Care work is one of the few fields where a hiring manager is looking for character as much as qualifications. They want to know that you are reliable, kind, observant and safe around people who depend on you. A good care assistant CV shows all of that on one or two clear pages, without clichés. This guide explains what to include, how to word it, and gives a complete worked example for a UK care assistant role.
The example CV, the names and the employers in this post are illustrative. They show structure and wording, so use your own real details.
What a care manager looks for
Whether the job is in a care home, a hospital ward, a domiciliary (home care) service or supported living, managers are usually checking for the same things:
- Reliability. Care rotas depend on people turning up, so a steady record matters.
- Practical care skills. Personal care, moving and handling, medication support, meals and hydration, infection control.
- Communication and dignity. Talking with residents, families and colleagues respectfully, including with people living with dementia.
- Safe practice. Awareness of safeguarding, accurate record keeping and reporting concerns.
- Relevant training. Certificates and mandatory training, which should be listed clearly with dates.
You do not need previous paid care experience for every role. Many employers train new starters, and caring for a relative or volunteering can count. Say so honestly and describe what you did.
The best section order
- Contact details. Name, phone, email and town or city. Many care providers are local, so your area helps.
- Personal summary. Three sentences, specific to care work.
- Key skills. A short list that matches the advert.
- Work experience. Most recent first, with care-specific bullets.
- Qualifications and training. Include the Care Certificate, a Level 2 or 3 diploma in health and social care, first aid, moving and handling and so on, if you hold them.
- Additional information. Driving licence and car access (very useful for home care), and your availability for shifts, nights and weekends.
Employers will usually ask about an enhanced DBS check and references later in the process. You do not need to put your DBS details on the CV itself, but you can say whether you hold a current certificate or are happy to apply for one.
Writing the summary
Weak: "Caring and compassionate person looking for a rewarding role in care."
Stronger: "Reliable care assistant with three years' experience supporting older residents, including people living with dementia, in a 40-bed nursing home. Confident with personal care, moving and handling, and accurate daily records. Looking for a day or night shift role in a CQC-registered home near Bristol."
The second version names the setting, the experience and the practical skills, and tells the manager exactly what you are after. Everybody says they are caring, so show it through detail instead.
Turning duties into evidence
Care duties can read as a generic list. Add the setting, the numbers you can honestly give and the outcome for the person you supported.
Before: "Helped residents with personal care."
After: "Provided personal care, including washing, dressing and continence support, for up to eight residents per shift, always respecting their dignity and personal preferences."
Before: "Wrote care notes."
After: "Completed accurate, timely daily care records and reported changes in residents' condition to the senior carer straight away."
Before: "Worked with families."
After: "Kept relatives informed about residents' wellbeing and responded calmly and respectfully to questions and concerns."
These are only models. Use figures only when you know them, and do not claim duties your role did not include, such as administering medication if you only prompted it. Be exact; managers ask about this at interview.
Skills to list (and how to prove them)
Pick the ones that are true for you and appear in the advert:
- Personal care and promoting dignity
- Moving and handling, including hoists
- Dementia care and communication
- Medication prompting or administration, where you are trained
- Safeguarding adults
- Infection prevention and control
- Record keeping and care plans
- Mealtime support and hydration
- Working as part of a team and on your own
A bare list is thin, so tie your strongest two or three to the experience section. If the advert says "dementia care", your bullets should too.
Worked example: a care assistant CV (illustrative)
Amara Okafor
Bristol · 07700 900456 · amara.okafor@example.com · Full UK driving licenceSummary
Reliable care assistant with three years' experience supporting older residents, including people living with dementia, in a 40-bed nursing home. Confident with personal care, moving and handling, and accurate records. Seeking a day or night shift role in a CQC-registered home or home care service in the Bristol area.Key skills
Personal care and dignity · Dementia care · Moving and handling · Safeguarding · Medication prompting · Care recordsWork experience
Care Assistant, Oakfield Court Nursing Home, Bristol, Mar 2023 to present
• Provide personal care, mobility support and mealtime assistance for up to eight residents per shift
• Support residents living with dementia using calm communication and familiar routines
• Complete accurate daily care notes and report changes in condition to the senior carer promptly
• Cover night shifts and weekends when needed; no unplanned absence in the last year
Kitchen and Care Support, St Martin's Day Centre (volunteer), Bristol, Jan 2022 to Feb 2023
• Prepared drinks and meals and supported 15 to 20 older visitors each week
• Helped to run activity sessions including quizzes and gentle exerciseQualifications and training
Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care, 2023
Care Certificate, completed 2023
Moving and Handling, Safeguarding Adults, Infection Control, Emergency First Aid at Work: all in date, 2025
GCSEs: English (5), Maths (4), Science (4)Additional information
Hold an enhanced DBS certificate through current employer. Own car. Available for days, nights and weekends.
Everything above is invented for the example. In your own version, replace each detail with real ones, and keep what is relevant.
Layout and template choice
Keep the design calm and readable. Care managers often read CVs on a phone or a shared computer, so large text, clear headings and generous spacing help. Use one or two pages; two pages is acceptable if you have several jobs and training records. A plain single-column layout, such as First Draft, is easy to follow. If you prefer a bit of structure, browse the template gallery for something simple, and check the screening-software note on each template page. The principles in our guide to what an ATS is apply to care providers using online application systems.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Unexplained gaps. A career break to care for family is nothing to hide: one line is enough.
- Training with no dates. Mandatory training expires, so show when you completed it.
- Vague phrases. "Passionate about caring" cannot be checked; "supported eight residents per shift" can.
- Typos. Accuracy in records is part of the job, so spelling mistakes count against you.
Our list of common CV mistakes has more fixes. When you are ready, open the builder and fill in your own details. Building is free, and you will need a free account to download the PDF or Word file. The FAQ covers how that works, and the free CV builder page explains what is included.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a care assistant job with no experience?
Often, yes. Many employers train new care assistants, especially through the Care Certificate. Show reliability, empathy and relevant experience from caring for a relative, volunteering, or work in customer service, hospitality or childcare. Be clear that you are keen to learn and what hours you can offer.
Should I put my DBS check on my CV?
You do not need to give certificate numbers on the CV. A short line saying you hold a current enhanced DBS certificate, or are happy to apply for one, is enough. The employer will normally run their own checks as part of recruitment.
How long should a care assistant CV be?
One page is fine if you are starting out. Two pages suit people with several roles and training records. Put the most relevant material on page one: your summary, skills and latest role.