We all know how vital carers are but if it's something you're interested in doing as a job or you're looking into caring for a friend or family member, where do you even begin?
We spoke to Country Cousins, the leading provider of live-in care in the UK, about how to be a carer and what you can expect.
What do carers do?
Carer's roles cover a wide range of duties such as personal care, which involves maintaining a good standard of personal hygiene for the person they are supporting and assisting. They could also be required to assist with medication, shopping, domestic tasks, social and physical activities, booking GP or hospital appointments, food preparation. They can also provide companionship.
Carers should be respectful, promote independence wherever possible to enable a person to live a good quality of life.
How do I become a carer?
Many professional carers come from other professional and vocational backgrounds. Without previous professional experience care providers will train and support new joiners to develop the required skills.
Most providers will advertise on job sites via the internet or magazine advertisements. Each companies’ recruitment process will be explained on their website. Offers of employment are usually subject to a Disclosure and Barring service.
How do I know it’s right for me?
A carer’s role can be challenging yet so rewarding. The job role can determine how hands-on you are expected to be, and what sort of tasks you will be carrying out to support the individuals under your care.
Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential in care working. Being able to listen and understand allows you to be an efficient carer. If you enjoy helping others and you have patience and empathy, then this could be the role for you. A positive attitude, common sense, and a willingness to learn will go a long way.
What type of environment will I work in?
Most care will be carried out in a person’s home. The person you would be supporting could be living on their own or with a family member. Care workers can be visiting on a daily basis, which could involve up to four visits a day. There is also the option of Live-in care, this would be the carer living in the client’s home.
How do I become a carer for a family member?
The family members need would need to be identified. This would be assessed by social services. For you to become a registered carer you are required to register with your GP as a carer. This will be recorded in your notes and may allow you to be eligible for a Carer's Allowance.
What is a carer’s assessment?
If you care for a friend or family member you can ask for an assessment to be carried out by Social Services. This is free of charge. Benefits of this assessment would be putting you in touch with support groups, assistance with taxi fares if you don’t drive, training to lift safely, benefit entitlements and more.