Salary: from £12.00 per hour (+ enhanced bank holiday rates, paid mileage)
Contract: Full-time (guaranteed hours; domiciliary & live-in options).
Location: Bournemouth/Poole/Christchurch and wider Dorset/Hampshire (community-based).
Why this job is worth your time
If you’re looking for a practical visa route into a Tier-1 country and a stable income without needing a long list of degrees, this role hits the brief. A1 Care is a CQC-registered home-care provider covering Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and surrounding areas, with both domiciliary (visiting) and live-in care services. The work is hands-on and meaningful supporting older adults and people with long-term conditions to live safely at home. Pay is transparent (from £12/hour with enhanced rates on bank holidays), mileage is reimbursed, and training is provided. Most importantly, A1 Care states they are a Direct Licensed Sponsor for the UK Health & Care Worker visa, welcoming applicants who meet straightforward experience and English standards.
Fast facts
Band/Level & salary: Not NHS-banded; from £12.00/hour (plus paid mileage, enhancements).
Rota/contract type: Full-time, guaranteed hours; domiciliary runs (driving between clients) and live-in placements available.
Main site & cross-site cover: Community across Dorset/Hampshire; office base Charminster, Bournemouth; you’ll travel to clients’ homes.
Sponsorship note: Employer describes itself as a UKVI Direct Licensed Sponsor for Health & Care Worker visas (overseas and in-country “switchers”), subject to meeting their requirements.
What you’ll actually do
You’ll deliver one-to-one support in clients’ homes. On a visiting rota, you’ll drive to a small cluster of addresses following a pre-planned run; on a live-in rota, you’ll stay in the client’s home for a set stretch (with rest breaks). Typical tasks include personal care, medication prompts, meal prep and hydration, mobility support(hoists, stand-aids after training), record-keeping on a digital app, and wellbeing checks that flag early concerns to the office team and family.
You’ll work within clear care plans and risk assessments – updating notes each visit, reporting changes (falls risk, skin integrity, appetite), and escalating to the coordinator or on-call nurse/clinical lead if something looks off. You’ll also help with companionship and community access, from a short walk to attending GP appointments.
Training is built-in: new starters complete mandatory care certificates/refreshers, moving to client-specific competencies (e.g., catheter care, PEG feeds) with shadowing shifts. The culture is practical and supportive – schedulers aim to group visits to reduce dead travel time, and the team covers you with 24/7 on-call.
What success looks like (first 90 days)
Weeks 1–2: Complete induction (care standards, moving & handling, medication prompts, safeguarding). Shadow senior carers on 6–10 visits; sign your competency pack.
Weeks 3–6: Progress to independent calls on a small run; maintain 100% visit records and on-time arrival targets; collect client feedback on two visits to share in supervision.
Weeks 7–12: Add two advanced tasks (e.g., catheter care prompts, pressure-area checks) under supervision; complete a mini audit of your notes for one week; support one new colleague as a buddy for two shadow shifts.
Must-have profile
Hands-on experience: At least 2 years in health or social care (care home, hospital ward, community, or equivalent).
English: Confident to speak, read, and write care notes; meets UKVI English standard for the Health & Care Worker visa (if applying from overseas).
Qualifications: Level 2 health and social care (or equivalent) is expected; the company provides mandatory training.
Driving: Full license (international accepted initially) and willingness to obtain a UK licence in post; owns or can access a car for domiciliary runs.
Clear checks: Clean police clearance (overseas and UK, as applicable), DBS, and verifiable work references.
Mindset: Reliable, kind, good communicator, comfortable with personal care and lone working.
Good-to-have
Care Certificate or national equivalent already completed.
Experience with dementia care, end-of-life support, or complex needs.
Basic digital literacy (smartphone scheduling apps, e-notes).
Flexibility for evenings/weekends or occasional live-in rotations – boosts earning potential.
The rota & locations
You’ll be allocated local runs across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and nearby Dorset/Hampshire communities – planned to minimise back-and-forth. Shifts are typically mornings/lunch/tea/evening, with guaranteed hours for full-time staff. Live-in assignments run in blocks (e.g., 2–6 weeks) with breaks between placements. This suits carers who like autonomy, regular contact with a small client list, and the satisfaction of keeping people independent at home.
How to write your supporting statement
Use a tight, three-part structure that shows scope, impact with numbers, and safe practice.
