Care Professional Jobs in Ascot, Camberley & Wokingham: Your Questions Answered
Thinking about a role in care but not sure where to start? Whether you’re based in Ascot, Camberley, Wokingham or somewhere in between, you probably have questions about what the job actually involves before you take the next step. Here are the things our team gets asked most.
Working Hours and Contracts
What do flexible hours mean?
It means your working pattern can be shaped around the life you already have. Many of our Care Professionals across Ascot, Camberley and Wokingham work around the school run, fitting visits into the day with time to spare at either end. Others prefer evenings or weekends, or a mixture across the week. Whatever suits you best, we ask that you offer it consistently, as the families we support across this part of Berkshire and Surrey count on seeing the same face at the same time, every visit.
If I’m on a zero hours contract, how will availability work?
Once we’ve talked through the hours you’re able to commit to, we build your schedule around that pattern. For our Care Professionals based across the Ascot, Camberley and Wokingham area, this means your agreed time slots are yours to rely on from our end too, and we need them kept free on yours. We’re not asking for permanent availability, just the consistency that lets our clients trust in their routine.
How many hours will I get?
We offer both guaranteed hours and flexible contracts depending on what gives you the right level of stability. If you need a predictable weekly income, guaranteed hours give you that certainty. If you’re fitting care around college, another role, or family life, a flexible arrangement may suit better. Either way, we start you steadily, getting you settled with a smaller group of clients before building to a fuller schedule, with pay starting from £14.50 per hour.
Can I work school term time only?
Unfortunately not. Our clients across Ascot, Camberley, Wokingham, Bracknell, Sandhurst and the surrounding villages need year-round consistency from their Care Professional. What our scheduling team will do is work closely with you to plan annual leave around the times that matter most. A good number of our team are parents, and getting the school holidays right for everyone is something our schedulers take seriously.
Is there a minimum number of hours I have to commit to?
We ask that you’re available at least three to four days a week and can keep to a consistent shift pattern. The clients we support across Ascot, Camberley and the surrounding villages rely on seeing the same Care Professional at the same time each visit. It’s this familiarity that is often one of the most valued parts of the service we provide. If your availability changes over time, we’ll always have that conversation with you and find a way to make it work.
Getting Started as a Care Professional
What qualifications do I need?
We hire on values, not certificates, so we don’t stipulate any qualifications. What we’re looking for is someone who is warm, dependable, and genuinely enjoys spending time with older people – skills that can’t be taught. Our Care Professionals are all local from across Ascot, Camberley, Wokingham and the surrounds, with many coming from completely different fields before joining us. If you do have care experience or qualifications, that’s always welcome, but it’s not a requirement of the role.
Do I need a driving licence and car?
Yes, a full UK driving licence and access to your own car are both required. Our area spans Ascot, Camberley, Wokingham, Bracknell, Sandhurst and the villages in between, so being able to travel independently between clients is essential to the role. Fifteen minutes of paid travel time is built into your schedule between each visit.
What happens after I apply?
Our Ascot recruitment team will be in touch shortly after you enquire to arrange an informal conversation either by phone or video call, whichever suits you. They’ll want to understand what you’re looking for, what hours work for you, and what’s drawing you towards care. It’s a good opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have and if it feels like a good fit on both sides, we’ll invite you in to meet the team at our office before we progress with an offer.
Will I get a DBS check and who pays for it?
Yes, all of our Care Professionals are required to have an Enhanced DBS check before working with clients. We arrange it and cover the cost in full, with nothing to repay if you move on. The Enhanced check is the most thorough level available, and for us it reflects the responsibility that comes with being welcomed into someone’s home.
Your Training at Home Instead Ascot, Camberley & Wokingham
What will training be like?
Your first two days are fully paid, face-to-face training covering everything from how Home Instead operates to how to deliver care in readiness of your first client visits. There’s also paid online learning to complete at home. As you develop in your role, specialist training becomes available in areas like Parkinson’s, catheter and stoma care, and baseline observations. We support families across Berkshire and Surrey with complex and evolving needs, so ongoing training and refreshers are part of how we work. Our dedicated office team is also always on hand to help you along the way with questions or any additional training.
What the Role Looks Like Day to Day
Will I wear a uniform?
No. Across the towns and villages we cover, from Ascot and Sunningdale to Camberley and Wokingham, many of our clients live in close communities where privacy matters a great deal to them. You’ll wear your own clothes with a simple Home Instead lanyard, and to anyone passing, you’re a friend calling in or a relative dropping by. PPE is worn when it’s appropriate, inside the home, but not on the doorstep.
How far will I be expected to travel?
Our area covers Ascot, Camberley, Wokingham, Bracknell, Sandhurst and the surrounding villages. We do our best to cluster your visits geographically, keeping you close to your home base wherever possible, and there’s 15 minutes of paid travel time built in between each client. Our schedulers think about routing carefully, so that we’re not asking anyone to zigzag across the area every day.
Your next step into a career in home care
If this page has answered your questions and you feel that a role in home care could be the right direction, we’d love to hear from you. Our team is currently recruiting Care Professionals across Ascot, Camberley, Wokingham, Bracknell, Sandhurst and the surrounding villages. You can give our recruitment team a call on 01276 903106 or view our current roles here
