Community Care Assistant
Routes Healthcare
£14.24–£15.07 per hour
Newcastle Upon Tyne, North East, NE12 8UT
Full time, part time, contract
The Breakroom Take
- Respectful managers
- Proper training
About Routes Healthcare
Routes Healthcare is provides health and social care services in the North of England.
Job description from Routes Healthcare
Community Care Assistant - A car and valid driving licence are essential for this role
Pay Rate: £14.24 - £15.07 per hour (including holiday pay) + 30 pence per mile
Location: Longbenton, Wallsend and Forest Hall - You must be open to travelling across all 3 areas.
IMPORTANT: Unfortunately, Routes are unable to offer a job to anyone who does not have the right to work in the UK or needs employer sponsorship.
About Us
Routes Healthcare is a leading homecare provider - we are a care company, not an agency. We're real people who put individual healthcare needs first. We support people in their own homes (not in care homes) and out in the community, taking the time to listen to our clients and making sure their needs are met with care and consideration.
About the Role
This is a homecare position - you'll be travelling to clients' homes throughout the day to provide person-centered care and support. The hours available are 7am - 3pm or 3pm - 10pm
What You'll Be Doing:
- Visiting vulnerable and palliative clients in their own homes
- Providing personal care with dignity and respect
- Supporting with medication management
- Assisting with meal preparation and nutrition
- Working solo or as part of a 2-person team depending on client needs
- Supporting clients with a variety of different care requirements
- Travelling between client visits throughout your shift
We provide homecare in various locations across Newcastle
What Makes This Different:
We are committed to making lives better 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - not only for the people we support but their loved ones and family members too.
Shift Patterns & Hours
Flexibility to suit your life:
- Full-time and part-time hours available
- Monthly pay
- Range of shifts available Monday to Sunday (weekend availability required)
- Shifts allocated based on business needs and your availability
- Once committed to a shift, we need you to complete the full shift reliably
Speak to the recruitment team to hear about our shift patterns and find what fits your lifestyle.
What We Offer
Career Development:
- Routes Academy programme helping you achieve your goals
- Ongoing training and progression opportunities
Support:
- Dedicated on-call team available 24/7
- Wellbeing and mental health support
- We don't use agency staff - you'll work alongside employed Routes care workers only
Rewards:
- £14.24 - £15.07 per hour (includes holiday pay)
- 30 pence per mile for travel between clients
- Staff referral scheme with generous incentives (up to £250 per referral)
What You Need
Essential:
- The right to work in the UK without needing employer sponsorship
- A full valid UK driving licence and access to a car for work
- Reliable, compassionate, and committed to delivering excellent care
Desirable:
- At least 3 months paid care experience in the UK
(Don't have paid experience? Speak to the recruiters about becoming one of our care cadets)
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're passionate about supporting people in their own homes and want the flexibility to build a schedule that works for you, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and speak to our friendly recruitment team about the hours and areas available.
Routes Healthcare is committed to making lives better through exceptional homecare services.
Job insights from Breakroom
Care workers and assistants
Care workers and assistants help support people in their daily lives to live as independently as possible
What you’ll do as a care worker/assistant:
- Help with social or physical activities
- Household tasks, like cleaning and washing
- Support by preparing food, and providing help with eating and other tasks like bathing and getting dressed
- Check and monitor health and help with medication
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Heavy lifting
- Helping with personal care
- Physical activity
- Emotionally demanding duties
- Wearing a uniform
- Night work
- Long hours
- Anti-social hours
- Cleaning
- Working alone
What employees say
Pay
-
Good
-
Most people are paid a living wage
Do Routes Healthcare pay healthcare assistants enough to live on?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
83% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 6 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £13.45 per hour, and £14.80 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
-
Most people are paid market rates
Do Routes Healthcare pay healthcare assistants market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
71% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
71% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Routes Healthcare pay healthcare assistants sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
86% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
At a minimum, everyone is entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from the government. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
-
The job sometimes spills into unpaid time
Do healthcare assistants jobs at Routes Healthcare spill into time they aren’t paid for?
Sometimes. The job can spill into unpaid time.
How we know this
57% of people report that their job takes up time that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
-
Okay
-
Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do healthcare assistants get of their shift pattern at Routes Healthcare?
Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 29% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 14% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 0% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 57% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Okay
-
Some people worry about their hours
Do healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
43% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Good
-
Most people get a choice of shifts
Do healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
83% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 6 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
-
Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
57% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for healthcare assistants to book a holiday at Routes Healthcare?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
71% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Good
-
Shifts don’t get changed at short notice
Do Routes Healthcare managers change healthcare assistants shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
83% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 6 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
-
Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for healthcare assistants to take sick leave at Routes Healthcare?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
50% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 6 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Needs improving
-
People work a lot more hours than their contract
Do healthcare assistants work the same number they are contracted for at Routes Healthcare?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
100% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
Workplace
-
Okay
-
Only some people feel treated with respect
Do healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
50% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 6 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get proper breaks
Do healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare get proper breaks?
Most people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
100% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
-
Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for healthcare assistants to work at Routes Healthcare?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
71% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
-
Only some people enjoy their job
Do healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
43% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Okay
-
Only some people recommend their team
Do healthcare assistants at Routes Healthcare recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
57% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Good
-
Most people get enough training
Do healthcare assistants get enough training when they start at Routes Healthcare?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
86% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
-
Only some people get support to progress
Are healthcare assistants given support to progress at Routes Healthcare?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 60% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 5 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
-
Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do healthcare assistants think Routes Healthcare head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
100% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 6 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do healthcare assistants feel well informed about how Routes Healthcare is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
86% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 7 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between August 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Routes Healthcare employees say about their job
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Best thing
Clients and fellow care staff
Worst thing
Management is extremely toxic, never listen, they breach staff's privacy and time to rest all the time
Report this reviewComplex care assistant at Routes Healthcare, October 2025
-
Best thing
Hard but rewarding
Worst thing
Unsociable hours
Report this reviewCommunity carer at Routes Healthcare, March 2022
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