Is care your calling?

You don’t need to have worked in care before. You just need to be someone who cares. Maybe you’re naturally the person who looks out for others. You’re patient, dependable and good company. You notice when somebody needs a little help, you enjoy getting to know people, and you’d like a job where the hours you work actually mean something.

If that sounds like you, Home Instead might just be your next career move.

We’re Home Instead Oxford, a CQC-rated Outstanding home care provider supporting older people across Oxford, Kidlington, Witney, Carterton, Burford and the surrounding villages.

Our Care Assistants - who we also proudly call our Care Professionals - support older people to continue living safely, happily and independently in the place they know and love best: their own home. And one of the things that makes Home Instead different is simple: we give you time to care. Our visits are a minimum of one hour, and we focus on matching you with regular clients so you can genuinely get to know the people you support.

You might arrive to help somebody get ready for their day, prepare breakfast and support with medication. Another visit might involve making lunch, heading out for a walk, helping around the home or simply sitting down with a cup of tea and having a proper conversation. Some clients need support with personal care, washing, dressing or mobility. Others may need companionship, meal preparation, medication support or a little help maintaining their independence.

No two clients are the same - and that’s exactly the point. We want care to be personal.

What makes Home Instead different?

There are lots of care jobs out there. We want you to know why we think this one is special.

Minimum one-hour visits
Because brilliant care shouldn't be rushed.

Regular clients
We believe in continuity. Wherever possible, you'll see the same people regularly, giving you the opportunity to build trust and genuine relationships.

Training like you've never known
Our Care Skills Academy is our one-stop shop for growth, knowledge and potential. You'll receive comprehensive, paid training before supporting clients, followed by shadowing, mentoring, client-specific training and ongoing development throughout your career with us.

No care experience? That's absolutely fine.
Some of our brilliant Care Professionals came to us having never worked in care before. We'll give you the training, knowledge and support you need - we're much more interested in finding people with the right values, compassion and attitude.

A team behind you
Working in the community doesn't mean working alone. You'll have ongoing support from our office team, opportunities to meet other Care Professionals and people to turn to when you need advice, reassurance or simply a friendly voice.

A career if you want one
For some people, becoming a Care Assistant is the perfect job to fit around other commitments. For others, it's the beginning of an entirely new career. We offer clear development pathways, funded qualifications and opportunities to progress.

And yes, the practical stuff matters too!

You'll receive:

• £13.45 per hour Monday to Friday
• £14.20 per hour at weekends
• £26.90 per hour on bank holidays
• Paid mileage and travel time between client visits
• Full paid training through our Care Skills Academy
• Support to achieve your Care Certificate
• Career development opportunities and funded qualifications, including NVQs
• Workplace pension and holiday pay
• Access to your pay before payday
• Free Blue Light Card
• Access to discounted fuel
• Referral rewards for helping us grow our team and client community
• Ongoing support from a friendly, close-knit team
• Regular opportunities to meet and connect with other Care Professionals

Who are we looking for?

We're not looking for one particular type of person. You might already be an experienced Care Assistant looking for a provider that gives you more time with your clients. You might work in retail, hospitality, childcare, customer service or an entirely different industry and be wondering whether care could be for you. You might be returning to work, looking for something more meaningful, or simply ready for a change.

What matters to us is who you are.

We're looking for people who are warm, compassionate and reliable. People who turn up when they say they will, take pride in doing things properly and understand just how important they can become in somebody else's life.

You don't need to know everything about care on day one. That's our job to teach you.

When can I work?

We have a variety of hours available and will talk to you about what could work alongside your other commitments. It could be part-time or full-time. Our clients need us seven days a week, so we do ask our Care Professionals to work alternate weekends, covering both Saturday and Sunday, with hours that match what you usually do during the week.

You'll primarily be supporting clients across Witney, Carterton, Burford and the surrounding villages, so being comfortable travelling locally is important. Due to the community-based nature of the role, a full driving licence and access to a vehicle is required.

You must also be aged 18 or over.

A job that feels like more than a job

There aren't many jobs where making somebody breakfast, taking the time to listen to a story, helping someone feel confident enough to leave the house, or simply arriving at the door with a familiar smile can completely change somebody's day. For our clients and their families, the right Care Professional can mean reassurance, companionship, confidence and the ability to remain living at home. For you, it can mean going home knowing your work genuinely mattered.

We're incredibly proud of the care our team provides, and we're looking for more brilliant people to join us. So, if you're looking for a job with purpose, proper training, great relationships and a team that genuinely cares about doing things well, we'd love to hear from you.

So, is care your calling? Apply today and come and find out what being a Home Instead Care Professional could mean for you.

Please note: This is a UK-based role and any offer of employment is subject to candidates having the right to work in the UK.