Become a home carer in the UK
Carers are in huge demand in the UK, especially given the country's ageing population. As a result, the caregiver course has received attention among many international programmes at prestigious UK institutions.
According to a Centre for Ageing Better report, there are nearly 11 million people aged 65 and over in the UK, accounting for 19% of the total population. This number is expected to grow to nearly 13 million people, or 22% of the population, over the next ten years.
These people may require personal and extended care from someone who is trained and dedicated to assisting them. As a result, the role of care workers has become critical for the UK.
Who are caregivers?
A caregiver is someone who looks after another person else who requires assistance with daily activities due to age or a medical condition. They provide mental and emotional support to those they care for in addition to medical care.
How do you apply?
Someone considering a career as a carer should first decide whether they want to work as a self-employed or employed caregiver. It is always preferable for a new carers to begin working under the supervision of a CQC-regulated care provider who can provide the necessary training and support to help them progress and learn. Unless you already have long-term clients lined up, it is recommended that self-employed carers sign up with one or more introductory care agencies to help them source a consistent selection of clients.
Here are some places to look for carer jobs:
1. Online sites
2. Place an ad in a local newspaper or on a bulletin board.
3. Social media
4. Websites of care companies
5. Care provider directories
Choose the ideal care provider
A care company can range anywhere from charities, small local companies, to franchises as part of a larger care group. The main difference between these companies will be:
1. The services they offer, such as live-in care versus visiting care.
2. The areas they cover.
3. Their clientele includes disabled adults, those nearing the end of their lives, and those who require complex nursing-led care.
4. Their CQC rating (if they are registered with the CQC), as this is usually a good indicator of the quality of service clients can expect and how staff is treated.
5. Employee benefits include bonus plans, training, pay rates, and company culture.
Any potential caregiver should select the best care provider or agency for them.
Application procedure
Each care provider or agency will have their own set of requirements, as well as their own hiring process. However, there are some common factors that will be considered, and they are as follows:
1. Proof of legal right to work in the UK.
2. Health and Care Visa UK IELTS requirement is 4.0-5.0 Band Score, which is equivalent to CEFR Level B1.
3. A CV.
4. Have at least 1 year of experience working in the homecare industry.
5. References from previous employers.
6. Any relevant training certificates or qualifications (optional).
Most companies accept online applications, but some may require other methods such as postal, personal, or other. If your application is accepted, you will be invited to an interview.
Interview
Depending on the company, you may be required to attend an online or in-person interview. The interview is primarily conducted to ascertain the person's behavioural characteristics, experience, competency, desired working pattern, and genuity.
DBS clearance
When it comes to the safety and security of patients, employment screening and background checks are critical. It is a mandatory legal requirement for those working in adult health and social care. Every professional care worker in the UK needs a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to start working. DBS checks are made on applicants to prove they are certified as safe and secure to work with vulnerable adults.
If a caregiver already has an enhanced DBS, the DBS Update Service is available to them. This is an online subscription service that allows you to keep your standard and enhanced DBS certificates up to date. It also allows employers to check a certificate online with consent. The update service costs £13 per year and begins on the date the DBS certificate was issued. However, not all employers will accept this and may still request a new DBS check.
DBS checks are classified into three levels:
Basic
The first level is a criminal history check. Individuals can apply for this level of DBS.
Standard
A standard DBS check is an in-depth criminal record check that includes information on all cautions, warnings, and reprimands recorded.
Advanced
An enhanced check includes all of the information in a standard DBS check plus additional information such as a listing on the Children's Barred List or Adult First list. Due to the nature of the work and the groups of people a carer will be supporting, most roles in education and healthcare require an Enhanced DBS Check.
Overseas checks
If the applicant has lived outside the UK for more than six months in the last five years, or if they are applying from abroad, they may be required to provide a police check from that country to account for their time spent away from the UK.
Vaccination against COVID-19
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many care providers and agencies have made it mandatory to have a fully vaccinated certificate against COVID-19. Clients are also requesting that their caregivers be fully vaccinated.
Begin your care work
DBS clearance may be the primary reason for the delay in starting a caregiver job.
A start date may also be determined by a company's specific induction process as well as any additional training that may be required. This will be disclosed during the interview and may vary depending on the individual's experience, qualifications, and the role for which they have applied.
It usually takes between two and six weeks from the initial application to the appointment of a caregiver.
Nurses Group Homecare is one of the best agencies to work for if you want to start a career as a caregiver. We are proud of our long history in the homecare industry, having served the UK population for many years.