How to prepare for a care assistant interview (and spot red flags)

How to prepare for a care assistant interview (and spot red flags) | PlainSight | PlainSight

You have the interview. You need the job. But you are nervous.

Care home interviews are not like other job interviews. They are less about your CV and more about your character and safety. They are also your only chance to spot if the home is toxic before you sign a contract.

What documents do I need to bring to a care interview?

You must bring the right ID or they cannot legally hire you. Care homes are strict about this because of DBS (criminal record) checks. Do not rely on digital copies on your phone; bring physical papers.

Document Type	Examples (Bring Originals)
Photo ID (Essential)	Passport or Driving Licence (Full or Provisional)
Proof of Address 1	Utility bill (Gas/Elec/Water) dated within 3 months
Proof of Address 2	Bank Statement or Council Tax letter (different to above)
Right to Work	Share code (if non-UK) or British Passport
Qualifications	NVQ/BTEC Certificates (if you have them)

How do I check the care home rating before you go?

Never walk into an interview blind. You must check the CQC (Care Quality Commission) rating. This takes 30 seconds and saves you years of stress.

Go to cqc.org.uk
Type in the care home's name
Look for the rating: 'Outstanding', 'Good', 'Requires Improvement', or 'Inadequate'

If it is 'Inadequate', cancel the interview. If it is 'Requires Improvement', ask them in the interview: "I saw your CQC report. What changes have you made since the inspection?" Their answer will tell you if they are honest or defensive.

How do I answer care interview questions using the STAR method?

Care managers love 'scenario' questions. They want to know what you *did*, not just what you *think*. Use the STAR method to structure your answers so you don't ramble.

Situation: Briefly explain the problem.
Task: What did you have to do?
Action: What did YOU specifically do? (The most important part).
Result: What was the happy ending?

Example Question: Tell me about a time you handled a difficult situation

Weak Answer	Strong STAR Answer
I am good at dealing with stress. I just stay calm and carry on with my work.	Situation: A resident with dementia became aggressive during lunch. Action: I kept my voice low, removed dangerous objects, and guided other residents away. I used distraction techniques we learned in training. Result: The resident calmed down and nobody was hurt.

What are the most common care assistant interview questions?

Prepare your answers for these five questions. They come up in 90 percent of interviews.

Why do you want to work in care? (Focus on making a difference and your long term career progression).
What is Safeguarding? (Key answer: Protecting people's health, wellbeing, and human rights, and acting to prevent harm).
What would you do if a colleague was rude to a resident? (Zero tolerance: Report it immediately to the manager).
How do you handle reliability? (Mention you have reliable transport/childcare).
Give an example of preserving dignity. (Mention closing curtains, covering up while washing, or asking for consent).

What red flags should I look for in a care interview?

You are interviewing them too. If you spot these warning signs, be very careful.

Is it a red flag if they ask for an immediate start?

If they ask "Can you start tonight?" before your DBS is back, they are breaking the law. It means they are desperate and unsafe.

What does inclusive of holiday pay mean?

If they say pay is £13.50 "inclusive of holiday pay", your real rate is only £12.05. Always ask for the base rate and check if they offer anything above Statutory Sick Pay.

Why should I ask to see the rota?

Ask to see a blank rota. If they refuse, or if you see people working 7 days in a row, run. It usually means they are understaffed and you will struggle to get your legal rest breaks.

Should I get shadow shifts?

You should get 3 to 5 supernumerary shadow shifts. If they throw you in solo on Day 1, they don't care about safety.

Do care homes pay for the DBS check?

Good employers pay the £40 DBS fee. Bad employers deduct it from your first wage.

What does 'we are like a family' really mean?

This is often code for "we expect you to work unpaid overtime and not complain".

How do I check the staff turnover rate?

Ask: "How many staff have left in the last 6 months?" If they can't answer, or if the number is high, the culture is toxic.

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