How demanding are overnight 12-hour shifts in home care?

[InNeedofAdvice12345]

I am currently working as a carer visiting people in their homes.

However, I have no experience of being a lived-in carer.

I am considering an overnight 12-hours shift positions.

How challenging do those shifts tend to be?

In other words, how many hours are you expected to be awake?

I do appreciate, it could vary as needs could fluctuate.

However, I would like to have a general idea before approaching an agency.

All advice would be much appreciated

I think it would depend on the needs of the client. There's an overnight care job being advertised near me, caring for a man in his own home. You have to be awake for the whole shift and the advert is very clear that sleeping is a sackable offence.

Ive done nights in a MH care home. They were really quiet most nights. We weren't allowed to sleep except on our break. Although we never reported anyone if they did nap.

Thank you very much for your reply

Is it a waking night shift? There’s usually 2 different rates of pay depending whether there’s high needs and you are expected to look after the person all night and therefore be awake or whether you can sleep in a room next door and expect to put the person to bed and be up with them 2 or 3 times overnight.

I have done both, but I couldn't actually sleep during a sleeping shift, this was where the daughter cared for her mother, and I was meant to be a second if she needed moving or a break. There was less money for this shift though. (I was working for an Agency)

My son has night care in his own home - 7.00pm-11.pm - day rate. 11.00pm - 7.00am sleeping rate. Carers can sleep as he doesn't need support at night and sleeps.