Common Queries and Answers

Welcome to our homecare frequently asked questions page.

Here, you will find the answers to commonly asked home care questions, including information about care and our private carers. If you don’t find the answer that you are looking for, please contact a member of our team or arrange a free home care assessment to discuss your requirements face-to-face and learn about the type of care you’re looking for.

How many hours can a home carer work?

Talking to a home care specialist Our visiting care offer starts from 30 minutes per week and can go up to several hourly visits throughout the day, depending on your needs. We can even offer overnight care in addition to visits throughout the day. On average, our visiting carers work around 20 hours per week caring for different customers in the local community, but this can vary depending on the carer’s availability.

When it comes to live-in care, our carers are required to take a mandatory 14-hour break each week. The timing of their breaks is agreed upon in advance with both their manager and the customer to ensure that it does not interfere with the customer's needs. During a live-in carer's break, a visiting carer or family member will cover their duties, or there may be no coverage at all, depending on the customer's specific requirements.

How much do private carers cost?

Looking for private visiting care? Adicare offers flexible pricing starting at £19.30 per hour per carer, with options for 30 or 45-minute visits. Please note that there is an additional travel fee of £3.50 per carer per visit. For more information on visiting care costs, click here.

If you're looking for live-in care, we offer weekly rates starting at £1,075 per week for one person. For those in need of short-term care, our temporary respite care option starts at £250 per day and is available for stays ranging from three days up to four weeks.

At Adicare, we employ our carers, otherwise known as private carers. This means that we handle everything from their recruitment and training to their pay, holidays, absence, and pensions. With other care agencies, you are expected to hire the carer yourself after the agency has introduced you and manages everything related to their employment. This is the main difference between a private, fully managed carer and a carer from an introductory care agency or service.

How much is Carer’s Allowance?

Carer’s Allowance is currently £67.25 per week. You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you care for a loved one for at least 35 hours per week. If more than one person cares for the same person, only one of you can claim. You can receive the Allowance if you care for more than one person i.e. a couple, but not any extra.

Can a family member be a paid carer?

If you have a family member who cares for you, they can receive payment through Carer's Allowance at a rate of £67.25 per week. Additionally, they will benefit from National Insurance credits and discounts on financial support such as Council Tax reduction, Universal Credit, Pension Credits, and grants & bursaries.

Regarding training, new carer recruits go through a rigorous selection and evaluation process, which includes both theoretical and practical training. They also receive on-the-job training by shadowing an experienced carer during their care calls. Our in-house specialists conduct assessments and training, and we are proud to have received a Centre of Excellence Award from Skills for Care for our training programs. We also offer refresher sessions and advanced training for those interested in developing their knowledge and skills further.

Can I arrange my home care?

Yes – this can be done in one of two ways. The first is arranging care via an introductory agency that will recommend carers to you. It is then your responsibility to pay your carer, arrange holiday and sick pay, find replacements if they’re unable to care for you, and manage the entire process.

The second way you can arrange your care is with a fully managed and regulated care company like Adicare. We employ our carers directly, taking all of the stress and hassle out of arranging pay, working agreements, or finding a replacement carer if you need to take sick leave.

What does a live-in carer do?

A live-in carer will move into your property and is on hand 24 hours a day to meet all of your care needs around the clock. They can help with personal care, medication, and household tasks. But their role is not restricted to this only.

What doesn’t a live-in carer do?

They cannot perform tasks that require a district nurse's expertise, such as giving injections or dressing open wounds. Additionally, they are unable to do gardening or make any DIY or in-house modifications.

Do carers need their own room?

A carer needs their own bedroom with at least a single bed and a door that fully closes for their privacy. It is crucial that they have a separate space to rest and unwind when they are not on duty.

What do I need to provide for a live-in carer?

It is important to provide a live-in carer with their own bedroom that has at least a single bed and a wardrobe or chest of drawers for their personal belongings. Your live-in carer will be content to share all other amenities.

What are carers not allowed to do?

Carers are not authorized to perform tasks that are within the scope of a district nurse, such as changing dressings on open wounds or administering injections. They are also prohibited from participating in any gardening, home improvements, or DIY activities.

How long will a carer stay with me?

