Care Assistant – Washington, Sunderland, UK | Sponsorship Available

Here's the detail that matters most before you read any further: this role's sponsorship offer is tied to already being local. Hales Homecare is explicit that applicants need to currently live in or around Sunderland, in their own accommodation, with their own vehicle and driving licence already in hand. If you're applying from overseas hoping for a relocation-style sponsorship package, this isn't that — it's sponsorship support for someone who has already established themselves in the area and meets the Skilled Worker Visa route's eligibility criteria.

That caveat aside, this is a genuine, well-established opening. Hales Homecare has been delivering home care since 1999, and the North East branch covering this Washington/Gateshead patch holds a CQC rating of "Good" across every inspection category — Caring, Effective, Responsive, Safe, and Well-led — as of its most recent inspection.

Your Role as a Care Assistant

You'll support people across Washington and the surrounding Sunderland and Gateshead postcodes to continue living independently and comfortably in their own homes. Day to day, that means:

• Assisting with personal care routines — washing, dressing, toileting
• Supporting medication administration and meal preparation
• Helping with light domestic tasks and grocery needs
• Providing companionship and emotional support

No prior care experience is required — Hales draws people in from hospitality, retail, and customer service backgrounds regularly, and backs that up with a paid, structured induction through their Internal Training Team.

Pay, Contract & Location

• Pay: £13.20 per hour, plus mileage at £0.30/mile and travel time paid at £12.71/hour
• Contract type: Full time, 4-on-3-off shift pattern with alternate weekends
• Shifts: 7am–3pm or 3pm–11pm
• Location: Based out of Washington, covering SR1, SR2, NE9 7, NE36 0, NE37 1–3, NE38 0/7/8/9, DH4 7, and DH3 1

Benefits

• Guaranteed hours and paid travel time between visits
• Generous 30p/mile mileage allowance
• Early pay access through Hastee
• Free Blue Light Card — discounts across 15,000+ retailers
• Refer-a-friend bonus up to £517
• Monthly, quarterly, and annual recognition awards (Hales Heroes, Hales Care Annual Awards)
• Enhanced bank holiday pay rates
• Cycle and car salary sacrifice schemes
• Pension scheme and subsidised insurance
• Free uniform and PPE
• Well-being programme: up to 10 funded therapy sessions, 24/7 telephone support from health and legal professionals, plus a dedicated well-being app
• Funded qualifications and apprenticeships, with clear progression to Senior Carer, Team Leader, or management roles

Sponsorship & Eligibility

• Hales holds a Sponsor Licence and has this role open under the Skilled Worker Visa route — but only for applicants who already meet the following, all at once:
  • Eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa
  • Full access to your own vehicle and a valid international or UK driving licence
  • Already residing in or around Sunderland, in your own accommodation
  • Able to travel to care packages across Washington and the surrounding area
• Enhanced DBS check and reference verification required
• Flexible working patterns (weekends, evenings, part-time) may be available for the right candidate — worth raising directly if the standard shift pattern doesn't fit

How to Apply

Applying takes you to the Hales Care Recruitment Page for a short registration step — the listing describes this as secure and necessary to progress your application.