AIBU to become a carer?

[lollygiggler]

I’m looking for a part time job to fit in between my self employed work and family commitments and thought about becoming a carer (home visits, not working in a care home).

l’ve seen how they work as my Dad has been having carers for many years but I’d love to hear any advice.

It’s one of the jobs that there always seems to be advertisements for. This makes me think that it would be easier to get this type of job considering how tough the job market is at the moment, but it also makes me wonder if there is a reason for this!

Carers, please tell me your stories! Both good and bad!

I love being a carer (although I’m technically a support worker).

However, I would never go back to elderly care as they tend to run on skeleton staff and the care ends up being really poor. Not because of the carers, but because there’s not enough time to do anything properly.

I work in the home of two people with physical and learning disabilities. I love the people I support, I love the other staff and I quite enjoy the weird hours (9-5 doesn’t do it for me - I get bored).

Once you develop a bond with the people you support it becomes the easiest job in the world.

I wouldn’t do anything else.

A friend started doing this last year as it gives her a bit of flexibility.

@TheLightSideOfTheMoonthats good to know and I’m pleased you enjoy it. Some of my Dad’s carers are amazing!

Ooh! This sounds good. Flexibility is just what I need.

Pay. It’s dreadful. And conditions. You could set up as self employed PA type carer though, often these just work with one client.

I have a carer who I pay directly. She comes to me at 7am and helps me wash and dress then get downstairs safely. She prepares me a drink and breakfast. She heads off at 8:15 to get her kids off to school. It works for us.

You can do this without qualifications or experience. But people who are looking for someone to care for their loved ones tend to prefer both. I suppose it depends on the client you take on and their needs. Instead of being a carer how about a home help/assistant. I’m a carer and sometimes people just want someone to take them shopping, empty the bins, reach something and have a cuppa and a chat. Know your limits and don’t put yourself and others in a position beyond what you can help with. Do get insurance definitely and an enhanced DBS would help. Advertise the jobs you are willing to do and can do.

If you are going to set up as self-employed, you can now get an Enhanced DBS yourself.

I work for a DBS provider. Before this year, you had to have an employer or organisation to get an Enhanced DBS, but now the rules have changed since January 2026 you can get one directly if you're self-employed or sole trader etc.
You still have to use an Registered Umbrella company. Ours has got a specialised service for individuals needing an Enhanced DBS for themselves: https://self-employed-dbs.co.uk/

Not sure who the cheapest is, but we are £69 at the moment.

Not all Umbrella companies cater for self employed, but you can find a list of all of them here: Welcome to the Home Office umbrella body search

I think carers jobs with be quite sought after in a few years with AI and if you’re a carer that used to do hairdressing, you’re made! I think care work wages will improve too.

Anyway, my mum has carers and they’re all
really lovely and amazing. I think it depends what your employer is like though tbh. My mum’s care company seems to treat their staff very well. I think that makes a difference. They get plenty of time to travel between home and the pay isn’t bad.

I’m currently doing a mental health course. It’s likely I’ll go into community support worker care work if I don’t like school pastoral!

I used to work for a care agency. The travel times between clients were non existent so you were always running late, or starting really early (6am) to try and get ahead of yourself. Good points and bad points. Lovely people who were glad of the help, downside working all hours