Can anyone advise on paid care/home help/errand work?

[Bucketsofdynomite]

Trying to find a flexible part time job for next year and have thought about doing some kind of sitting/shopping/tidying/befriending type work for housebound/elderly people in their own homes. Would be grateful if anyone could advise me thanks. For instance I have no idea what it's actually called or whether I'd need any qualifications or what kind of agency to approach.

I worked for a home care agency. You find them in the phone book/yellow pages next to nurses' agencies. Or often nurses agencies will have a homecare branch.

However, although there is a degree of befriending, shopping, housework etc. for a lot of clients the work involves personal care. I.e toileting, washing, dressing etc. Is that more than you were prepared for?

Local councils often operate a similar service through their social work department, so it is worthwhile checking their website for vacancies.

HTH

Oh and it certainly is flexible. With the agency I worked for, you were able to say how many hours you could work, what days/times, etc. They often asked you to do more but understoond when you said you couldn't.

Thanks ceolas, that sounds great. Have no care experience other than my small kids but I'm sure I could handle bigger bums sensitively. Do you think they'd give training or would I need to sort something out myself? Or do they chuck you straight in?

They offered a training course. It was a week long covering moving/handling, food preparation, basic first aid, etc. Might be worth ringing and asking.

Do you have a branch of Carewatch nearby? Don't know if they're nationwide. From what I hear, they offer a thorough training course and good rates of pay.

Carewatch