Care UK is one of the UK’s leading care home providers, with more than 260 homes across England, Scotland and Wales. For over 40 years, we’ve helped older people live meaningful, happy and fulfilled lives — and the best part? Young people like you are a huge part of that.
If you’re thinking about what comes next after school, Care UK is a great place to start. Whether you’re considering hands-on care, nursing, cooking and hospitality, activities, business, maintenance or even progressing to leadership. You can also explore other business areas like HR, Marketing, Finance and Sales among more. Whatever your goal, there’s a path here that can take you further than you think.
You don’t need experience — just the right values and a willingness to learn. Our teams are friendly, supportive and genuinely passionate about what they do. With paid training, apprenticeships, and clear steps to progress, you’ll build real-world skills while doing something that matters.
Why young people choose Care UK
You can start straight from school
You’ll join supportive, team-focused homes
You’ll receive full training, and lots of opportunity to develop your career
You can earn while you learn through apprenticeships
You’ll make a difference every single day
Who’s a great fit for Care UK?
Students who enjoy… ✔ Helping others ✔ Working with people ✔ Learning practical skills ✔ Growing confidence and responsibility ✔ Making a positive impact
If this sounds like you — Care UK could be the perfect first step in your career.
Step into a career that matters
✨ 10 fast facts about Care UK ✨
260+ homes = opportunities everywhere
With care homes across England, Scotland and Wales, your next job, placement, apprenticeship or work experience could be right on your doorstep. No need to move far to get started — your future career is closer than you think.
40 years of changing lives (and counting!)
Care UK has been supporting older people for over four decades. That means you’ll be joining a team that’s trusted, experienced and constantly improving. You get the perfect mix of stability AND innovation.
Start your career at just 16
Students may start with a placement and end up staying for years. If you’re 16 or older, you can step into a real workplace, learn new skills and see if care is the right career for you. No long wait — jump in and try it.
Fair pay from day one (Yes, really!)
Care UK pays all apprentices — even 16–24-year-olds — the National Living Wage. While many companies pay lower apprentice rates, Care UK believes young people deserve to earn properly while they train.
Three values that actually mean something
Caring. Passionate. Teamwork.
If you love helping others, want to make an impact and enjoy being part of a supportive team, Care UK feels like home from day one.
500+ apprentices are learning with us right now
You won’t be alone — you’ll join thousands of colleagues building skills, earning qualifications and progressing into amazing long-term careers.
You get a buddy to guide you through the first 12 weeks
Starting a new job can feel scary, so you’re paired with a Buddy who shows you the ropes, answers questions and helps you grow your confidence. It makes your first weeks feel less like “new job stress” and more like joining a supportive team.
Tons of ways to get involved: work experience, T Levels, visits & more
Whether you want a one-day look around, a short placement, a year-long programme or a supported internship, there’s something for every student. It’s the perfect way to build your CV and explore a real career.
Exclusive training academies for future nurses and chefs
Dream of becoming a nurse? A chef? A clinical expert?
Care UK has its own training academies where you get hands-on experience, specialist workshops and proper coaching from professionals. It’s like levelling up your skills in real life.
No experience? No problem — we grow our own talent
Most people who become senior carers, team leaders, chefs and even home managers and Care UK directors started with zero experience. Care UK believes in potential — if you’re willing to learn, they’re ready to train you.
Ready to explore a career where you can learn, grow and make a real impact? At Care UK, your journey starts with just one step — and we’ll be there to support you every moment after that. Whether you’re choosing your first job or planning a long-term career, this is a place where your potential truly matters.
If you’re curious, enthusiastic and ready to make a difference, Care UK is ready for you.
APPRENTICESHIPS AT CARE UK
Earn money. Gain qualifications. Build a career.
Whether you’re brand new to care or already have experience, apprenticeships are one of the best ways to learn on the job while getting paid. You’ll work alongside experienced team members, receive structured training and move at a pace that suits you.
