Helpful explanations of

ƒƒ Weights and measures

ƒƒ 12 and 24 hour clocks
ƒƒ Temperature
And more, all in one handy booklet!

E
PL
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Skills for Care

West Gate,
Grace Street,
Leeds
LS1 2RP

telephone 0113 245 1716

fax 0113 243 6417
email [email protected]
web www.skillsforcare.org.uk

© Skills for Care 2011

Ref: DS022
Using
numbers
in care
work

E
ml
PL

M


SA

Part of the Learning through Work series

 E
PL
M
Using numbers in care work - Part of the ‘Learning through Work’ series (2011)
Published by Skills for Care, West Gate, 6 Grace Street, Leeds LS1 2RP
SA

www.skillsforcare.org.uk
© Skills for Care 2011 Ref: DS022
This is a priced publication and must not be copied or reproduced in any way without
the express permission of the publisher.
Skills for Care is the employer-led strategic body for workforce development in social
care for adults in England. It is part of the sector skills council, Skills for Care and
Development.
This work was researched and written by Alexander Braddell, working to a
commission from Skills for Care.
Bibliographic reference data for Harvard-style author/date referencing system:
Short reference: SfC 2011 (DS022)
Long reference: Using numbers in care work - Part of the ‘Learning through
Work’ series, (Leeds, 2011) www.skillsforcare.org.uk (DS022)
Contents
1. Numbers in care work
2. Confidence matters
3. Keeping records
4. Filling in charts

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5. UK measures
6. Metric system
7.
8.
9.
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Metric  imperial
Manual handling
Days and dates
10. Months
M
11. Datemarks
12. The 12 hour clock
13. The 24 hour clock
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14. Clock table: 12  24

15. How to calculate time (1)
16. How to calculate time (2)
17. Temperature
18. Thermometers
19. Useful temperatures
20. Pay
21. Quiz
Using this booklet
Numbers play a vital role in care work today, so
it’s helpful to feel confident using them.

This booklet covers:

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ƒƒ Record keeping
ƒƒ Measures
PL
ƒƒ 12 and 24 hour clocks
ƒƒ Temperature... and more
M
The booklet is divided into topics (one per page).
It is designed for busy people – each topic can
be read in less than three minutes.
SA

You will find learning questions to discuss and

also things you can do to learn more.
Use the booklet to develop your knowledge,
skills and confidence about using numbers at
work.
How to use this booklet
ƒƒ Find a couple of colleagues
ƒƒ Read a topic together

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ƒƒ Agree what it means
ƒƒ Discuss how it relates to your own work
PL
ƒƒ See if your supervisor or manager agrees
ƒƒ Decide how you can use what you have
learned to improve the quality of care
M
Talking with colleagues is the key
The moment you start talking about something,
you’re thinking about it.
SA

Once you start thinking about it, you’re learning.

Tip Start with a topic that interests you.

Don’t feel pressured – learn at your own pace
and remember what they say:
Days that make us happy, make us wise!
1. Numbers in care work
We use numbers at work in many ways:
ƒƒ Daily care tasks
ƒƒ Monitoring changes in people’s health and
well-being (to support care planning)

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ƒƒ Admin for our employer

Most of these tasks involve some kind of

PL
measurement. Many require us to record a
number. Some involve calculations.

Measurement
M
We measure a thing to know how much of it
there is. Measuring things allows us to ask and
SA

answer this sort of question:

ƒƒ How far is it from a to b?
ƒƒ Has this person lost or gained weight?
ƒƒ How much water does this glass hold?
ƒƒ Is this room warm enough?
ƒƒ When did this happen?
ƒƒ How long does it take to do this?
ƒƒ How much have I earned this month?
Things we measure
ƒƒ Length, height, distance
ƒƒ Weight, mass

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ƒƒ Fluid volume / capacity
ƒƒ Pressure
ƒƒ Time PL
ƒƒ Heat / cold
ƒƒ Money
M
Typical calculations
ƒƒ Deciding which of two glasses holds more
SA

ƒƒ Doing a fluid balance chart

ƒƒ Completing a financial transaction sheet
ƒƒ Working out if you've time to do a task

Learning questions
In your job, what measures do you work with?
What numbers must you record?
What calculations do you do?
2. Confidence matters
How we feel affects how we learn.
How confident do you feel about using
numbers?

