To ask if there are any self employed carers about? Posting here for traffic

[Mimbuss]

Hello. We live in quite a remote area which has village events but that geographically makes it hard for people who dont drive to get to new places for stimulation and variety.

I am ex social worker and have done some care work ( buy not nvq etc

i am 60 and dont want to do physical care . Or be a pa re care

My idea is to offer a companion service. I am aware that many people cn still feel lonely when they have carers as quite often they are their for limited time due to nature of care provision.

i was thinking ideally of being able to take those who are safely mobile and independent but lonley to places of intrest of their choice . ( in my car)
id offer full days or half days.

The thing is I do not have a clue how to do this .
id presumably need insurance ( when i was a sw i had enhanced insurance for my car for a third party- obligatory) and what about things like falls? Potentially a minefield !
it seems such a need but i don't want to be sued!

also id need to create a business?

i only wnat to donit as and when not full time .. is thsi viable ?! Id really appreciate advice..

Hi! I'm sorry I don't have any advice but I'm an OT currently not working since having my second child 2 years ago and I want to do this exact same thing! I posted the idea on 'Nextdoor' site (do you know it?) to see if there was any local interest generally and got positive feedback but that's as far as I got.

I'm guessing we'd need to set ourselves up as a limited company, get business insurance on our cars and a CRB check . That all seems straightforward but what I'm a bit concerned about is my own safety. And how / where to advertise

You will definitely need to register as self-employed and potentially also undergo some training (to ensure safety). You will need professional indemnity insurance as well as changes to your car insurance.
I have never heard of the role, but as sole proprietor you can create whatever role you feel would fit the gap in the market so this is not an issue.
However, you will only be able to work with clients who are able to self-fund as you are likely not be eligible for social care funding without providing full care services and having relevant qualifications to do so.
Your best bet would be to contact your local CAB and any small business assemblies in your area which may offer you more legal advise about starting a small business.

warmmfeet apparently the government web site has guidance on it .

Catza thanks . Yes awate onky self funded mostly but some people on direct payments are able to fund this sort of thing i think .. well young disabled for sure .

I’m not sure you’d need to create a business but you’d need to register as self employed and discuss changing your car insurance. Fish insurance- disability specialists - offer personal cover for self employed carers.

Alternatively, I know at least one care agency, Home Instead, has carers for ‘companionship’ including trips out. Might be worth talking to them if they cover your area ( they’re nationwide but not necessarily operating in all areas) to see if you could work for them - it would be a way of trying it out, and they’d sort out the legal side of things. Or try other local care agencies.

I've done this work your still a pa, company's like penderels trust advertise their clients on there. Some want a carer some want a personal assistant/buddy. I used to have several clients that I would take out and about all over and that's all I did for them others I did alot of extra like helping them budget finance and going on shopping trips, but it was mainly day trips, swimming or gym sessions, coffee and cake etc. I loved it did it for 6 years until I had to give up due to my children's care needs, I wasn't self employed but I only interviewed for the clients that I wanted on their database so could choose what level of care I was happy to provide and hours I was available

Sprinkles211 thank you !! Thats exactly the thing ! Do u know any other agancies or what i wd google please. ( jon on oendralls were i live you see)

I don't know of any others as that's who I went through they have jobs all over the UK, your employed by the clients themselves and they have to have all the insurance you just need business on your car if they need you to use yours and they pay milage some clients want you to use their own vehicle. My absolute favourite was supporting a man with severe anxiety we would do trips to London and all over the country. I now have 3 disabled children myself (2 severe) and I will be planning on using penderels to get a buddy for my severe girls as they get older so they can do things without mum and dad. I'd go back to private pa jobs in a heartbeat I did get fat though eating alot of cake haha