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How to Find a Live-In Carer

How to Find a Live-In Carer

By Francesca | 3rd March 2021

How to Find a Live-In Carer 

The decision to bring a live-in carer into your home is not always an easy one. Once you’ve decided to employ a live-in carer, whether for yourself or your loved one, there are a few different ways you can go about this. A live-in carer can provide round-the-clock support, helping someone to continue living safely in their own home. This will allow the person to retain their independence and the comfort that comes with being in familiar surroundings. Of course, it’s important to find a live-in carer who matches this person’s personality as well as their needs. In this article, we’ll be explaining how to find a live-in carer.

When you are searching for a live-in carer, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s important to look for someone with relevant caring experience. That goes double if you’re arranging a live-in carer for somebody with complex medical needs. It is also important to think about the kind of person that you think your loved one will get on with. After all, live-in carers offer much more than just care to their clients; they also offer friendship and companionship. At Abing Homecare, for example, you can request a carer with certain skills or personality traits such as a love of animals. We’ll always do our best to accommodate these requests and find the best possible match.

How to arrange a live-in carer 

You may wish to start by contacting your local council’s adult social services department. They can conduct a few assessments and tell you whether you’re eligible for financial support to cover the cost of hiring a live-in carer. The council may be able to arrange live-in care services for you, although you won’t usually have much say over the carer who comes to stay with you. Alternatively, you can choose to receive the funding directly and arrange your own live-in carer. There are a few different ways to arrange live-in care:

1. Privately

Arranging live-in care privately has its advantages. For example, you’ll be able to hand-pick your live-in carer (this could be a friend or family member). However, it comes with a lot of responsibility too. You will essentially become an employer, meaning you’ll need to provide a written contract and pay your carer accordingly. You’ll also be liable for providing holiday pay, statutory sick page, and ensuring that your live-in carer is covered by the relevant insurance. In addition, you may be responsible for your live-in carer’s National Insurance and Income Tax – make sure you understand your legal obligations before arranging homecare privately.

2. Through a Live-In Care Provider

If you don’t wish to hire a live-in carer privately, you may want to use a fully managed live-in care provider instead. They will employ and manage the live-in carer for you, taking on the legal responsibilities of an employer. Live-in care providers in the UK will usually be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), making them a safe way to find a live-in carer. However, you often won’t have much choice when it comes to the carer(s) they send to stay with you. These providers can also be a little more expensive, as you will be paying the provider’s fees on top of the carer’s wages. 

3.  Through an Introductory Homecare Agency

An introductory homecare agency will help you find a suitable live-in carer for yourself or a loved one. The agency will already have carried out the necessary background checks on any potential carers, saving you time. However, the carers will usually be self-employed. This means that you will not need to take on the legal responsibilities of employing them directly – a definite advantage.

Abing is an example of this kind of agency, which can help you find a carer who matches your needs, interests, and personality. Additionally, many introductory agencies will be able arrange respite care when your usual carer needs to take a break. Introductory agencies are not regulated by the CQC – they set their own standards and conduct their own assessments and background checks to find the best quality carers. 

Live-In Care from Abing Homecare

If you’re wondering how to find a live-in carer, Abing Homecare can help. We can conduct a free Needs Assessment and find you the right carer quickly. Get in touch with our friendly team today by giving us a call or using our handy enquiry form. From there, we’ll work with you and your family to match you with a carer who can meet your social and emotional needs as well as your practical requirements.

Click here to find out more about live-in care from Abing Homecare.