I live in Bicester Oxfordshire and have 20 years in care. I have the NVQ 3 in care, City in Guilds in train the trainer, people handling & risk assessment, key trainer’s certificate, health and safety level 2 for managers and other certificates. I was awarded the cross of Malta for my hard work in a care home. My question is I would like to be a private carer but do not know how to get the right advice on how to start?

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Alice

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Alice,

I think you are looking to provide care to just one service user.

If I am right then most people call this position a personal assistant.

If you go to the Skills for Care website www.skillsforcare.org.uk and put personal assistants into the search engine you will find a great deal of information and advice.

You will also find information on the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) website http://www.scie.org.uk/atoz/?f_az_subject_thesaurus_terms_s=personal+assistants&st=atoz

The issue for you now may be how to meet a potential client.

I think to begin with you might approach a home care agency and also you should look out for adverts in your local paper.

Of course you can also do a search on line.

One of the important things that you need to consider is having the proper insurance.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes.

Sheila