Why Do Carers Choose SW Care?

If you are wondering why work for SW Care, the answer starts with how we treat our team. We are a Real Living Wage Employer, a CQC Rated Good provider, and part of a Top 20 Home Care Group 2025. But those are just the headlines. What really sets us apart is the everyday experience of working here — the fair pay, the genuine training, the flexible hours, and the team culture that makes people stay.

View all our latest carer job openings and find a role that suits you.

Since 2018, we have built a team of dedicated carers across Cheltenham and the wider Gloucestershire area who consistently deliver outstanding care. Our families rate us 9.8/10 on homecare.co.uk from 121 verified family reviews. That standard of care starts with how well we look after our own people.

This page explains exactly what you can expect when you join our team. No vague promises — just the real picture.

Browse our current care vacancies to see what roles are available.

Living Wage Employer — Fair Pay Guaranteed

Let us start with money, because it matters.

We are a Real Living Wage Employer. That is not the government’s National Living Wage — it is the independently calculated rate set by the Living Wage Foundation, based on what people actually need to live on. It is higher, and we are committed to it.

On top of the Living Wage, you receive paid travel time between client visits and mileage reimbursement for every mile driven. Many care companies pay the minimum wage and nothing else. We think carers deserve better.

Your financial package includes:

• Real Living Wage — guaranteed
• Paid travel time between calls
• Mileage reimbursement
• 28 days paid holiday (pro rata)
• Workplace pension scheme
• Statutory sick pay from day one
• DBS check fully funded
• Blue Light Card eligibility

> “I moved from an agency that paid minimum wage and nothing for travel. At SW Care, the Living Wage plus paid travel and mileage means I am actually earning what I deserve.” — Claire, Care Assistant, Cheltenham

We believe that paying carers properly is not a perk — it is a basic requirement. You should never have to choose between doing a job you love and being able to pay your bills at the end of the month.

Training That Actually Develops Your Career

We do not just throw you in at the deep end. Every new carer receives a thorough, fully paid induction programme before their first solo visit. Your first two weeks are dedicated to learning the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need.

Your training pathway includes:

• Two-week paid induction — classroom learning and shadowing experienced carers
• The Care Certificate — 15 nationally recognised standards completed in your first 12 weeks
• Dementia Friends training — delivered in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society
• Moving and handling certification
• Medication administration training
• First aid qualification
• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care — fully funded while you work
• NVQ Level 3 — for those progressing into senior or specialist roles

All training is delivered through our Flourish learning platform and in-person sessions right here in Gloucestershire. Every hour is paid.

Career progression is genuine. Several of our current team leaders and senior carers joined us with no care experience at all. We promote from within and actively support people who want to grow. Your career path is not a dead end — it is an open road.

> “I started as a care assistant with no qualifications. SW Care put me through my Care Certificate, then my NVQ Level 2, and now I am working towards my Level 3 as a Senior Carer. They genuinely invest in their people.” — Rashida, Senior Carer, GL51

Flexible Hours That Fit Your Life

One of the most common reasons people come to SW Care is flexibility. We understand that life does not fit neatly around a nine-to-five schedule.

We offer morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts. Whether you want full-time hours, part-time work around school runs, or evening and weekend shifts alongside studies, we will work with you to find a pattern that suits your life.

Flexibility at SW Care means:

• Choose the shifts and hours that work for you
• Local rounds — work close to where you live
• Consistent clients — build real relationships rather than seeing strangers every day
• Advance scheduling — know your rota ahead of time
• No zero-hour contracts — you always know where you stand

We also offer live-in carer roles for those who want a completely different working pattern — two weeks on, two weeks off, with free accommodation included. There is genuinely something for everyone.

> “As a single mum, I needed a job that worked around the school run. SW Care gave me morning shifts that finish in time for pick-up. I have never had that flexibility before.” — Jade, Care Assistant, GL51

A Supportive Team That Has Your Back

Care work can be emotionally demanding. That is why we have built a support structure that ensures you never feel alone.

Every carer at SW Care has a named manager who knows you personally. You receive regular supervisions — not just tick-box exercises, but genuine conversations about how you are doing, what support you need, and where you want your career to go.

