Unique live in carers are more than trained care professionals, they are pretty amazing human beings who have the empathy and emotional maturity to devote their time completely to others.
They must not only complete our award-winning training and values onboarding but also meet our most important benchmark: 'Would we trust this person to care for our own mum or dad?'. Thus, only a select few make it through, going on to make the most wonderful impact with the families they help support.
As directly employed staff, your Caregiver has chosen to go through a meticulous and regulated recruitment process that complies with the industry standard "Care Certificate".
It also means that your Caregiver is fully managed, trained and retrained, supported, and paid by us. This allows you to focus on quality time at home together rather than the administrative tasks associated with outstanding live in care.
We know that taking the decision to allow a live in carer into the sanctuary of your home means an emotional leap of faith - here we hope to give you as much insight as possible as to their roles, selection, management and backgrounds to make that process a little easier.
Who Are Your Live In Carers?
Our live in care team is broad and diverse, spanning a large age range, gender and with an array of previous experience.
Because they are choosing to work and reside in our families' homes we're able to recruit from all over the UK; we also have some team members who are ex-pats and combine working in the UK on long rotations with their home abroad.
It is important that you are involved in the matching and selection process for your loved one, that is why we will always send you a live-in carer profile that gives you a good insight into their professional and personal lives. As an idea here are some of our current live in carer team:
Regardless of their background, your live in Caregiver has been carefully chosen for their skills, empathy, and commitment to providing exceptional 24-hour care.
Your carers follow the personalised care plan created by your care manager and ensure its effectiveness as your needs change. They are attentive to your preferences and work diligently to make sure your care experience is both comfortable and supportive.
Whether it’s helping with your morning routine and making the tea just how you like it, or engaging in your favourite activities to pass an afternoon, they can be a constant companion.
This consistency of presence means that your live in carers also play a vital role in monitoring your health and well-being.
They are trained to notice subtle changes in your health, enabling them to address any issues promptly and thus keep you as healthy and active as possible.
By choosing a fully managed live in service, you can rest assured that you are receiving the very best care in the comfort of your own home—close to the things you know and love.
What do live in carers need ?
Your live-in carers will need their own private room where they can sleep and somewhere to store their belongings, like a wardrobe or chest of drawers. Anything else you can provide to make them more comfortable is always appreciated but at your discretion.
Your Caregiver will also need a couple of hours of downtime each day. Your care manager will help you figure out the best way to arrange this so it doesn’t affect your loved one's well-being.
Getting enough sleep is important too. While they can help with a couple of wake-ups, such as a trip to the toilet, if they’re unable to get four hours of uninterrupted sleep, your care manager can discuss other options with you.
Having WiFi is important for your carer so they can stay connected and keep the care plan updated efficiently. And for meals, we ask that you provide a £40 per week food allowance for your carer, which can either be included in your weekly shop or added to your invoice.
Eating together can be a nice way to connect, but if either of you has dietary needs, this arrangement can make things easier. For further details visit our guide to preparing for a Live In carer.
The Recruitment Process for Live-In Care
Your live-in carer goes through extensive initial training and continuous professional development to ensure they are always equipped to provide the best bespoke care possible. Here’s an overview of the training they receive:
Application Review: Potential Caregivers begin by submitting an application detailing their experience and qualifications. Our recruitment team carefully reviews each application to ensure candidates meet our high standards, focusing on finding the most dedicated and skilled individuals for your care.
Initial Contact: If an application looks promising, we reach out to discuss the next steps. Here is where we first apply the 'Mum Test,' asking ourselves, "Would we trust this person to provide care for our own mum?". This ensures only the most compassionate and trustworthy individuals move forward.
Interviews: Candidates undergo several interviews where we assess their caregiving skills, empathy, and dedication. This ensures you receive the right care, from individuals who are both highly capable and genuinely caring.
Ongoing Support: After your carer begins their placement, the care manager visits on day 1 and day 7 to ensure the care plan is effective and that both you and the carer are settling in well.This continued support ensures that your needs are being met and any concerns are promptly addressed, providing you with reassurance and continuous high-quality care.
Extensive Training and Development for Live-in Care
Your live-in carer goes through extensive initial training and continuous professional development to ensure they are always equipped to provide the best bespoke care possible. Here’s an overview of the training they receive:
Initial E-Learning Modules: At the beginning of their journey, your carer completes essential e-learning modules. These cover the basics of home care, providing a strong foundation that ensures your carer is well-prepared from the start.
Three-Day Face-to-Face Induction: After e-learning, your dedicated live-in carer attends a comprehensive three-day induction session. This hands-on training covers:
- Personal Care Techniques: Helping with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and hygiene to make sure you receive gentle and effective support.
- Administering Medication: Learning the proper procedures for giving medication safely and correctly.
- Specialised Training: Managing conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s, and mobility issues to meet your unique health needs with care and sensitivity.
- Health and Safety: Learning protocols to prevent accidents and keep your home safe, including mobility assistance and being prepared for emergencies.
- Home Management Skills: Getting trained in essential housekeeping and cooking skills to keep your home clean and comfortable and to prepare tasty, home-cooked meals.
