How to get started as an independent caregiver
It can be extremely difficult for family caregivers to balance their work and their home lives. Most caregivers have options, though. They don’t have to continue working at jobs that make it difficult for them to accommodate their loved ones’ needs.One great solution is to start working as a paid independent caregiver for others, as well. This solution harnesses the experience and skills that family caregivers have already developed and leverages them to help them succeed in a new career.
Rising Demand
Demand for respite care and professional caregiving services are on the rise. One American study uncovered the fact that the percentage of family caregivers who are also working at least part-time for pay has climbed up to 62 percent, representing a 16% rise in the past six years, alone. The situation is similar in England, it’s easy to see why.
[ADS]A Solution
Those who have had to quit their jobs in the past to care for their own family members might want to consider taking on a paid caregiver position when they go back to work. After all, they have already honed many of the skills required to provide these services to others over the course of caring for their own loved ones. Seeking self-employment as a Personal Care Assistant (Paid Carer) is the perfect way to put those skills to good use, make good money, and help others, all at the same time.
What it Takes
Obviously, most family caregivers already know what it takes to actually provide practical care. Running a business as a sole trader is a different matter entirely, though, so it’s understandable that even smart, motivated caregivers often need some help getting started. In many instances Self-employed caregivers don’t need to become CQC registered and legally there is no legal requirement for specific training or policies.However, YtB believes that anyone acting as a self-employed caregiver should definitely consider implementing certain legal protections and best practice to best protect the Paid Carer and their Clients. These include undergoing a suitability check which includes having and Enhanced DBS check, taking out Paid Carer Insurance, having a suitable contract in place and having policies such as a Risk Assessment Policy, a Safeguarding Policy, and a Complaints Policy.
Who Can Benefit
There are a wide variety of reasons that a family caregiver might want to take the plunge and start operating for pay. Taking on other clients part-time often allows those who are providing fee-free services to family members or other loved ones the extra income and flexibility of schedule required to continue providing those services.It can also be beneficial for those who are thinking about quitting their jobs to provide care for someone that they know. Most people would prefer to be taken care of by people that they already trust and like so it’s not uncommon for caregivers to find opportunities for paid work taking care of others. Even if they know the person quite well, if they will be getting paid, these caregivers should still follow basic protocols as far as insurance and where required CQC registration go as this will prevent any potential issues in the future.Of course, more than any caregiver, the primary beneficiaries of this process are the clients. Family friends who are then offered the opportunity to work with someone they know will be much better off, as will official clients that are taken on after caregivers have got their businesses off the ground. After all, just about everyone will wind up needing a little bit of help at some point in their lives, so when more caregivers are added to the work pool, everyone wins.
Making Money as a Caregiver
In a perfect world, every adult in need of care and companionship would have a family member or friend who is able and willing to provide that care free of cost. The reality of today’s world, though, is that this just isn’t the case. Everyone needs to make a living, including those who have devoted their lives to helping others.After getting registered and insured, new caregivers’ first priorities are often finding additional clients. The best way to go about doing so without signing on to work full-time for an agency is to start networking, both in your local community and with others in the industry. This will allow caregivers to find not just potential clients, but also tons of information about what to expect when going professional, how to conduct themselves with clients and potential clients, and how to expand their businesses as time goes on.
Go Premium to Get Started
Want help with getting care clients, but don’t want to sacrifice all of the freedom that comes with self-employment in order to find work? Sign up for a premium membership for help with online marketing, access to essential template documents, and articles specifically directed toward those who have recently decided to take their personal carer careers to the next level. It’s the easiest way to get started in a quickly growing industry.