Our management team is available 24/7. Whether it is 2:00 PM or 2:00 AM, if you need guidance, reassurance, or help with a difficult situation, someone is always at the end of the phone.

We also run regular team events, training days, and social gatherings. We celebrate achievements, mark milestones, and look out for each other. This is not a faceless agency where you are just a number — it is a close-knit team.

What support looks like in practice:

• Named manager for every carer
• Regular one-to-one supervisions
• 24/7 on-call management support
• Team socials and recognition events
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Buddy system for new starters

> “My manager Sarah actually knows me. She checks in, she listens, and she acts. After working for two agencies where I never even met my supervisor, this feels like a completely different world.” — Kevin, Care Worker, Cheltenham

Award-Winning Company

We are proud to have been named in the Top 20 Home Care Groups nationally by homecare.co.uk in 2025. This award is based entirely on verified family reviews — real feedback from the people our carers support every day.

We are also CQC Rated Good across all areas. The Care Quality Commission inspects care providers independently and rigorously. A Good rating means our governance, safeguarding, training, and standards are all where they should be.

When you work for an award-winning company, it means:

• You can be genuinely proud of where you work
• The company is well-managed and properly regulated
• Your training and development meet national standards
• Families trust you because they trust us
• You are part of something with a strong reputation

We have been supporting families since 2018, and we continue to grow because we get the fundamentals right — looking after our carers so they can look after their clients.

What Our Carers Say

Do not just take our word for it. Here is what our team members say about working at SW Care.

> “I left nursing because I was burned out. SW Care gave me back the joy of caring. The hours are flexible, the pay is fair, and the team genuinely supports you. I wish I had found them sooner.” — Emma, Care Assistant, Leckhampton

> “I came from retail with zero care experience. SW Care trained me properly, paid me during training, and matched me with amazing clients. Now I am working towards my NVQ Level 2 and I completely love it.” — Darren, Care Assistant, Prestbury

> “What makes SW Care different is that they actually deliver on what they promise. Living Wage — real. Flexible hours — real. Support when you need it — real. I have been here three years and I am not going anywhere.” — Maria, Senior Carer, GL50

We also cover costs that many providers pass on to staff. Enhanced DBS checks are fully funded by SW Care. Vehicle insurance for carers using their own cars during visits is covered by the company. Uniforms, PPE and hand sanitiser are all provided at no cost. These are real financial benefits that add up over time and demonstrate that we value the people who deliver our care.

Our team is diverse, welcoming, and inclusive. We actively recruit people from all backgrounds, ages, and walks of life. Whether you are 18 or 65, experienced or brand new, from any background — if you have compassion and a willingness to learn, there is a place for you.

Ready to Join Us?

If what you have read sounds like the kind of employer you have been looking for, we would love to hear from you. We are permanently recruiting across Cheltenham and the surrounding area.

No experience or qualifications needed to apply. Just bring your compassion, reliability, and enthusiasm — we will take care of the rest through our paid training programme.

Browse our current care vacancies or go straight to apply today.

Prefer to talk first? Call our recruitment team on 07400 098 363 or email care@swcare.co.uk. We are happy to answer any questions and have an informal chat about what working here is really like. Send an email:

SW Domiciliary Care Ltd Harley House, 29 Cambray Place, Cheltenham, GL50 1JN CQC Rated Good | Top 20 Home Care Group 2025 | Real Living Wage Employer

What Cheltenham Families Say

Families across Cheltenham tell us the same thing: they needed support they could rely on, from people who genuinely understand their situation.

Rated 9.8 out of 10 on homecare.co.uk with over 121 verified family reviews, SW Care is one of the most trusted home care providers in the area. We are CQC Rated Good across all five inspection categories and recognised as a Top 20 Home Care Group in the 2025 Awards.

Every carer holds the Care Certificate (all 15 core standards), has an enhanced DBS check, and completes ongoing training through our Flourish learning platform. We invest in ongoing training and development covering dementia care, palliative care, moving and handling, and medication administration.

We have supported 100s of families since 2018. Our Registered Manager oversees every care plan, and our office at Harley House, 29 Cambray Place, Cheltenham is always open for families who want to talk face to face.