About the role
Visiting people in their own homes across a planned round, supporting them to stay independent where they would rather be.
These are the criteria providers across the UK typically set for this role, so you can judge your own fit before you apply anywhere. Individual services vary — any role we put you forward for will have its own criteria, pay and rota, and we confirm those with the provider first.
What the role usually involves
- Work a schedule of planned calls, from short medication prompts to double-handed personal care
- Support personal care, meals, medication and household tasks inside someone’s home and on their terms
- Spot deterioration early — on many rounds you are the only person who sees them that day
- Log calls on the electronic call monitoring system as you go
- Report missed calls, no-access visits and safeguarding concerns to the office straight away
Typical criteria
- A full UK driving licence and use of a car for most rounds, with business use on your insurance
- Comfort with lone working and with entering people’s homes respectfully
- Availability across split shifts — mornings and evenings are where the demand sits
- Punctuality and honest call logging, including when a call ran short
- Confidence to make a judgement call before the office picks up the phone
Often asked for as well
Not usually dealbreakers, but they widen the range of services that will consider you.
- Care Certificate or Level 2 Diploma in Adult Care
- Experience of dementia, palliative or complex home care packages
- Willingness to cover a rural round
Hours and pay
Split shifts across mornings and evenings, with alternate weekends. Part-time rounds are common and often the easiest way in.
Ask how travel time is treated. Good providers pay travel time and mileage on top of the call rate rather than folding both into an hourly figure that only applies while you are in someone’s home.
Checks and eligibility
- An enhanced DBS check on the relevant barred list, or a current one on the update service we can check
- The right to work in the UK — we are not a licensed sponsor, so we cannot offer visa sponsorship or take over an existing certificate
- A full employment history with references covering it, including one from your most recent care employer
- Proof of identity and address, plus evidence of any qualification or professional registration the role depends on