A live-in carer can stay at your property for a period of 3-6 weeks, or for a duration that is convenient for you. After that, they will take a break of 1-2 weeks, during which time a replacement carer will take over. The two carers will then work on a rotation.

When do carers take time off and have breaks?

As a caregiver, you have the right to take a total of 14 hours of breaks during your work week. You can divide this time in any way that works best for you. Typically, it is split into two hours each day or a few afternoons each week.

How do I know we’ll get on?

We inquire about the type of person you get along with, taking note of your interests, hobbies, and personality. We then pair you with a compatible caregiver. You can learn about them, view their photo, and have a conversation with them beforehand to gauge your compatibility before they arrive.

Can I have a male carer?

If you prefer a male carer, we can definitely accommodate your request. Your dignity and personal care needs are our top priority, and we will ensure that we find a compatible carer of your preferred gender.

Can I have a female carer?

If you prefer a female carer, we can certainly arrange that for you. We take into account the type of care you need and the qualities you prefer in a carer. Our goal is to make sure you feel comfortable and respected, so we will provide a carer of your preferred gender.

Does the role of a live-in carer require that I live with the customer?

A live-in carer resides with the customer and is available 24/7. Typically, our carers work in shifts of five to eight weeks before taking a break.

Will I have my own room?

Before placing a live-in carer, our assessing team visits the property to ensure it has a suitable room for the carer.

When do I take a break from being a live-in carer?

During your live-in placement, you are entitled to 14 hours of weekly breaks as a live-in carer. It is recommended that you use this time to focus on your personal interests, such as going to the gym, spending time in nature, or exploring books at the nearby library.

Each placement and family has unique needs and preferences, which we consider on an individual basis. We ensure that there is always coverage for the customer when a live-in carer leaves their home.

There are breaks between live-in placements, which are flexible and tailored to the customer's needs. Typically, placements last for several weeks, followed by a long period of leave. We require a minimum commitment of three weeks, which covers some of our shorter-term placements. This approach ensures continuity of care for our customers and allows carers to build lasting relationships with them.

Our live-in carers often find their time on placement as enjoyable as their breaks in between. Some even become close friends with the people they care for, like Mary from Zambia. During their time off, carers may choose to visit family, travel or take a relaxing holiday.

Where are your customers based?

Adicare serves customers all across England, including large cities, small towns, and rural villages.

Am I employed by the person I’m caring for?

At Adicare, you will be employed directly by us, and not by the family. We don't use introductory agents instead, we recruit, assess, and manage all of our carers ourselves. This enables us to maintain our high standards, keep our carers' training current, and have better control over the care provided. You will have the assistance of a local manager and your regional office team.

Are there training opportunities?

At Adicare, we prioritize continuous professional development and offer various training opportunities beyond assessment and selection days.

Will there be someone to contact in an emergency?

Yes. Our carers are always supported with help, advice, and guidance available 24/7.

If you require assistance during office hours, you can contact your assigned live-in care coordinator or field-based care manager. In the event that you need to speak with someone urgently outside of office hours, you can utilize our 24/7 support service through our dedicated carer helpline. We will provide you with the contact details for this helpline once you become a part of our team.

Do you prepare care plans for customers?

Yes, An individual care plan is created for each customer during assessment by their manager. The plan includes medication, medical conditions, and necessary day-to-day assistance.

Do you carry out risk assessments?

Yes. Once a customer agrees to live-in care, a member of our assessment team will visit them to conduct a risk assessment. The results of this assessment will be included in the care plan for the customer.

How much will live-in carers get paid?

The salary for a live-in carer ranges up to £675 per week, which is adjusted based on the customer's needs and before tax and National Insurance deductions.

Will I get paid on a monthly or weekly basis?

Our live-in carers receive monthly pay as direct employees of Adicare. We take care of your tax and national insurance paperwork, so you won't have to worry about it. In addition, you are entitled to statutory sick pay, annual holiday leave, and a pension scheme.

Do I need to be able to drive?

Being able to drive is beneficial as it allows you to accompany your customer outside if their health permits. In case the customer owns a car, we recommend adding you to their family's insurance policy.

To drive, you need to hold a valid UK driving license. If you possess a full driving license from another country, you can drive in the UK, but it's necessary to have confidence in your driving skills.

HomeCare Services in Notthinghamshire

We provide local homecare services to residents in Nottinghamshire