As an interview coach with over 25 years of experience, I’ve seen first-hand how crucial the Senior Carer position is in shaping the lives of elderly residents and the reputation of a care provider. At Maria Mallaband Care Group (MMCG), a Senior Carer plays a pivotal role in leading care teams, ensuring compassionate, high-quality service, and supporting both residents and families with dignity and respect. The role is far more than day-to-day support; it is about leadership, safeguarding, and creating an environment where vulnerable individuals can thrive.
The job description typically includes supervising junior carers, monitoring residents’ care plans, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, and liaising with healthcare professionals. A Senior Carer must demonstrate empathy, communication, leadership, and strong decision-making skills. At MMCG, salaries for Senior Carers are competitive, often ranging between £12.00 – £14.00 per hour, with opportunities for overtime and career progression into management. This makes the position not only rewarding emotionally, but also a solid step in long-term career development in health and social care.
When preparing for this interview, it is vital to anticipate the types of questions MMCG is likely to ask. Below I’ve outlined 25 interview questions and answers, structured with examples using the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result), alongside additional advice, do’s and don’ts, and coaching tips to help you stand out.
Sample opening interview questions and answers
1. Tell me about yourself.
A classic opener. Keep your answer professional and relevant to the role.
Answer: “I have over seven years of experience in health and social care, beginning as a Care Assistant before progressing into more senior responsibilities. I’ve always been motivated by ensuring residents feel safe, valued, and respected. In my most recent role, I supervised a team of eight carers, ensuring high standards of personal care, timely medication administration, and positive team morale. I am now excited about the opportunity to bring my leadership skills to MMCG and contribute to its excellent reputation in elderly care.”
2. What attracted you to apply for a Senior Carer role at MMCG?
Answer: “I am inspired by MMCG’s values of dignity, independence, and quality of life. I admire the emphasis on training and continuous development, which aligns with my own commitment to lifelong learning. I want to join an organisation where I can contribute to both resident wellbeing and the professional growth of my team.”
Competency-based interview questions and answers
3. Describe a time you dealt with a challenging behaviour from a resident.
STAR answer: “In my previous role (Situation), I supported a resident living with dementia who often became anxious and resistant to personal care (Task). I remained calm and used validation techniques, speaking softly and offering reassurance (Action). Over time, this approach built trust and enabled smoother care routines (Result).”
4. Tell me about a time you managed a conflict between staff members.
Answer: “A disagreement arose between two carers about workload distribution. I listened to both sides, acknowledged their concerns, and facilitated a team discussion. Together we agreed a rota adjustment that ensured fairness and avoided future disputes. Both staff members later thanked me for my balanced approach.”
5. How do you ensure care plans are followed accurately?
Answer: “I conduct regular checks, provide guidance, and encourage open communication. For example, during one shift I noticed a care plan detail had been overlooked. I used it as a teaching opportunity rather than criticism, which improved compliance and confidence among the team.”
Further Senior Carer interview questions and suggested answers
6. How do you prioritise tasks on a busy shift?
“I assess immediate resident needs, health and safety issues, and staff availability. For example, when faced with multiple tasks, I delegated routine responsibilities to team members while focusing personally on urgent resident care and medication administration.”
7. Describe your experience with medication administration.
“I am fully trained and experienced in safe medication handling. I always follow the five rights—right person, right medication, right dose, right route, right time—and document each step accurately.”
8. How do you support residents with dementia?
“I focus on personalised care, using reminiscence techniques, clear communication, and patience. I also support staff with dementia awareness training to ensure consistency across the team.”
9. How would you support a new Care Assistant in your team?
“I’d provide shadowing opportunities, regular feedback, and encouragement. For instance, I once mentored a new starter who lacked confidence in moving and handling; after coaching and reassurance, they became one of the strongest team members.”
10. What steps would you take if you suspected a safeguarding issue?
“I would follow the safeguarding policy immediately, ensuring the resident’s safety, documenting observations, and reporting to the appropriate manager or safeguarding lead without delay.”