Ongoing Professional Development: Your carer benefits from continuous learning opportunities, including regular training sessions and workshops.
This commitment to ongoing education keeps their skills sharp and up-to-date, making sure you always receive the most current and effective care.
Specialised Training Programs: On top of the mandatory training they receive during induction, your carer also gets extra training for specific health conditions and care needs, like dementia care, palliative care, and mobility support.
This additional training ensures that your carer can handle your unique situation with expertise and understanding.
The Qualities of Your Live In Carer
What Makes a Great Live In Carer?
Your live in carer is chosen for their ability to provide exceptional care through a mix of compassion, patience, reliability, and flexibility. Here’s how these qualities enhance the care you receive:
Compassion: Your carer truly cares about your well-being, providing a supportive and comforting environment. They listen to your concerns and offer emotional support, making you feel understood and valued.
Patience: With a calm and understanding approach, your carer helps with daily tasks and more challenging situations without rushing you. This ensures your dignity and comfort are maintained throughout the day.
Reliability: Dependability is key. Your carer is always there when you need them, providing consistent and trustworthy care. This helps maintain your routines and gives you a sense of security.
Flexibility: Your carer adapts to your changing needs and preferences, ensuring your care remains effective and comfortable as your situation evolves. This responsiveness ensures that your care is always tailored to your current needs.
FREE Live In Care Guide
Day-to-Day Life When You Choose Live-In Care
Your live in carer’s day is all about fitting seamlessly into your life, supporting your routine and preferences while helping you live well at home. Here’s an idea of how a typical day might look, but it can differ depending on the level of care you need:
Morning Routine:
Your day might start with some help getting up and ready. Whether you need assistance with bathing, dressing, or grooming, your carer is there to ensure you feel fresh and prepared. They can also prepare a nutritious breakfast to get your day off to a great start.
Daily Activities:
Throughout the day, your carer can help with household chores to keep your home tidy and comfortable. If you need groceries or have prescriptions to pick up, they can run those errands for you. Staying active and enjoying your hobbies is important, so your carer will encourage you to engage in activities like gardening, reading, or taking a gentle walk.
Companionship
Having someone to talk to and share your day with can make a big difference. Your carer is there to provide emotional support and companionship, whether you want to chat, share stories, or simply have someone to enjoy quiet moments with.
Evening Routine:
As the evening approaches, your carer can prepare a healthy dinner to ensure you have a satisfying meal. They can also remind you to take any medications you need. Finally, they help you get ready for bed, making sure you are comfortable and settled for a restful night’s sleep.
The Impact of Your Live-In Carer
The Benefits of Live-in Care
Throughout your care journey, your live in carer enhances your quality of life in several important ways:
Improved Physical Health: Benefit from proactive health management, medication support, and encouragement to stay active, leading to better overall health.
Independence and Quality of Life: Maintain independence and enjoy your favourite activities and routines at home, with support in daily tasks and hobbies.
Nutritional Support: Receive nutritious meals tailored to your dietary needs, helping you maintain a healthy diet and energy levels.
Emotional Support and Well-being: Enjoy consistent one-to-one care and companionship, reducing loneliness and improving mental well-being by having someone to talk to and share your day with.
Peace of Mind: Gain peace of mind knowing your carer meets all your needs with professionalism and compassion, reducing stress for you and your family.
Why Choose Our Live In Carers?
Fully-Managed Service:
Our fully-managed service includes a dedicated Manager and Coordinator for both you and your Caregiver at every step. You will regularly see your manager, especially during the critical first week, ensuring everyone is settled and comfortable. Your care team handles everything from ongoing training to reviewing the effectiveness of the care package and liaising with other healthcare professionals as your needs evolve. This takes some pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on quality family time.
Regulated by CQC:
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator of health and social care in England, ensuring that services provide safe, effective, and high-quality care. Being regulated by the Care Quality Commission means you can trust that your care meets the highest standards and is continuously monitored for quality and reliability.
Proven Excellence:
Feel confident knowing that your care is in highly-rated hands. Being among the top 5% of social care providers with an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC means you’re receiving some of the best care available. Additionally, our ranking as one of the top 20 homecare providers in the UK, based on client feedback, ensures that you’re getting trusted and highly-regarded support.
Continuity of Care:
You will have a small, dedicated care team around you, typically involving two dedicated Caregivers who work on a regular rotational basis. This ensures continuity in care and helps build personal connections and trust.
Your Caregivers will become familiar faces, understanding routines and preferences, and are well-placed to notice small changes that may need proactive intervention.
Perfectly Matched:
It's important you get on well with the person who will live in your home. Your Caregiver will be meticulously matched with you based on personality and care requirements, ensuring a comfortable and rewarding experience for you both.
Quality Training:
Your Caregivers are trained with the best care practices, so you can feel confident that you’re receiving the very best quality of care. Awards like the Princess Royal Training Award and being recognised as a Centre of Excellence by Skills for Care mean that your Caregiver is well-prepared to provide you with excellent care and peace of mind.
