to think this sounds dodgy?

[careworker]

I've applied for a care worker job but the company who are interviewing me say I have to be prepared to register as self employed with HMRC. It sounds very dodgy to me. I'd have no employment protection and I've heard things about it not being legitimate to do that to somebody who is actually an employee but they are trying to get round having to give them the rights of an employee.

Is this is the norm for care work? Anybody know?

Not round here, you work for the company and have company training. Paid holidays and a contract.

I'm pretty sure that even if you register as self-employed, if you only work for one company then you can be classed as an employee. It sounds dodgy, it probably is. Can you call HMRC for advice or ACAS?

Been there done that. Sounds like a zero hours contract where you are self employed purely to get the employer off the hook with all things like NI, annual leave, sick pay etc. While some protections are in place they are still scant. You could end up with no work at all. These sorts of contracts are rife in H&S care; if I were you, avoid it like the plague. If you want to work in that field there are a load of better routes; always aim for a proper employment contract with a care home, nursing home, supported living project etc. Agencies such as the one you’ve come across are everywhere and can cause utter misery. This website is one which shows actual vacancies:
jobs.communitycare.co.uk/
Good luck OP

thank you, it sounds as dodgy as I thought.
I'll steer well clear.

Report the company to HMRC. They are doing this to fiddle things like employers NIC.

HMRC won't wear that. If you only work for one company over a period of time you are an employee- they're just trying to get away with not giving you paid holiday and paying employer NI

A lot of care agencies do this, please try to avoid this type of company and make sure you are on the PAYE and have more rights and security

I took a job through an agency (not care sector) and I had to do the same as is being asked of you.

It was a massive PITA and left me very vulnerable, after working there for 3 years I still wasn't entitled to maternity pay, no sick pay, no paid holidays.

Avoid OP

the carers I have had in for my son have this set up. The problem for families like myself is that the work is adhoc depending on need. His package is also changeable, the agencies put the risk of this on their employees by using self employed, basically zero hours. They are acting as a introductory service more than the service provider.

thank you all, I really appreciate the heads up. @Boulshired I can see how that's hard for you to manage with it being so changeable.

I’ve seen this with other jobs when been employed for temp work with an agency.

You can employ the service of an umbrella company and that way you would get employee rights but you have to pay for this service.

Avoid if you can x