Care Assistant CV (UK): Duties, DBS, Skills, and Example

TL;DR: Write a winning care assistant CV for UK roles. Covers essential duties, DBS disclosure, key skills, and a complete ATS-friendly example for domiciliary and residential care.

The Care Sector Job Market in 2026

The UK care sector is one of the largest employers in the country, with persistent demand for care assistants, support workers, and senior carers. Whether you're applying to residential care homes, domiciliary care agencies, or NHS community roles, a well-structured CV that highlights the right skills and experience is essential.

Key Skills for a Care Assistant CV

• Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting, feeding)
• Medication administration and management
• Moving and handling (manual handling techniques)
• Care plan documentation and record-keeping
• Safeguarding vulnerable adults
• Infection control and prevention
• Communication with residents, families, and multidisciplinary teams
• Dementia care and awareness
• End-of-life care and dignity
• First aid and basic life support

DBS Disclosure

Most care roles require an Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service). On your CV, state: "Enhanced DBS on the Update Service" if registered, or "Enhanced DBS check — available upon request." Do not include your DBS certificate number on your CV. If you have a clean record, you can note: "No criminal convictions or cautions."

How to Describe Care Experience

"Provided personal care and emotional support to 8 residents in a 40-bed dementia care home, maintaining dignity and promoting independence."

"Administered medication to 15 residents per shift in accordance with MAR charts, achieving zero medication errors over 12 months."

"Supported 3 service users with complex needs in a domiciliary care setting, including PEG feeding, catheter care, and physiotherapy exercises."

CV Structure for Care Roles

1. Contact Details
2. Professional Summary (mention care setting type, years of experience, and key specialities)
3. Key Skills (aligned to the Person Specification)
4. Employment History (focus on care-specific duties and achievements)
5. Qualifications (Care Certificate, NVQ/QCF in Health & Social Care, first aid)
6. Training (manual handling, safeguarding, infection control, medication administration)
7. References

Qualifications That Add Value

• Care Certificate (mandatory for new starters)
• Level 2/3 Diploma in Health & Social Care (QCF)
• Level 2 Award in Safeguarding Adults
• Medication Administration Training
• Manual Handling Certificate
• Dementia Awareness Training
• End-of-Life Care Training
• Food Hygiene Certificate (for roles involving meal preparation)