Early Careers at Care UK
Why apprenticeships are awesome:
✔ You earn while you learn ✔ You gain a nationally recognised qualification ✔ You’re trained based on your skill level ✔ You grow your confidence and career opportunities ✔ You don’t need any previous experience
Who they’re perfect for:
Students wanting to start work at 16+
Anyone exploring a new career in care
People wanting to upskill or progress
Future leaders of Care UK
How long they take:
Most apprenticeships last 12–18 months — and they’re worth every moment.
Whether you’re exploring a career in care or looking to build on existing knowledge, Care UK’s work experience and placement opportunities are the perfect way to start your journey.
Work experience
Our program is designed to provide young people with valuable insights into the care profession. It’s more than just shadowing, it’s about experiencing the everyday rewards and challenges of care work, gaining hands-on experience, and understanding the vital role care plays in our society.
For many, this experience opens up a new career pathway – one that is both fulfilling and vital to our communities. We know that young people bring fresh ideas, energy, and a new perspective to the care sector. This work experience program is an opportunity for individuals to see if care is the right career for them but also to understand how they can make a real difference. They’ll gain new skills, explore career pathways, and see how working together as a team can lead to fulfilling lives for residents.
Supported work placement
At Care UK we believe everyone deserves a chance to reach their full potential. That’s why we offer supported work placements – a unique opportunity for young people who often face many barriers to employment such as learning difficulties or disabilities. We offer supported work placements to gain real-life experience in the world of work.
Our supported work placements provide a hands-on experience in a variety of roles. You’ll develop valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, all while making a positive impact on the lives of those we care for.
For many young people, the supported work placement opens doors to a new sense of purpose and belonging. With the right support and training, they gain confidence in their abilities and the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.
Work placements at Care UK
Work placements
Our work placements give you the opportunity to understand the day-to-day operations of Care UK, from supporting residents with activities to assisting with care documents. It’s a chance to see the positive impact social care has on residents, their loved ones, and the local community.
We offer work placements in a variety of roles, typically supporting students as part of an educational programme, like T Levels. From finance opportunities to being a Care Assistant, and exploring HR or catering roles, we support a wide variety of work placements. Not only can you experience the rewarding work the care sector provides, but you’ll also develop lifelong skills.
Open Doors
Our homes offer a two hour employer encounter whereby educational providers/schools and students visit a Care UK home.
Visitors gain an insight to what it could be like to work at Care UK and receive an overview of careers, apprenticeships, development opportunities, a tour of the home and take part in a group work practical based activity.
These visits are a great way to meet Gatsby Benchmarks and increase visitors’ awareness of the careers and possibilities in the care sector. This is suitable for all who are year 7+ (although this event particularly attracts years 9–11) in mainstream education, and also for SEND mild/moderate needs.
Care UK is hosting two virtual early-career insight events designed to give secondary school students a realistic understanding of careers in catering and hospitality within health and social care.
Care UK catering spotlight A one-hour virtual session introducing students to catering roles at Care UK, including entry routes, progression opportunities, and live Q&A with our Hotel Services Managers.
Virtual live work experience A half-day interactive online experience where students hear directly from Care UK colleagues, explore “day-in-the-life” roles, and take part in individual and group activities to build employability awareness.
Both sessions are ideal for students exploring practical, people-focused career pathways and those interested in hospitality, catering, or care environments.
Event 1: Care UK catering spotlight Monday 2 March 2026 | 10:00am – 11:00am | Virtual
Students will:
Learn about catering roles and opportunities at Care UK
Understand entry routes and progression pathways
Ask questions directly to Care UK Hotel Services Managers
Event 2: virtual live work experience Tuesday 3 March 2026 | 10:00am – 2:00pm | Virtual
Students will:
Hear real “day in the life” experiences from Care UK colleagues
Take part in interactive individual and group activities
Gain insight into workplace skills and employability in a care setting
Induction
We ensure colleagues feel supported right from the start
Our 12-week induction and Buddy programme help team members become familiar with our vision, values and ways of working.