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Learning builds confidence
Many of us lack confidence with numbers. We
PL
feel anxious about things that involve numbers.
Some of us feel we just can't do numbers.

That sort of anxiety saps our confidence. The

M
less confident we feel, the harder it is to learn.

This booklet will help you learn

SA

about the numbers you use

at work. Learning will make
you feel more confident.

Feeling more confident

will help you learn – and go on
learning.
Learning tips

Value your learning – numbers are important.

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Learn with colleagues – talk about what
you’re doing. Encourage each other.
PL
It’s OK to make mistakes, you can learn from
them.

When you want extra help, go to people who are

M
patient and encouraging, not critical.
SA

Practise what you learn!

Learning question
How exactly will you practise what you learn?
3. Keeping records
Record keeping is a vital part of care work.
Numbers play a key role in many records.
Indeed, lots of records consist only of numbers,
e.g. a time, a date and a quantity.

E
Why keep records?
PL
Care work is a partnership between people
working in different places, at different times.
Everyone involved needs up-to-date, accurate
and detailed information, particularly about the
M
health and well-being of the people we care for.
The records we keep provide that information.
SA

Many of the records we keep are so important

that they are required by regulation and law.
Things to know about the records you keep
ƒƒ Exactly what information is required
ƒƒ Where to write the information

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ƒƒ How to write it (e.g. in black ink)
ƒƒ Any special requirements (e.g. use the 24
PL
hour clock when writing times)
It is also a good idea to know
ƒƒ Who needs it and why
ƒƒ How confidential it is
M
Learn more
If you and your colleagues don’t know all the
SA

above about the records you keep, ask your

manager.
4. Filling in charts
Many records are collected on charts.

Here are three examples:

Financial transaction record sheet

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Date Money Receipt Money Signature
received total returned
24/4/12 £25.00
PL£19.78 £5.22 D.Brollin

Bowel chart
M
Date Time Amount Type Initials
12/5/12 15.30 small Type 4 D.B.
SA

Fluid balance chart

Intake (mls) Output (mls)
Time Oral / Type Total Urine Vomit Other Total
08.00 230ml / 230ml
tea
09.00 200ml / 430ml 150ml 150ml
water
How charts work
Charts have rows and columns.
Rows go across: 

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Columns go down: 
Here is how it works on the fluid balance chart.
PL
Each column has heading at the top.
In the boxes below Oral / type we put the
amount and type of fluid drunk.
Each row has a heading on the left side.
M
Entries for 8.00 o'clock go in the 08.00 row etc.
columns go down
SA

     

rows go Time Oral / Type Total Urine Vomit Oth

across  08.00

 09.00

 10.00

Top tip
If you are at all uncertain how to fill in a chart,
ask your manager.
5. UK measures
In the UK we now mostly use metric units.
We do, however, still use some imperial
units as well.

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What is a unit?
Every system of measurement is based around
PL
what we call a unit. By unit we mean a fixed
quantity of whatever we are measuring, e.g.
ƒƒ length = the metre (m)
ƒƒ weight = the gram (g)
M
ƒƒ money = the pound (£)
We can divide this unit, e.g. £1 = 100p.
We can multiply it, e.g. 1000 g = 1 kilogram.
SA

The unit is the heart of the system.

Learning questions
At work, do you use metric, imperial or both?
If you use both, what do you measure in metric,
what in imperial?
Which are you more comfortable with – metric or
imperial? What about your colleagues?
What about the people you care for?
At a glance: metric and imperial units

New system = metric Old system = imperial

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Length, height, distance
Metric Imperial
PL
kilometre / metre /
centimetre / millimetre
mile / yard / foot / inch
M
Weight
Metric Imperial
SA

kilogram / gram / stone / pound / ounce

milligram

Fluid volume / capacity

Metric Imperial
litre / centilitre / gallon / quart / pint /
millilitre fluid ounce
6. Metric system
Metric measures are decimal, i.e. based on the
number 10.

Learning question

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There are 10 millimetres in a centimetre.
There are 100 centimetres in a metre.
So – how many millimetres in a metre?
PL
Weight
Unit = gram (g) 500 grams of butter
1g can be divided into 1000 milligrams (mg).
M
1g can also be divided into 1 000 000 micro-
grams (mcg) – a very, very small measure.
SA

One thousand grams make a kilogram (kg).

A level teaspoon of sugar weighs about 4g.

