Balancing Life and Work: Choosing the Right Care Role for You

If you’ve already read about the benefits of care work and how rewarding it can be, then you’ll already be looking for a job in the sector. To help you along the way, we’ve got a guide that looks at the work patterns often found in this sector. The good news is that there are several options, making it more likely you’ll find one to fit your needs.

For many people, the starting point is looking for a flexible job. If you need to fit your work around your other commitments, considering care work can help you find a path forward. We explore the different needs and lifestyles that can find success with the right care job working pattern.

How Care Roles Can Suit Different Lifestyles and Needs

Some choose a full-time job for financial reasons, and it suits the amount of time we can devote to working. However, needs and our lifestyles can change. Flexibility in a care role means you can continue to meet your other commitments without making too many compromises.

Some reasons for needing different working patterns include needing time for your studies or caring responsibilities. You might need to accommodate your own health and well-being and adjust your hours accordingly. Having shift patterns that allow you to complete those other tasks means that you can meet that need while still earning money in a fulfilling role. 

Which Option is Right for You?

Picking the option that’s right for you means looking at your needs, flexibility, and the times you are available. For example, you might only be available for a few hours in the middle of the day while your children are at school. Alternatively, you might be able to fit in evening work around your studies. 

We’re exploring some of the working patterns found in the care sector: full-time, part-time, bank and agency work. We start by looking at the kinds of hours and work you can expect. Alongside that, we’ve examined the flexibility and what kind of lifestyle they will suit.

Full-Time Work

Full-time work in the care sector involves a role that typically requires 35 to 40 hours per week. Some of these jobs can be 9-5, although in frontline work its common for shifts to start earlier and finish later in the day. The advantage of these roles is that they’re stable, giving you a guaranteed amount of income each week. 

As you’re working more hours, the pay you take home is more than what you would earn in a part-time role. It’s important to note that full-time work can still be flexible. You can find evening and nighttime work that might suit your needs if availability during the day doesn’t work for you. 

A Part-Time Role

Care work involves a wide range of part-time roles. In many cases, care is required around the clock and all week, which means there are shifts available at different times. A part-time role is also a suitable option for someone getting back into work after a health issue.

If you’re studying, you could find weekend care roles that fit around your weekday commitments. For people with other care commitments, you could find roles for four hours. These roles allow you to work when your kids are at school or someone else can take over.

Bank & Agency Care Work

The ultimate level of flexibility comes from bank and agency work. It depends on who you work with, but often these contracts are temporary or are 'zero hours'. It means you’re not committed to working a fixed number of hours each week. Since care workers are in demand, it usually means you can scale up or down to suit you.

As a bank worker, you're employed directly by a care orgnanisation, but you can pick and choose the shifts you take - offering you greater flexibility. Agency care work can be full-time, part-time or a mix of different shifts. If your commitments change, then you can work more hours for a few weeks and then reduce them as necessary. That makes it ideal for people who are studying but get breaks. It also works well for childcare during term time and the holidays.

Matching the Role to Your Needs

When looking for a role in care, it’s worth considering the full-time, part-time, bank and agency options. Full-time jobs can mean longer shifts, but they don’t have to. They can include weekend and evening work if that suits you better. They’re the best option for a larger, stable and fixed income.

Part-time work is a good option for those with fixed commitments. These roles vary, as some ask for more hours than others, so consider your availability and financial needs.

For flexibility around your wellbeing or commitments that change, bank and agency work can be the ideal solution. It allows you to increase and decrease your hours to suit your availability, capacity and financial needs.

Good luck with your search!