1. Scope & Fit (80–120 words)
Briefly describe your experience (settings, client types), the miles you’ve done in the community (if applicable), and the skills you’re confident with (moving & handling, meds prompts, dementia support). One line on driving and area familiarity.
2. Impact with numbers (3–4 bullets)
Average X visits/day with on-time arrival rate Y% across Z months.
Reduced missed meds or falls incidents by N% via consistent checks.
Achieved client satisfaction of ≥4.5/5 (surveys/feedback notes).
Supported end-of-life care for M clients with positive family feedback.
3. Governance & Teamwork (60–100 words)
Show you document accurately, escalate concerns, keep PPE/infection control tight, and support rota flexibility. Mention any buddying/mentoring of new staff.
Paste-ready mini-template
Summary: Community carer with [X years] across [care home/community/hospital], confident with personal care, meds prompts, mobility aids, and dementia support. Clean license; comfortable covering [areas/neighbourhoods].
Impact: Averaged [X] visits/day; [Y%] on-time arrivals; cut [missed meds/falls] by [N%] through checks and timely escalations; client feedback [≥4.5/5].
Safe practice: Accurate e-notes, MAR prompts, infection control and safeguarding; flexible for evenings/weekends. Keen to take on [live-in/complex] after induction.
Interview prep (likely questions)
1. “Tell us about a challenging domiciliary shift and what you did.” Show judgement, escalation, and clear documentation.
2. “How do you plan your run to stay on time and safe?”Mention route planning, buffer time, PPE, lone-worker check-ins.
3. “What signs trigger an escalation?” Examples: UTI flags, skin changes, falls risk, missed meals/fluids, changes in mood.
4. “How do you support someone with dementia who refuses care?”Respect/redirect, timing, family input, safety-first alternatives.
5. “Live-in boundaries—how do you manage them?” Confidentiality, rest breaks, professional tone, escalation via on-call.
6. “Medication prompts vs. administration – what’s your scope?”
Know policy; stick to prompts/assistance as trained; record meticulously.
7. “Driving & mileage: how do you make community work sustainable?”
Car readiness, fuel/mileage logging, cluster scheduling.
Visa & Sponsorship
A1 Care describes itself as a Direct Licensed Sponsor for the UK Health & Care Worker visa, and considers both overseas applicants and those switching in-country, as long as you meet UKVI rules and the employer’s practical standards (experience, English, police clearances). In plain terms:
You need a confirmed job offer from the sponsor and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Your role must fit the eligible occupation (care/support roles with a CQC-regulated provider).
Your pay must meet the visa salary requirement for the role and working hours.
You’ll provide English proof, police certificates, and TB test (for some countries).
What to ask HR before applying:
- Occupation code they’ll use and how your hours/pay will be recorded against visa rules.
- Contracted hours (e.g., guaranteed 42+ hours for sponsored Health Care Workers) and typical rota.
- Whether they cover or contribute to upfront costs (flights, relocation, immigration skills charge).
- Car requirement for domiciliary runs and whether pool cars exist for starters.
- Sponsorship line and if they will sponsor for both candidates from within (undefined visa) and outside (defined visa) of the UK.
Local life & logistics (if you’re relocating)
Bournemouth/Poole offers comparatively affordable flat-shares versus London, with quick access to beaches, parks and good public transport. For community runs you’ll want a reliable car, but plenty of carers house-share near main routes to cut commute times. Expect typical start-up costs (deposit, first month’s rent, basic kit), a UK bank account and a UK driving license plan within your first year.
Quick FAQ
Is this truly open to international applicants? Yes – sponsored applications are considered if you meet experience, English, and background-check requirements.
- What if I don’t have Level 2 yet? You can still apply if you have equivalent experience and commit to completing mandatory training promptly.
- Do I need to be a driver? Strongly preferred for domiciliary rotas; live-in roles may be an option if you don’t drive.
- Is there a closing date? Not yet. Recruitment is ongoing; early applications are advised.
- Will I be paid for travel?Mileage is paid (up to 45p per mile); schedules aim to minimize dead time between visits.
Final checklist
- Updated CV showing 2+ years hands-on care experience (with month-by-month timelines).
- Copies of ID/passport, police clearances, driver’s licence, and any care certificates.
- Two references(one recent line manager in care).
- Short supporting statement (use the template above).
- Proof of English (if needed for visa) and a plan for UK licence conversion.
- If applying for sponsorship: ask HR to confirm occupation code, hours, salary mapping, and who covers which costs.
Apply on A1 Care (official job page)