Length / height / distance

Unit = metre (m) She is 1.6 metres tall
1m can be divided into 100 centimetres (cm).
1m can be divided into 1000 millimetres (mm).
A thousand metres make a kilometre (km).
Fluid volume / capacity
Unit = litre (l) a litre of milk
1l is sometimes divided into 100 centilitres (cl).

E
1l is often divided into 1000 millilitres (ml).

Useful metric words

Kilo = 1000
Deci = 1
PL
/10
kilometre, kilogram
decimetre, decilitre
Centi = 1/100 centimetre, centilitre
Milli = 1
/1000 millimetre, millilitre
M
Micro = /1 000 000 microgram
1

Did you know?

SA

The UK changed to a metric money system in

1971. Before 1971, we used pounds, shillings
and pence (£-s-d). There were 12 pennies in
a shilling and 20 shillings in a pound.
Coins included the sixpenny bit,
the florin, the half crown.
There was a ten shilling
note as well as a one
pound note.
7. Metric  imperial
As well as metric measures, some imperial units
of measure are still used in the UK.
Here are the most important, with approximate
metric values.

E
Length/height/distance inch, foot, yard, mile
1 inch (in) PL 25.4 mm / 2.54 cm
12 inches = 1 foot (ft) 305 mm / 30.5 cm
3 ft = 1 yard (yd) 914 mm / 91.4 cm
5,280 ft = 1 mile (m) 1609 m / 1.6 km
M
Weight ounce, pound, stone
1 ounce (oz) 28.4 g
SA

16 oz = 1 pound (lb) 454 g / 0.45 kg

14 lb = 1 stone (st) 6350 g / 6.35 kg

Fluid volume fluid ounce, pint, quart, gallon

1 fluid ounce (fl oz) 28.4 ml
20 fl oz = 1 pint (pt) 568 ml
2 pt = 1 quart (qt) 1136 ml / 1.136 litres
4 qt = 1 gallon (g) 4546 ml / 4.5 litres
Converting measures
Convert measures with a calculator.
One inch equals 25.4 millimetres, so six inches

E
equal six lots of 25.4 millimetres.
To calculate how many millimetres that is, just
PL
multiply 25.4 by the number of inches – in this
case, six.
Inches (in)  millimetres (mm)
x by 25.4 e.g. 6 in x 25.4 = 152.4 mm
M
To do the opposite and convert millimetres into
inches, divide the millimetres by 25.4. Why?
SA

Because there are 25.4 millimetres in one inch.

Millimetres (mm)  inches (in)

÷ by 25.4 e.g. 152 mm ÷ 25.4 = 6 in
8. Manual handling*
For safer moving and placing, first consider
ƒƒ How much the load weighs
ƒƒ How high you want to raise (or lower) it

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ƒƒ How good a grip you can get on it
ƒƒ Whether you will use one hand or two
PL
ƒƒ How close to your body you can hold it
ƒƒ Whether you are standing or sitting, and
ƒƒ If you have to carry it, how far
M
Then consider yourself. Think about
ƒƒ Your size, strength and fitness
SA

ƒƒ Any back, muscle or heart problems

ƒƒ How experienced you are at the task.
Finally, think if it is a one or a two-person job.

*Based on advice from the Health and Safety

Executive, supported by scientific studies.
How much can I move?
Sitting With a good grip, using both hands
ƒƒ Women: 3kg
ƒƒ Men: 5kg

E
(A litre of juice weighs 1kg.)

PL
Standing With a good two-handed grip,
arms close to the body, at waist height
ƒƒ Women: 16kg
ƒƒ Men: 25kg
M
How far can I carry?
For up to 10 metres, held against the body
SA

ƒƒ Women: 13-16kg
ƒƒ Men: 20-25kg

Top tip: Avoid back strain!

Always hold the item as close to your body
as possible, at waist height. As soon as
the item moves away from your
body, a strain is put on
your lower back.
9. Days and dates
Seconds  minutes  hours  day
60 seconds = 1 minute 60 minutes = 1 hour
24 hours = 1 day

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Days  weeks  months  year
7 days = 1 week
PL
52 weeks = 1 year
12 months = 1 year
One quarter = 3 months
M
365 days = 1 year
366 days = leap* year (1 year in 4)
SA

Seven days of the week

Weekdays Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Thursday Friday
Weekend Saturday Sunday

*Did you know?