11. How do you maintain accurate documentation?
“I complete records contemporaneously, ensuring detail, clarity, and compliance with GDPR. I also encourage colleagues to see documentation as part of quality care, not just administration.”
12. What motivates you in care work?
“The ability to improve someone’s quality of life and empower independence is incredibly motivating. I also thrive on leading and supporting teams to achieve the highest standards.”
13. How do you handle stress at work?
“I remain calm, use time management strategies, and focus on teamwork. During a staff shortage, I led by example, ensuring essential care tasks were met while supporting staff morale.”
14. How do you communicate with residents’ families?
“With openness, empathy, and professionalism. For example, I reassured a concerned family by providing clear updates on their loved one’s progress, which built trust and confidence.”
15. What would you do if a team member consistently underperformed?
“I’d provide constructive feedback, identify training needs, and monitor progress. If no improvement occurred, I’d escalate appropriately while maintaining fairness.”
16. How do you encourage dignity and independence in residents?
“By involving residents in choices, respecting preferences, and supporting them to do as much as possible for themselves, even if it takes longer.”
17. How do you ensure infection control standards are met?
“I follow and enforce policies such as PPE use, hand hygiene, and regular audits. I also provide refreshers to ensure staff don’t become complacent.”
18. What qualities make a good Senior Carer?
“Leadership, empathy, communication, adaptability, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.”
19. How do you manage end-of-life care?
“With compassion, respect, and sensitivity to both the resident and their family. I ensure comfort, dignity, and clear communication with healthcare professionals.”
20. Tell me about a time you improved a process in your care role.
STAR answer: “I noticed handover notes were inconsistent (Situation). I suggested a structured template (Task). I piloted the change, trained staff, and implemented it (Action). This improved accuracy and reduced missed information (Result).”
21. How do you support equality and diversity?
“By respecting cultural, religious, and personal preferences in all aspects of care. I also encourage inclusive practice within the team.”
22. How do you handle an emergency situation?
“I stay calm, follow procedures, and delegate roles clearly. For instance, when a resident fell, I ensured immediate first aid, called emergency services, reassured others, and completed an incident report.”
23. What would you do if you disagreed with a manager’s decision?
“I would raise my concerns respectfully, presenting evidence or alternative suggestions. If the decision stood, I’d support it professionally while keeping residents’ best interests at the forefront.”
24. Where do you see yourself in five years?
“I aspire to continue growing within MMCG, ideally progressing into a Deputy Manager role, building on my leadership experience.”
25. Do you have any questions for us?
Strong options include:
“What opportunities are available for training and progression within MMCG?”
“How do you support staff wellbeing and work-life balance?”
Using the STAR model effectively
The STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is essential for structuring strong competency answers. Always set the scene briefly, describe your responsibility, explain clearly what you did, and finish with the outcome. Practising this method helps you stay concise, confident, and impactful.
Do’s and don’ts in a Senior Carer interview
Do:
Research MMCG’s values and care standards.
Prepare specific STAR examples from your past roles.
Show genuine empathy and leadership potential.
Ask thoughtful questions at the end.
Don’t:
Overuse generic statements like “I’m a hard worker.”
Speak negatively about previous employers.
Forget to show enthusiasm for the role and organisation.
General interview coaching encouragement and tips
Remember, an interview is a two-way conversation. Be confident, be authentic, and let your passion for care shine through. Practise answers aloud, dress professionally, and arrive prepared with copies of your CV and certificates.
If you want to feel fully confident, I recommend investing in interview training with a professional interview coach. Whether through interview coaching online or one-to-one interview coaching, targeted job interview preparation can transform your performance.
With over 25 years of experience helping candidates succeed, I know the difference preparation makes. The Senior Carer role at MMCG is a rewarding opportunity, and with the right support, you can present yourself as the best candidate.
If you’re ready to take the next step, book an appointment with me today for personalised interview coaching. Together, we’ll ensure you walk into your MMCG Senior Carer interview with confidence and clarity.
