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How Do I Become a Carer For My Elderly Neighbour?

Author: Sarah O'Hara BA (hons) - Updated: 9 November 2010 |

How do I become a carer for my elderly neighbour? Where do I start?

(Miss C Medhurst, 23 February 2009)

We have taken this question to mean that you want to become an employed carer for your elderly neighbour, rather than wanting to care for them voluntarily.

There are a couple of ways you could look into becoming a carer for your elderly neighbour. The method you choose will depend on you and your neighbour’s circumstances:

Direct Payments

Direct payments allow those with care needs a greater deal of flexibility around the care that they receive. They allow people to arrange and pay for their own care, rather than having it organised for them by the local authority.

Your neighbour would need to be assessed and the amount of care they require per week would be taken into account. If they were eligible for direct payments, they could use this money to pay you as a carer. There are restrictions, which vary from council to council, on what direct payments can be used for.

Related on The Carer...

Even if your neighbour is on a different kind of care plan currently, they could still switch to direct payments.

Private Employment

If your neighbour isn’t eligible for direct payments, they can still employ you directly using their own money.

In both these circumstances, remember that your neighbour will be your employer and you will need to have an employment contract in place.

Remember, too, that there are other benefits you may be entitled too as a carer, such as:

Carer’s allowance: Carer’s allowance is for carers who spend at least 35 hours per week caring. The person they care for should be in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or certain other allowances. There are some restrictions on who can receive Carer’s allowance
Direct payments (to pay for services)
Income support: If you work less than 16 hours per week, you may be entitled to Income Support.

If your neighbour has a social worker, the first step will be to discuss how things could proceed with them. If not,your neighbour/a representative could discuss the situation with their GP, who can refer them for assessment. Alternatively, you or your neighbour could also contact the local authority directly. Get in touch with the social services department and they should be able to explain how you can become your neighbour’s carer and also provide information on any benefits you may be entitled to as a carer.

Comments...

Hi I have been employed within the care sector for 13 years and NVQ2 qualified in Health and Social Care. Also I have been supporting children and young adults with learning difficulties. After alot of consideration, I feel I would like to offer my services to people who require care and support in their own homes. I am not sure how to go about it.would I need to register as a business, and who would be responsible for the insurances and how would I go about the funding etc.any help would be appreciated. Thank you Kirsty

kirsty - 13 January 2012 @ 8:55 PM

HiAfter working in the care sector for many years I have been considering offering my services to people needing support at home.My plan was to place an advert in the local paper simply stating carer or home help available.If this recieved interest and enough work for me to do so on a full time basis that is what I propose to do. My question is who would be responsible for my tax and NI contributions and would I have to register as a business. Also as many of the contracts would be from direct payments or individuals paying from there own funds do I need liability insurance etc:In short I have all the qualifications needed but don't know where to start! Also if people are employeeing me privately do I need to make sure training etc is up to date or are there fewer legalities involved?' I hope you can answer these questions or point me in the right direction as I feel many people could benefit from a little extra help at home. Many thanks

halest77 - 31 July 2011 @ 8:28 AM

How do I register to become a carer in my own home and have an elderly resident?

lady penelope - 13 July 2011 @ 4:25 PM

I am glad I found your web site, I would very much like to care for my neighbour/friend however I have four young children between ages of 5 - 10 and need to know if I would be entitled to any child care costs - especially during school holidays? Also if I did become a carer would it effect my child tax/family tax credits, it is difficult enough trying to juggle things without the extra burden of money worries. Many thanks for your time.

Jue - 19 April 2011 @ 9:45 AM

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