Earth takes 365 ¼ days to go round sun.
A leap year collects four ‘quarter days’.
Date
By date we mean day-month-year
e.g. 21 April 2011

E
DD-MM-YYYY means 21 - 04 - 2011
DD-MM-YY means 21 - 04 - 11
PL
UK dates are always written day-month-year

dob = date of birth b = born

UK bank holidays
M
ƒƒ New Year's Day in January
ƒƒ Good Friday in March or April
SA

ƒƒ Easter Monday in March or April

ƒƒ Early May Bank Holiday in May
ƒƒ Spring Bank Holiday / Whitsun in May
ƒƒ Summer Bank Holiday in August
ƒƒ Christmas Day in December
ƒƒ Boxing Day in December

Scotland and N. Ireland have one or two extra holidays

10. Months
Twelve months of the year
1. January = 31 days
2. February = 28 days (29 days in a leap year)

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3. March = 31 days (last Sunday, clocks go forward)
4. April = 30 days
5. May = 31 daysPL
6. June = 30 days
7. July = 31 days
8. August = 31 days
M
9. September = 30 days
10. October = 31 days (last Sunday, clocks go back)
SA

11. November = 30 days

12. December = 31 days (Christmas = 25 Dec)

Four seasons
Spring March, April, May
Summer June, July, August
Autumn September, October, November
Winter December, January, February
How many days in the month?
Thirty days hath September
April, June, and November

E
All the rest have thirty-one
Save February, with twenty-eight days clear
PL
And twenty-nine each leap year

How many weeks in a month?

7 days = 1 week 4 weeks = 28 days
M
Most months = four weeks + two or three days
April, June, September, November = 30 days
SA

30 days = 4 weeks (28 days) + 2 days

January, March, May, July, August, October and
December = 31 days
31 days = 4 weeks (28 days) + 3 days
February = 28 days = 4 weeks exactly
11. Datemarks
Most packaged food is marked with a use by or
a best before date.

Use by dates are about food safety.

E
Never eat or serve food after its use by date.
Even if the label says eat within a week of open-
PL
ing, food must not be eaten after its use by date.
It is illegal to sell food after its use by date.

Best before dates are about food quality.

M
Food is better (i.e. more nutritious and/or tasty)
before its best before date, but it is safe to eat
after – except for eggs.
SA

Never eat eggs after their best before date, for

risk of food poisoning from salmonella bacteria.
Best before is also shown as Best before end or
B.B.E.

Did you know?

Sell by/display until dates are for shop staff only.
They say when to remove an item from sale.
Always follow food storage instructions, e.g.
refrigerate, freeze on day of purchase, defrost
thoroughly and use within 24 hours.
Food that is not stored properly may go bad

E
before its use by or best before dates.
Medicine comes with an expiry or discard date
PL
(after which it may no longer be effective) shown
on the side or bottom of the package.
Datemarks may be printed on the package or
stamped into it. They can be hard to see.
M
Typical datemarks:
Day and month e.g. 24Jun 24-6 24.6 24/6
SA

Month and year e.g. Jun2013 6 2013 06/13

Day, month and year e.g. 24.06.13 24Jun13
or 24/6/2013

Learning question
What dates do the datemarks below show?
BBE:21122015 11/2011 Exp26Apr
20122013 BBEnd01/14 12 12 12
12. The 12 hour clock
A traditional clock (or watch) counts 12 hours.
We call this the 12 hour clock.
It divides the day into two parts: before and after
noon (midday). That is why 3.00 can be 3 in the

E
morning or 3 in the afternoon.
To avoid confusion we use A.M. and P.M.
PL
They are written either A.M. / P.M. or a.m. / p.m.

3.00 a.m. = 3 in the morning

3.00 p.m. = 3 in the afternoon
M
8.00 a.m. = 8 in the morning
8.00 p.m. = 8 in the evening
SA

Midnight to 12 noon = a.m.

12 noon to midnight = p.m.

What do A.M. and P.M. stand for?

A.M. stands for ante meridian.
P.M. stands for post meridian.
In Latin, ante = before, meridian = noon
and post = after.
A.M. = before noon. P.M. = after noon
12 midnight
then it’s A.M.
12
A.M. = 12.01 11.59 11 1
in the morning 10 2

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9 A. M. 3
Sleep, get up, breakfast,
kids to school, off to work 8 4
PL
mid morning tea break etc
and soon it’s midday...
7 6 5

12 noon
then it’s P.M.
M
P.M. = 12.01 11.59 12
11 1
at night 10 2
Lunch, afternoon, go 9 P. M. 3
SA

home, sort the kids out, 8 4

evening meal, TV, off to 7 6 5
bed etc and then it’s mid-
night again...
Did you know?
Latin was the language of ancient Rome. Later,
Latin became the language of science in
England and other European countries.
13. The 24 hour clock
There are 24 hours in one day.
The 24 hour clock counts these hours from
midnight to midnight, e.g. midnight Monday-
Tuesday to midnight Tuesday-Wednesday.