The induction process
Our 12-week inductions ensure that colleagues are confident and competent in their roles. Your first two weeks will be protected for induction-only activity. After two weeks, you’ll have a ‘catch-up’ chat with your manager to see how you’re settling in. You’ll have further catch-ups at four weeks, six weeks and 12 weeks.
As part of your induction, you’ll be assigned a Buddy from day one. They will be a friendly face to guide you through the first three months of your employment, offering advice, feedback and answering any general questions.
New to care? No problem
We know the first few weeks in a care role can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a new to care pathways for colleagues who wish to build a career with us.
We offer various training and apprenticeships, as well as our future team leader, future deputy, future manager and future regional director programmes.
We believe every one of us makes a difference.
At Care UK, we strive to support colleagues’ mental, physical and financial wellbeing and promote diversity and inclusion.
Our teams’ wellbeing is our top priority, and we believe it’s important to foster a culture of promoting open and honest conversations.
How we support colleague wellbeing
Our benefits include tools and discounts to help employees manage their physical and financial wellbeing and mental health, including an Employee Assistance Programme.
Our Support Centre and each of our care homes take a unique approach to supporting their teams, from providing team breakfasts and socials to training Mental Health First Aiders.
One colleague had this to say about being a Mental Health First Aider:
“I want colleagues to know that I am there, because I know what it’s like when you are coming into work and you’re struggling mentally through my own experience. The role is all about helping people, getting people to talk about their feelings. It’s about letting people know that there is someone there if they need to talk.”
Lucy, a Mental Health First Aider
One care home, Abney Court, has even transformed an unused storeroom into a wellbeing room for the team. Colleagues can use the space to access resources on mental health or simply take time out in a peaceful environment.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to creating a working environment where all colleagues can achieve their full potential, free from discrimination or harassment.
We’re proud to promote our diverse workforce. Having a team of different ages, genders and backgrounds ensures fresh thinking and encourages creativity and teamwork.
We are committed to nurturing an inclusive culture and affording equal opportunities to all.
Our initiatives
We want to continue to foster an environment where colleagues know they are valued, respected and feel that they belong. Our practices and policies are constantly under review to ensure they continue to meet the needs of our colleagues and residents.
Values-based recruitment – Our ‘no experience necessary’ approach means we operate a values-based recruitment strategy ensuring opportunities are open to all.
Community-based events – Our colleagues participate in community events ranging from LGBGTQ+ Pride events across the country to Barrio Fiesta in London and many more.
Inclusion networks – We have a number of inclusion networks which colleagues are encouraged to join, such as Colleague Voices, Mental Health First Aiders and an EDI Committee.
Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) committee – We involve frontline colleagues in generating feedback and ideas based on their own lived EDI experiences.
Partnering with social mobility charity Speakers for Schools – We’re delivering a project for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) on behalf of Greater Essex Careers Hub. We aim to support this and similar initiatives nationally in the long term. Read more about our early careers project.
Everyone needs to feel motivated and rewarded, so we offer a competitive package of pay and benefits.
Every single one of our colleagues plays a part in helping us achieve our purpose of fulfilling lives – so we want to reward you for a job well done.
Your benefits
From discounts when you shop to a special gift at Christmas, we provide a range of benefits for our dedicated team members. Care UK’s benefits will save you money and make your life easier, whatever life, job and career stage you are at.
Find more information about our full benefits package here.
What we do differently
Wagestream – Get instant access to some of your pay, without needing to wait for payday. Having instant access to the money you’ve earned puts you in the driving seat. Wagestream also provides tools to get you financially fit, including financial tips and tracking.
Employee Assistance Programme – Balancing the demands of work, home and family can be tough at times, so we provide you, your partner and dependent children with a free, confidential telephone counselling service available 24/7. The service also includes legal and medical queries, as well as access to a wellbeing portal and app.
Learning and development opportunities – Your skills and personal development are important to us. As long as you’re committed and caring, we’ll support you through your learning.
