay
  • Can be hard to book holiday

    How easy is it for care assistants to book a holiday at Barchester Healthcare?

    Some people find it hard to book holiday.

    How we know this

    39% of people report it’s hard to book holidays.

    Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.

  • Okay
  • Shifts can get changed at short notice

    Do Barchester Healthcare managers change care assistants shifts at short notice?

    Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.

    How we know this

    44% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.

    Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people find it hard to take sick leave

    How easy is it for care assistants to take sick leave at Barchester Healthcare?

    Most people find it hard to take sick leave.

    How we know this

    73% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.

    Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.

    A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.

  • Okay
  • Only some parents say it’s good

    Is working as care assistants at Barchester Healthcare good if you have caring responsibilities?

    Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.

    How we know this

    53% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.

    Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.

Workplace

    Okay
  • Only some people feel treated with respect

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare feel treated with respect by their managers?

    Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.

    How we know this

    50% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.

    Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get proper breaks

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare get proper breaks?

    Some people don’t get proper breaks.

    How we know this

    42% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.

    Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people are stressed

    Is it stressful for care assistants to work at Barchester Healthcare?

    Most people feel stressed here.

    How we know this

    92% of people say they often feel stressed at work.

    Based on data from 36 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.

    Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Good
  • Most people enjoy their job

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare enjoy their jobs?

    Most people enjoy their job.

    How we know this

    69% of people report they enjoy their job.

    Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t recommend their team

    Do care assistants at Barchester Healthcare recommend working with their team?

    Not many people recommend working with their team.

    How we know this

    69% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.

    Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job means enjoying the place where you work.

    The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.

    If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.

  • Good
  • Most people get enough training

    Do care assistants get enough training when they start at Barchester Healthcare?

    Most people got enough training when they started.

    How we know this

    86% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.

    Based on data from 37 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.

    This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.

    It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get support to progress

    Are care assistants given support to progress at Barchester Healthcare?

    Most people aren’t given support to progress here.

    How we know this

    In the last year, 72% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.

    Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.

    This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.

  • Needs improving
  • Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening

    Do care assistants think Barchester Healthcare head office understands what's happening where they work?

    Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.

    How we know this

    94% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.

    Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.

    To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t feel well informed by head office

    Do care assistants feel well informed about how Barchester Healthcare is doing?

    Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.

    How we know this

    72% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.

    Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.

    You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.

Find out more about working at Barchester Healthcare

What Barchester Healthcare employees say about their job

  • Best thing

    Free lunch

    Worst thing

    Stress asking to do the impossible and bad management requests work is never finished in a timely manner and always backlogged because staff not pulling their weight

    3.7

    Domestic at Barchester Healthcare, March 2025

  • Best thing

    The residents

    Worst thing

    The management. They will let you work your self to burn out and then blame you for it. You don't get listened to unless you get hard proof of anything so if you decide to work for Barchester make sure you get evidence of everything that is going on in the home so that you get listened to.

    1.7

    Care assistant at Barchester Healthcare, November 2024

See more reviews
  • Best thing

    looking after people

    Worst thing

    it's a toxic place to work. no support from management. she changes what she says often. bitching between staff is really bad and management don't care. you report safeguarding issue n they still allow said issue to work in building. you report concern other clients and nothing is done especially regarding nursing patients.

    6.0

    Senior carer at Barchester Healthcare, March 2023

  • Best thing

    You get supports front the staff

    Worst thing

    When we are short and don't get time and half when we have to do the extra work when are short staffed

    4.9

    Care assistant at Barchester Healthcare, February 2023

  • Best thing

    The team you work with on the floor and the friends you make

    Worst thing

    Management not caring about their employees and more interested in filling the rooms and accepting residents who’s needs you cannot meet, getting paid less for the same work because of your age. The stress

    5.5

    Senior carer at Barchester Healthcare, November 2022

  • Best thing

    residents, progression in job and support with progressing ny career

    Worst thing

    rude management, divide between upstairs and downstairs resident in way of money spent on the area of home

    6.4

    Senior carer at Barchester Healthcare, May 2022

  • Best thing

    Work a weeks hours in 3 days.
    Like who I work with.

    Worst thing

    Stressful, barchester is massively profit orientated.
    Pay isn’t great for what you do but you get that everywhere

    5.0

    Care assistant at Barchester Healthcare, October 2021

  • Best thing

    I love been a carer and looking after patients . I love interacting and seeing them progress and some go home .

    Worst thing

    I feel we aren’t praised enough and rewarded enough it always seems to be the same people that get rewarded when we do so much .

    6.8

    Care assistant at Barchester Healthcare, March 2021

  • Best thing

    We work incredibly hard, it’s a very rewarding place to work, the friends you make last a lifetime.

    Worst thing

    Usually not enough staff or hrs, leading to stress amongst staff.

    4.6

    Head of housekeeping at Barchester Healthcare, December 2020

  • Best thing

    I enjoy chatting and listening to the people which live in the care home.
    I work with some great people there, I enjoy chatting and working with them.

    Worst thing

    Not doing a good job, because we are not given enough time or staff to do the job correctly.
    Seeing residence unhappy and not having the time to spend with them to support them.

    4.9

    Care assistant at Barchester Healthcare, November 2020

  • More reviews from Barchester Healthcare employees

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