E
The 24 hour clock goes from 00.00 (midnight) to
23:59 (one minute to midnight – or 11.59 p.m. in
PL
the 12 hour clock).

24 and 12 hour clock times

00.00 = midnight 00.01 = 12.01 a.m.
M
01.00 =1 a.m. 06.20 = 6.20 a.m.
12.00 = noon (midday) 13.00 = 1 p.m.
SA

18.20 = 6.20 p.m. 22.17 = 10.17 p.m.

Note 24 hour times below ten start with 0 (zero).

Why use the 24 hour clock?

The 24 hour clock makes it impossible to
confuse the hours before noon with the hours
after noon, e.g.
7 in the morning = 07.00
7 in the evening = 19.00.
How to convert between clocks

12  24 hour clock
Add the afternoon time to 12, e.g. if it’s 3 p.m.

E
12 + 3 = 15.00
10 p.m. = 12 + 10 = 22.00
PL
24  12 hour clock
Subtract 12 from the afternoon time, e.g.
15.00 = 15 - 12 = 3.00 p.m.
M
22.00 = 22 - 12 = 10.00 p.m.

Learning questions
SA

Which is used where you work, the 12 or the 24

hour clock – and why?
Which do the people you care for use?
Which do you prefer?
If you have to do a calculation
involving time, is it easier to use
the 12 or 24 hour clock? Why? 22.17
Do your colleagues feel
the same way?
14. Clock table: 12  24
Which is better: the 12 or the 24 hour clock?
Both systems work, if used correctly – and
consistently.
If using the 12 hour clock, make sure you

E
always write a.m. or p.m. (even when it seems
obvious which you mean).
PL
If using the 24 hour clock, make sure you get
the hours right (e.g. don’t write 15.30 when you
mean 17.30).
M
Many employers now favour the 24 hour clock,
but many of the people we care for use the 12
hour clock so it is a good idea to know both.
SA

Top tip
For records and reports, everyone should use
one clock system and stick to it.
Never mix 12 and 24 hour clock times,
particularly in written records and reports. That
could lead to serious confusion.
At-a-glance 12–24 hour clock converter

12 hour 24 hour 12 hour 24 hour

12 midnight = 00.00 12 noon = 12.00

E
1.00 a.m. = 01.00 1.00 p.m. = 13.00
PL
2.00 a.m. = 02.00
3.00 a.m. = 03.00
2.00 p.m. = 14.00
3.00 p.m. = 15.00
4.00 a.m. = 04.00 4.00 p.m. = 16.00
M
5.00 a.m. = 05.00 5.00 p.m. = 17.00
6.00 a.m. = 06.00 6.00 p.m. = 18.00
SA

7.00 a.m. = 07.00 7.00 p.m. = 19.00

8.00 a.m. = 08.00 8.00 p.m. = 20.00
9.00 a.m. = 09.00 9.00 p.m. = 21.00
10.00 a.m. = 10.00 10.00 p.m. = 22.00
11.00 a.m. = 11.00 11.00 p.m. = 23.00
12 noon = 12.00 12 midnight = 00.00
15. How to calculate time (1)

We often do calculations that involve time, e.g.

How much time should I allow for this...?
When do I have to stop doing this?

E
How much time is there between now and 2.20?
Here are some tips to help you answer questions
PL
like these quickly and accurately.

