Working in the care profession can be a highly rewarding and enjoyable career path to take. If you want to explore your options, you may want to double-check that you can cover all of the bases that are needed. In this guide, we’re going to provide detailed insights into how to become a private carer.
Let’s dive into the details so that you can take the next step towards a career that makes a real difference.
Key Takeaways
- There is no legal requirement to hold a specific qualification or certification if you are a private carer.
- Training is highly recommended to
- Private carers need to register to pay tax with HMRC and have a DBS check to verify their background and criminal history
What Is A Private Carer?
Private carers are dedicated personal assistants who help a specific individual with a wide range of daily tasks. Examples include mobility assistance, medication reminders, companionship, and some degree of housekeeping.
Other areas where help may be given are personal care, such as dressing, bathing, and toilet breaks, as well as preparing meals and assisting with eating and drinking.
The specific nature of the work will be discussed between the private carer and the person they are helping to look after. Because private carers are self-employed and don’t have to follow the rigid guidelines of agencies, they can offer a much more personal, flexible service.
Qualifications For Private Carers
There may be no legal requirement to gain a qualification, but studying for one can help you build your skills and confidence. A formal qualification will also add more credibility to your CV.
Common qualifications are NVQs and Diplomas in Health and Social Care that provide a wider context to the many different situations you will find yourself in. Many private carers see studying as a way to reduce the stress of their role and to improve their prospects for the future.
Although qualifications are not legally required, some insurance providers may insist that you hold the appropriate qualifications for the healthcare tasks you perform in your caring role. Surewise Carers Insurance requires you to confirm that you have these qualifications and may request proof if you make a claim. Failure to provide adequate evidence could result in your claim being denied.
Registering As A Private Carer
If you want to become a self-employed carer, you will need to pay tax once you cross the tax-free earnings threshold. Even if you won’t exceed the threshold in your first year, you still need to register with HMRC. This requires you to sign up for self-assessment tax and is something that can be done in a couple of minutes.
Many private carers also choose to register themselves as professional care providers with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). You can think of this as a proactive step to building what could be a long and rewarding career.
Obtain A DBS Check
Getting a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is a mandatory legal requirement that every private carer has to fulfil. Failure to do so means you may not have revealed to a future employer that any criminal history you might have prohibits you from working in the care profession.
Self Employed Carer Insurance
Cover available for:
- Public Liability up to £5m
- Loss or Damage to Property
- Accidental Injury & Legal Expenses
- No Hidden Fees, No Excess
Draft An Employment Contract
Ensuring you have a contract of employment in place will help to ensure you are on the same page as the person you care for. The contract will make sure that each of the following details is clearly defined and that your rights are protected:
- Your standard hours of work will be outlined, and overtime parameters and rates of pay will be defined
- Your rate of pay will be clearly stated, and your employer will have to sign showing they agree to pay you at that rate
- Your cancellation terms will be clearly stated, and any notice your employer has to give you to cancel an appointment will be included
- Your responsibilities as a private carer will be comprehensively outlined so that everyone knows what you should and should not be asked to do
The legal side of things may feel a little detached from the people side of things and the soft skills that you enjoy practicing. Taking the time to get all of these points right at the start is the smart approach to take here as you move onto the next exciting stage of your career. If you would like to view a template to help you get started you can do so here.
Get Yourself Safely Insured
Finding the right insurance policy for your new role as a private carer may feel like it is going to be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Here at Surewise, our dedicated Self-Employed Carers Insurance policy will provide the coverage you need as you move onto the next stage of your career.
Connect with our team members today, and they will talk you through the key details you need to know. We’re right here when you need us.
