Independent Carers

19/02/2023

Decide what service you want to provide and feel comfortable with.

18/02/2023

https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2023/feb/17/england-care-shortages-older-people-age-uk-report

A question I get asked a lot is, 'if I went self employed, do you think there's work out there?'. The answer is yes, people are needing your help. Caring has to work for the carers and those in need of care. This crisis has been here for a long time and it's getting worse, but the people who bear the brunt of it often don't have a voice the change it ❤️

If you can help, now is the time ❤️

Charity’s report highlights scale of unmet support need owing to huge shortfalls in workforce

12/02/2023

The app goes from strength to strength, if you're serious about being a professional self employed carer, here's the tool to do it ❤️

Calling all Self Employed carers - here is my honest recommendation of the app I use in the community to document my daily interactions with my clients.

31/12/2022

Wishing you all a very, happy, healthy and prosperous new year, carry on caring 🤗❤️

25/12/2022

Happy Christmas, thank you for caring ❤️🌲🦌⛄🎁

20/12/2022

Do your clients understand self employment?

Do they know that you are your own person?

Nobody acts on your behalf, vouches for you or organises your time.

You are your own boss.

You can help them to choose you by providing a portfolio of evidence that includes, your CV, references, insurance paperwork, qualification certificates (where applicable) and anything that shows them you are a professional self employed carer who can help.

You can have a direct relationship with your client and you arrange the contract (copy in the toolkit)

Hope that helps!

17/12/2022

It’s not rocket science and yet we hear time and time again of people who are neglected and ill-treated. To be a good carer it takes someone who cares, someone who is compassionate, respectful, patient and understanding, attributes that should come naturally to a genuine carer.

A useful barometer is someone who treats people the way they would wish their parents and grandparents would be treated, with understanding, patience, empathy and sometimes a good sense of humour.

There are many words to describe good carers
 Responsible
 Caring
 Compassionate
 Respectful
 Patient
 Understanding
 Sensitive
 Flexible

You don’t have to go far to find some great quotes from existing carers and their clients to establish what makes a really good carer,

“Someone who takes time to treat their client like a person not an object.”
“respect and assurance such that the lady or gentleman is allowed to keep their dignity. Be supportive to the families”

“treat elderly people with the same dignity as anyone else. Yes, obviously some do have dementia, hearing difficulties and such like, but we're all human, Respect and patience are good attributes. Sense of humour, and a willingness to learn about their specific routines”

“Compassion, Understanding, Patience, Love, and a Big Heart”

“Care, compassion, common sense.”

“patience, kindness, empathy, understanding, honesty and reliability”

It is not difficult to find information and guidance on what the job of care should look like, the Department of Health provides the following the guidance set out in this Code of Conduct to give you the reassurance that you are providing safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and the confidence to challenge others who are not.

As a Healthcare Support Worker or Adult Social Care Worker in England you must:

1. Be accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions.

2. Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers at all times.

3. Work in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare, care and support.

4. Communicate in an open, and effective way to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers.

5. Respect a person’s right to confidentiality.

6. Strive to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional development.

7. Uphold and promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

• Skills for health code of conduct www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/code-of-conduct

As a self-employed carer you can still subscribe to the code of conduct and explore ways to achieve the standards. For example, you may not have colleagues or managers but you could establish your own network to compare best practice and access learning.

15/12/2022

No I am not an agency.

If a third party gets involved in the provision of care then the chances are you are not self employed.

I am a facilitator and trainer, to build an army of self employed carers equipping you with what you need to get out there on your own.❤️

Agencies will manage the whole care package and will resource staff to provide the care, they are CQC registered and employ staff to provide care.

There are 'introducers' out there or people who can assess the care package, if they are involved in managing the contract between you and your client, then you can lose your self employed status. Often they will charge, taking a cut from your income and/or they will charge the careseeker.

I am here to support carers who are willing and able to get out on their own and work directly with their own clients. If the situation is right to create a direct relationship and delayer the cost of care then I'm all for professional self employed carers taking control and delivering great care.