60 mins
1 hour
M
1.0 hr
45 mins
¾ hour 1112 1
SA

0.75 hr 10 2
9 3
15 mins
8 4
7 6 5 ¼ hour
0.25 hr

30 mins
½ hour
0.5 hr
How the hour divides into minutes
Do you know all these useful facts?
1 hour = 60 mins 30 mins = ½ hour

E
15 mins = ¼ hour 45 mins = ¾ hour

3 lots of 5 mins = 15 mins = ¼ hour 5 5 5

PL
4 x 5 mins = 20 mins 5 5 5 5
5 x 5 mins = 25 mins 5 5 5 5 5
6 x 5 mins = 30 mins = ½ hour 5 5 5 5 5 5
M
12 x 5 mins = 60 mins = 1 hour 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

3 lots of 20 mins = 60 mins = 1 hour 20 20 20

SA

6 x 10 mins = 60 mins = 1 hour 10 10 10 10 10 10

4 lots of 15 mins = 60 mins = 1 hour

3 x 15 mins = 45 mins = ¾ hour
2 x 15 mins = 30 mins = ½ hour

Learning question
How many minutes in 0.5 hr?
16. How to calculate time (2)

How long (i.e. how much time) is it from 11.15

a.m. to 1.45 p.m.?
One way to find out is to count on.
11.15 to 12.15 = one hour

E
12.15 to 1.15 = another hour
1.15 to 1.45 = 30 minutes 2 hours 30 mins

11.15 to 12.15
= one hour
PL 12.15 to 1.15
= one hour
1.15 to 1.45
= 30 minutes
12 12
11 11 1 1
M
2
3 3 3 9
SA

In the 24 hour clock

Take 11.15 away from 13.45.
13.45* -
11.15
2.30
*1.45 p.m. (12 hour clock) = 13.45 (24 hour clock)
Check your answer Add two and a half hours
to 11.15. 11.15 + 2.30 = 13.45
Can I fit it all in? It is now 4.30 p.m.
It’ll take me 20 minutes to get to Client X's.
Then five minutes to park and get in.
Then 15 minutes to get her tea, check her

E
medication and fill out the care plan.
Client Y wants me there by half past five today.
PL
It’ll take me 25 minutes to get to Client Y.
Can I make it in time?

4.30 + 20 mins = 4.50 + 5 mins = 4.55 +

M
15 mins = 5.10 + 25 mins = 5.35
Think of it on a time line.
Now
SA

4.30 4.40 4.50 5.00 5.10 5.20 5.30

20 mins 5 15 mins 25 mins

Arrive Start Leave Arrive

at X's visit X's at Y's

I’m likely to be a little late. Better call the office.

17. Temperature
Temperature is a measure of heat.
There are two main temperature scales, both
named after the scientists who created them in
the 1700s: Celsius and Fahrenheit.

E
Both scales measure heat in degrees.
The symbol for degree is °.
PL
Both scales measure temperatures below zero,
as well as at and above zero.

Celsius (say it: sel-see-us)

M
Water boils at 100°C and freezes at 0°C.
Most of the world, including the UK, uses
Celsius (once called centigrade in the UK).
SA

The United States and a few other countries use

Fahrenheit (say it: fa-ren-hite). On this scale,
Water boils at 212°F and freezes at 32°F.

How cold is cold?

The lowest possible temperature is -273°C. This
is absolute zero, no heat at all. Brrr!
Using the Celsius scale

 warmer
2°
1°
two degrees etc
one degree

E
0° zero / freezing

PL -1° minus one


-2° minus two
colder -3° minus three etc
M
Learning questions
What's the difference between 2°C and -3°C?
SA

What is it between -3°C and -1°C?

Here's how to work out the answer:
2°
1° 2°C is 5° warmer than -3°C
0°
-1° -3°C is 2° colder than -1°C
-2°
-3°
18. Thermometers
Traditional thermometers use thin glass tubes of
liquid mercury or coloured alcohol. Heat
expands the liquid, making it rise up the tube.
The tube is marked with a scale.

E
It takes several minutes to take a temperature
with a traditional thermometer.
Liquid Scale
PL This is the temperature
M
Digital thermometers use electricity to measure
heat. They display the temperature on a screen.
SA

They work faster than glass thermometers.

Heat sensor This is the temperature

37.0 c

Did you know?

Thermometer comes from two Greek words,
therme, heat, and metron, measure.
Room thermostats help us control the
temperature of a room.
We set the thermostat to the temperature we
want. It controls the heating to keep the room at

E
that temperature.
Older thermostats are mechanical. We twist a
dial to set them.
PL
Modern thermostats are digital, with buttons to
press and a display screen.
M
Mechanical thermostat Digital thermostat
SA 10

20.0
10 Room temp

30 21º °c C
15

25

20
20

Dial
This is the temperature Buttons
setting
19. Useful temperatures
Body temperature should be around 37°C
Note that it is normal for human body
temperature to vary by a degree or two.

