The Many Faces of Care: From Admin to Operations, It Takes a Team

It takes many people with all kinds of skills to ensure that people who need care and support have their needs met. If you're interested in working the sector but not necessarily in delivering care, there are many options open to you. While the people providing the care are integral, they can't do it without the support and efforts of the wider team. 

With that in mind, we're exploring the different roles you'll find in the care sector. We'll focus specifically on the positions that aren't involved in delivering care but still play a vital part in service delivery. Let's explore who's in the team, what they do and what qualifications and skills are required. 

Part of a Team

Every care environment is different and will have roles based on the support provided and the setting. A team of people that delivers care in someone's home will differ from the structure in a day centre or care home. Most care settings that support multiple people in one location have larger teams. 

The team is often divided into two parts to better understand the roles and responsibilities. They are the front-facing staff and the back office or behind the scenes roles. Some behind the scenes workers can have contact with the people being supported. However, they aren't directly responsible for care duties, such as helping with dressing, taking medication and other daily activities. 

Front-Facing Roles

Front-facing roles involve working directly with the people being supported. The majority of these are responsible for delivering care. People in these positions spend most of their working day with the people they support. 

Front-facing jobs include:

• Care assistants/workers

• Support workers

• Registered nurses

Other front-facing roles in the team include:

• Physiotherapists

• Doctors

• Dentists

• Opticians

There are also some roles that involve contact with the people being supported that aren't directly involved in delivering care. They include:

• Drivers

• Nutritionists

• Activities coordinator

• Catering staff

Behind the Scenes

People that work behind the scenes or in back office jobs usually have operational responsibilities that enable other members of the team to do their jobs. They also play a role in maintaining a safe environment with the appropriate resources. 

Examples of back office roles include:

• Manager

• Administrator 

• Cook

• Finance manager

• HR officer

• Maintenance staff

• Housekeeping

Some of these team members will come into contact with the people being supported. However, their work is focused on activities not involved in delivering care or interacting with the people receiving care. Most of them conduct all or part of their work in offices or areas separate from the people using the service. 

Care Positions That Don't Involve Delivering Care

Let's take a closer look at the front-facing and back office positions. 

Activities Coordinator

This role is front-facing but focuses on planning events, trips and activities for the groups of people being supported. It requires an understanding of people receiving care and their needs. There aren't usually any mandatory qualifications, but it requires someone who is creative, organised and good at planning. 

Cook

Many care settings, including day centres and care homes, are also responsible for providing meals. They usually have a kitchen with a cook and catering staff to help prepare and serve the meals and clean up afterwards. Balanced, nutritious and tasty meals are an important part of maintaining wellbeing. 

These roles can require health and safety and food hygiene certificates as well as experience in professional kitchens. Time management and communication are essential skills for these positions. 

Human Resources

When a team of staff is involved in any project, including care, there needs to be someone to look after the employees. Members of the human resources team handle the practical sides of employment and running the service. They can cover salary payments, recruitment, contracts, training, holiday and sick leave and organisational matters. People in these roles need experience in HR and could be required to have a qualification in human resources or management. 

Finance Manager 

Services require money to run and someone needs to oversee the incoming and outgoing sums. The finance manager or finance team will provide financial reports, oversee salary payments, invoices, tax and other rates and incoming payments. People in these roles need numeracy and literacy skills, and some will look for experience with financial software or spreadsheets. 

Housekeeping

Another aspect of maintaining wellbeing in a care environment is looking after the space itself. In care homes, that means housekeeping staff to tidy and clean common areas and the rooms of the residents. Day centres and other care environments need cleaners to ensure the space is safe and hygienic. These positions don't usually have mandatory qualifications, although you might train on the job to learn about hygiene, health and safety and hazardous materials.

Maintenance 

Beyond cleaning and tidying, care settings also need to be kept in good condition. The indoor and outdoor environment and the furnishings and appliances need to be safe and fit for purpose. Maintenance staff carry out those duties, including fixing anything that's broken, refreshing paint, clearing gutters and overseeing waste removal. These roles require practical skills and physical abilities, as well as knowledge of tools and how to fix things. 

Transport

Not all care settings have a driver, however, certain day centres might offer regular transport to take the people being supported to and from their homes. A driving licence appropriate to the vehicle used is required. Other desirable skills and qualifications include communication, health and safety and first aid. 

Administrator

Care environments involve organisation and paperwork. In some cases, the manager, finance officer or HR team might handle administrative duties, but it can also be a separate role. It involves ordering supplies, overseeing resources and liaising with external consultants, the public and relatives of the people being supported. This role needs someone who is organised, numerate and has good communication skills. 

All Kinds of People and Skills 

Not every team member is directly involved in the delivery of care but they are just as important to the service. You can have a career in care even if delivering care and support isn't what you're looking for. Supporting the wellbeing of others comes in many different roles, including front-facing and behind the scenes positions. What exciting career will care offer you?