Recruitment FAQs

Looking for more information about working in care, our interview process and training opportunities? Take a look at our frequently asked questions below.


  • Call - 03330 139 921 between the hours of Monday - Thursday, 9am - 5pm, and Friday, 9am - 4.30pm. This does not include bank holidays.
  • Email - recruitment@essexcares.org

  • Depending on what role you apply for will depend on what experience you need. Take a look at the relevant job description for the requirements for each role. For our front line Care Assistants roles, no care experience is needed as we provide full training. We look for individuals who share our values and passion to make a positive difference to people’s lives throughout the community.

  • ECL do not currently offer sponsorship to candidates who require support to work in the UK. If you require sponsorship to work in the UK we are unable to consider your application.

  • You will receive an automatic email from our recruitment system. Please check your junk folder if it hasn't come through.

  • You will receive notifications from our recruitment system. Please keep an eye on your emails and check your junk folder on a regular basis for any communication from us.

  • Please check your junk mail. If you're unable to locate your interview invite, please contact our recruitment team.

  • Review the job description, if you need a copy of this, please contact our recruitment team
  • We conduct competency-based interviews relating to our values. When answering competency-based interviews, think of specific examples and consider the STAR technique.

S = Situation – describe the situation
T = Task – explain what needed to be achieved
A = Action – describe what you did to achieve the objective
R = Result/Reflection – what was the outcome of your actions?

Please refer to your interview invite with what information to bring with you. Generally, you should bring:

  • Right to work in the UK documentation (i.e. Passport/share code)
  • Driving licence if you're required to drive for the role you're interviewing for
  • Two forms of proof of address (i.e. a utility bill, bank statement) if you're required to undertake a DBS check for the role you're interviewing for
  • Contact details of your references
  • Any relevant professional qualification certificates if required for the role you're interviewing for

  • Depending on the role you have been offered will depend on what checks we need to undertake before you can start working for ECL. As we are regulated by the CQC, any role that works directly with our customers on a regular basis will require an enhanced DBS which can take 4 weeks or more to clear. If you are signed up for the DBS update service, this could expedite the process. For most of our roles, we require a reference from your most recent or current employer and then supplementary references that cover the last 18 months.

  • Once the manager for the role you interviewed for has called you to offer you a position, our recruitment team will send you a conditional offer. We will ask you to formally accept the offer in writing and then start to conduct your pre employment checks i.e. references and DBS if required. Once all checks have been completed and a start date is arranged, you will be invited to complete your onboarding where you will be able view your contract of employment and update any information as required.

  • After you've been offered, a dedicated member of the recruitment team will guide you through right up until you start with us

  • ECL provide care and support to thousands of people to live safely and independently within their own homes and local communities in South East England, providing high quality care to older people, adults receiving reablement services, adults with learning disabilities and people with sight and hearing impairment. We also provide the Reablement service to West Sussex (since 2012) and Havering (since 2019). For more information on how our services support the communities we serve, take a look at our latest impact report.

  • For most of our roles a valid driving licence and access to your own vehicle for work purposes is essential. However, some of our day centres will employ individuals without. Take a look at our vacancies near you and see if any of these centres are recruiting. If you're learning to drive or saving up for your own car, we can keep you in our talent pool so that when this happens we can progress your application.

  • As well as our list of formal staff benefits, available in more detail here, working for ECL brings a real sense of job satisfaction and pride.

  • At ECL, we are committed to providing the highest possible level of care and customer service. For our front line Care Assistant roles, we provide a full paid induction which is a combination of eLearning and classroom training. Our eLearning modules include topics such as the Mental Capacity Act, PPE, Safeguarding, and much more. Our classroom training includes Moving & Handling, Basic Life Support, Medication Awareness, and Catheter Care.
  • You'll receive ongoing support including shadowing an experience member of your team to ensure you are confident in the job you're doing.
  • There is even opportunities for you to undertake formal qualifications such as, NVQs or QCFs. If you want to progress in your career, we are more than happy to support you with that. Our dedicated learning and development team have a number of courses that all staff can take advantage of to help them move forward in their profession.

  • Absolutely! If you're employed by ECL and refer a friend who is then employed because of your referral, you could be eligible to receive up to £1,500 (subject to terms, conditions, and change)

  • Yes, we pay 45p per mile for all staff up to a yearly maximum of 10,000 miles.

  • Full PPE is provided to and must be worn by all front line care staff when interacting with our customers. It is not a legal requirement for care staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19, but staff should be aware they could be supporting customers who have or have had Covid-19.

  • If you need to reset your password, please click here. If you are still unable to access the system, contact our recruitment team.

Got other questions? No problem!

Our friendly in-house recruitment team are always happy to help