E
Room temperature 18°C to 24°C = safe
16°C or lower = dangerous for older people
PL
25°C or higher = dangerous for older people

Bath water
Above 37°C, but must be below 43°C.
M
Water above 43°C scalds and is dangerous.
Food safety
SA

Fridge: 1 to 4°C (always below 5°C)

Freezer: -18°C (some may be set at -13°C)
Danger zone: Bacteria can multiply in food
stored at temperatures between 5 and 63°C

UK outdoor temperatures
Typical January outdoors temperature: 8°C
Typical August temperature: 20°C
Converting Celsius and Fahrenheit
°F  °C: °F – 32 x5 ÷9 = °C
For a rough answer: subtract 30, divide by 2

E
°C  °F: °C x 9 ÷5 + 32 = °F
PL
For a rough answer: multiply by 2, add 30

Write other useful temperatures here:

M
...........................................................................
SA

...........................................................................

...........................................................................

...........................................................................

...........................................................................
20. Pay
To budget successfully, it's important to
understand how your pay is calculated.

Useful pay questions

E
Is my pay based on
ƒƒ An hourly wage?
PL
ƒƒ A weekly wage?
ƒƒ A monthly wage?
ƒƒ An annual salary?
Do my hours stay the same each week/month?
M
How much tax and national insurance do I pay?
Am I entitled to holiday pay and/or sick pay?
SA

Am I paid for bank holidays?

Do I earn extra for different types of work, e.g.
overtime, night shift?

How much do I earn a year?

Weekly wage x 52
e.g. £290.00 x 52 weeks = £15080.00
Monthly wage x 12
e.g. £1256.67 x 12 = £15080.00
Pay slip terms
Every employer's pay slip is a little different.
Ask your administrator to explain the items on
your pay slip. Note what each item means.

E
Here is some useful info to help you:

NI Number = Your National Insurance number

PL
Tax Code = Information from HMRC* telling your
employer how much tax to take out of your pay
Gross Pay = Your pay before tax and any other
M
deductions (e.g. NI)
Tax = Income tax being deducted from your
gross pay
SA

NI = National insurance being deducted from

your gross pay (to help pay for state benefits)
Total Deductions = Total amount deducted
from your pay
Net Pay = Your pay after deductions

*Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the tax

office
21. Quiz
1. What sort of things do we measure at work?
2. How does learning boost confidence?
3. What should you know about the records you

E
keep?
4. Which goes up and down: a row or a column?
PL
5. What is a unit of measurement?
6. How many g in a kg?
M
7. How many lb in a st?
8. Would it be safe for a woman to move a
box on her own that weighed 12kg?
SA

9. In the UK, do we write dates day-month-year

or month-day-year?
10. How many days in February?
11. The food packet says BBE: 21Jul. Today is
23 July. Is the food safe to eat?
12. What does a.m. mean?
13. If you start at 08.30 and finish at 17.30, how
many hours do you work?
14. What is 7.45 p.m. in the 24 hour clock?

E
15. How many lots of 5 minutes are there in an
hour?
PL
16. It’s 15.35. Your next job will take 45 minutes.
What time will you be finished?
17. How many degrees between -3°C and 8°C?
M
18. What does a thermostat do?
19. What can happen in the Danger Zone?
SA

20. What's the difference between gross pay

and net pay?
The information you need to answer these and
many more questions is in this booklet.
For answer 1, see page 1. See page 2 for answer 2 etc.

Bonus Q!
What temperature is safe for bath water?
What next?
You may find some of the other booklets in this
series useful.
Number skills for care workers explains
fractions, decimals, percentages and more.

E
Talking about how much, how often looks at
how we say numbers, quantities, times and dates.
PL
Physical health explains important aspects of
how the body works, plus the language we use
when we talk about physical health.
M
Talking about bodily functions and feelings
looks at the everyday expressions we use to talk
about our bodies and how we are feeling.
SA

For more on developing your care work

knowledge and skills, including qualifications:
ƒƒ Visit the Skills for Care website at
ƒƒ www.skillsforcare.org.uk
ƒƒ Go to the Developing skills section
Learning through Work series
> Reporting and other care work writing
> Writing skills for care workers

E
> Talking about bodily functions and feelings
> Physical health
PL
> Using numbers in care work
> Number skills for care workers
> Talking about how much, how often
M
SA
 Notes
SA
M
PL
E
SA
M
PL
E