Self-employed live-in carer FAQs
Our clients live all over the UK but most of them reside in London and the Surrey area. For a live-in assignment you will live in the client’s home to support their everyday life in a multitude of ways. Assignments are typically 8-12 weeks long.
Our recommended day rate for live-in care is between £121-142 depending on the total length of the assignment and if you are caring for a couple or an individual. These rates will be more on Bank holidays.
The client will cover most of your other costs including food, utilities, travel, and any extra work such as being awoken during the night.
Travel* – A live in carer should charge for return 2nd class train or bus fares to the client or 45p per mile if travelling by car, from London unless their starting location is closer.
Meals – Almost all care assignments involve preparing food for the client. They typically prepare the same food for themselves at the same time. This should all be paid for by the client. Arrangements around extra food for guests, family, or different food for the carer should be discussed and agreed ahead of the assignment.
Breaks – Average hours of work are usually a maximum of 10 hours with a two hour break at a time suitable to the client.
Night calls – If the client needs support from you during the night, you are entitled to charge the client £12 for every 30 minute night call. If this exceeds £24 then contact the office as the client should then consider hiring an additional carer to support during the night so you can rest properly.
As the carer, it is your responsibility to invoice your client each week for any expenses. Travel allowance should always be agreed with the client ahead of the visits.
*A carer from overseas will be expected to pay for their own flights or transportation to and from the UK.
Care work requires a specific type of person; someone who is kind and caring, but also diligent and professional. Below are some essential and desirable qualities we are looking for in carers who want to work with us:
- You can be from overseas, but you must have the right to work in the UK
- At least least 3 months’ experience as a carer
- Up to date training certificates (or be willing to pay for training)
- Well-spoken, and fluent in written and spoken English
- Willing to work 2-12 weeks at a time
- Organised and a good communicator
- Honest, kind, respectful, gentle in nature, always prepared to go the extra mile for clients
- Able to support those living with dementia
- Happy working in isolation
- Physically fit and able to cope with demanding daily routines
- Good cooking skills
- Have a valid driving license
- Happy to work in a house with pets
You can work as a carer in the UK if you have:
- British citizenship or you have a certificate of registration or a naturalisation as a British Citizen (with a national insurance number)
- The Right of Abode in the UK or a UK Ancestry Visa. You are eligible for this if your grandparents, parents or spouse were born in the UK
- EU Pre-Settled or Settled status
- A UK Government Share Code, proving the right to work in the UK
- A Frontier Worker Permit
If none of these apply, then you cannot work as a self-employed carer in the UK unless you are sponsored by an individual who has registered as a sole trader and acquired a licence to sponsor Skilled Worker application. However, this very rarely occurs.
You must have at least 3 months’ professional care experience and up to date certificates in relevant care training.
No. We do not sponsor work visas.
Overseas carers who want to work with us must have the right to work in the UK.
Yes. However, you must present the following documentation:
- Proof of your right to work in the UK
- Relevant training certificates
- A DBS on the update service or one that can transferred
- Professional references
Live-in assignments are typically 2-12 weeks long in duration, but can be longer if desired.
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