Anyone a home carer please?

[Nanananananagigglebiz]

It's an area I'd like to get into in the future part time but I'm not sure how easy it would be to get hours that would fit around having 2 small children. Would welcome people's experiences of the job please? Hours? Likes dislikes etc? I have personal care experience but not worked as a carer before. Thanks

[Nanananananagigglebiz]

Anyone please?

[FannyFifer]

Are children at nursery or school?
Sometimes can work evenings only doing teas and tucks.
Most care companies are always looking for staff, the pay is shite so a high turn over.

[FannyFifer]

Best to phone a few companies.

[PJ04JCW]

I did this 10? years ago (before kids) and pretty much picked my hours. Chose to do 3-4 long days 7am-10pm but lots of mums on the team did lunchtime (11-2) and put to bed (6-10pm) shifts so they could do school runs. Find some companies and ask!

[Nanananananagigglebiz]

Thanks for replying. One at school and a toddler.

[GinAndOnIt]

I did this a while back too, and was able to pick and choose my hours to an extent. But, I found them to ring me constantly asking to cover extra hours, and it was way too stressful when I was working, trying to fit to the schedule and get to people on time. It was impossible in fact.

I also didn't get any petrol costs reimbursed and essentially earned barely anything by the time I'd paid travelling costs. It was such a shame, as I loved the idea of it, and I've always said I will volunteer for something similar when I'm financially able to. It was just too difficult for me to make a living on it, and I had to have two other jobs alongside it to make ends meet.

[Pommes]

Homecare is a great job for parents, trying to fit around school/nursery times.

Highest demand for staff is early morning (7am to 10am) and evenings (5pm to 9pm), but between those times are lunches, domestics and shopping visits.

A couple of things to help you decide on an employer;

Do they pay voluntary living wage set by the Living Wage Foundation (and different from the Government's National Living Wage)?

Will you be paid for travel between visits, or mileage costs? Are uniforms paid for?

Will your DBS check be paid? Will you be paid for undertaking the Care Certificate?