You know who you are!!

❤

14/12/2022

What can you expect from self employed care in 10 easy steps?

A framework to guide you on your way to become a self employed carer
Where to get good advice and support from relevant providers and what questions to ask of them.

A toolkit of appropriate care paperwork

A guide to establish your own confidence and boundaries,

We want you to confidently show up for your clients, gain the flexibility and receive appropriate rewards for providing professional care.

Take control of your own work life balance, use your skills, qualifications and experience to provide your professional caring service to those who need it.

You don't have to be on your own, we have a network of other carers and care experts to guide you.

The time is now. ❤️

https://independentcarers.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1045608/

13/12/2022

Like anything, if you haven’t done it before then it can be daunting, knowing what you need to be a self employed carer, what steps you need to take when, is key to feeling confident to make the leap to self employed care.

Remember you can make the transition easier by building your client base whilst you are employed. Some agencies have a clause in their contract which says you cannot work for others but you would need to find out whether its enforceable. There is help out there we have a course entitled Self employed care in 10 easy steps, a community of support and a website to advertise your services.

Don't forget you don't have to do everything in one go! Here are a few thoughts...

• Priority is finding customers. Don't feel out of your depth, only take on customers who you feel confident you can help. You can manage their changing needs as you go along. It might mean getting the right training or working with the client and/or family to find the right support.

• Agree what your service is by using the care agreement, you are in control.

• Once you have customers you can buy your public liability insurance.

• You don't need to register as self employed with HMRC until 3 months in.

• Keep a record of the fees and expenses as you go along, your tax return won't be due until the following year, its plenty of time to find out how to submit your books and find an accountant.

• Keep records of everything you do through the daily diary and any concerns you have capture them in a risk assessment.

• Have regular reviews with the client and/or their family, you are in a great position to talk directly to them.

If you have any further questions or would like to chat go to Independent carers I’d be delighted to start you on your journey to becoming a self employed carer and taking control of your life as a carer.

12/12/2022

Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn't know until you lived through it. Honour your path. Trust your journey. Learn, grow, evolve, become. ~ Maya Angelou

#10 steps

11/12/2022

❤️

How do you fancy having your colour done, in my brand new studio, with a mug of hot chocolate & to leave feeling fabulous and ready for Christmas??

Yes?!?!

This is my only available appointment this year & is only available due to cancellation.

Message me directly to feel great!! 🫶

09/12/2022

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/17/day-in-the-life-of-a-care-worker-zero-hours-contracts

this was written way back in 2016, has anything changed?

I think things have got worse and the pressure of the cost of living has increased.

Surely there has to be a bettter way?

More than 600,000 people work in the care sector, many for agencies hired by councils, on zero-hours contracts and minimal rates of pay. Jean is one of them

08/12/2022

The cash in hand market in care is real. People are turning to their own solutions.

There is a perception that care is cheap, That carers are on minimum wage so paying £10 cash in hand is reasonable.

NO IT IS NOT!

£10 per hour is not enough.....

WHY?

Add in your expenses on top of what should be the national living wage.

Factor on top, your insurance, your NI contributions, tax, holidays, sick pay or income protection insurance, vehicle or transport expenses, uniform/PPE, pension contributions, admin and advice.

If you are paying for these include it in the rate you charge.

You also need to consider the responsibility and risk you take on as a self employed carer and be appropriately rewarded, you decide how much.

Look at what others are charging in your area, what do agencies charge and what are others charging for their services.

For you to do the job of care you need to make it work for you for it to be sustainable

08/12/2022

Loving this lady, what an inspiration ❤️🤗

07/12/2022

Make sure you don't miss out on your employment rights. If you're self employed, you need to allow yourself appropriate rights

07/12/2022

YOU CHOOSE

❤ how much you charge.
❤ when you work
❤ who you work with
❤ what service you provide
❤ where you go to provide your service