Direct payments are a key component of the social care system in the United Kingdom, providing individuals with the autonomy to manage their own care and support needs. These payments allow eligible individuals to receive a cash payment directly from their local council, which they can then use to arrange and pay for their care services, giving them greater control over the type and quality of care they receive.

How to Request Direct Payments

Requesting direct payments involves a few key steps:

1. Contact Your Local Council: The first step is to get in touch with the adult social care department of your local council. This can typically be done via phone, email, or through an online portal.
2. Initial Discussion: An initial discussion or consultation with a social worker or care coordinator will help determine whether direct payments are a suitable option for you.
3. Needs Assessment: The local council will carry out a needs assessment to understand your care requirements. This assessment will consider various aspects of your life, including physical health, mental health, daily living activities, and social circumstances.
4. Support Plan: If the assessment indicates that you are eligible for support, a care and support plan will be developed. This plan outlines your needs, the outcomes you wish to achieve, and how the direct payments will be used to meet these needs.
5. Agreement and Payment: If you agree to the proposed support plan, you will sign an agreement detailing the conditions of the direct payments. Payments are usually made into a dedicated bank account to ensure they are used solely for care purposes.

Basic Qualification Criteria for Direct Payments

To qualify for direct payments for social care, you generally need to meet the following criteria:

1. Assessment of Need: You must undergo a formal needs assessment by the local council, which confirms that you require social care support.
2. Eligibility Criteria: You must meet the national eligibility criteria for social care support. This typically includes factors like the inability to carry out basic personal care tasks, manage daily living activities, or maintain personal relationships without assistance.
3. Capacity to Manage Payments: You must have the capacity to manage the direct payments yourself or with the support of a nominated person or appointed representative.
4. Residency: You must be ordinarily resident in the local council’s area where you are applying for direct payments.
5. Agreement to Conditions: You must agree to use the direct payments to meet your assessed care needs as outlined in your care and support plan.

Financial Limits for Direct Payments

Financial considerations also play a crucial role in determining eligibility and the amount of direct payments you may receive. The financial limits include:

1. Financial Assessment: The local council will conduct a financial assessment (means test) to determine your ability to contribute towards the cost of your care. This assessment considers your income, savings, and capital.

Capital Thresholds: If you have capital (savings and investments) above a certain threshold, you may be required to contribute more towards your care costs. The capital thresholds are as follows:

• If your capital exceeds £23,250, you are likely to have to pay for all your care.
• If your capital is between £14,250 and £23,250, you may need to make some contribution towards your care costs, but the local council will also contribute.
• If your capital is below £14,250, your care costs will be primarily funded by the local council, though you may still have to contribute from your income.

1. Income Considerations: Your income, including pensions and benefits, will also be considered. Certain types of income may be disregarded, such as earnings from work, to ensure that individuals are not penalized for being employed.
2. Disregards and Allowances: The financial assessment may also include specific disregards and allowances to ensure you retain a basic level of income for living expenses. This includes allowances for housing costs, disability-related expenses, and a minimum income guarantee.

Direct payments offer a flexible and personalized approach to managing social care needs, empowering individuals to make choices that best suit their lifestyle and preferences. If you think you might be eligible for direct payments, contacting your local council is the first step towards exploring this option.

As is the case with all things, the rules can change over time and you should speak with your local council for the specific criteria for your local authority as every council manages the process slightly differently.

The first step in helping ageing parents is to understand their needs. This may involve talking to them about their health, living situation, and any challenges they may be facing. It's important to understand their perspectives and what they need in order to make informed decisions about their care.

2.   Clarify Your Expectations

It's crucial for you both to discuss your limits and expectations for how this relationship will function before taking on the role of your parent's carer. Since there will be a significant shift in both of your lives, this procedure has two parts.

Try to view your parent's changing circumstances with utmost compassion and have patience. Recognise that your parents are not the same as they once were, and that it is difficult for you both to accept this. Assure them that you are on their side and merely intervening to provide for their needs rather than attempting to impose your own agenda.

It's crucial for you to understand your parents' care objectives. If you haven't already, talk to your parents about things like who they want to be their power of attorney if they become unable to make choices for themselves. These discussions can be challenging, but your parents have likely given it a lot of consideration. You may both want to consult social workers or medical professionals also.

They can be informed about your comfort levels and limitations as a carer, which is another way in which to establish expectations. For instance, you feel at ease assisting them about the house, preparing meals, etc., but if medical care is involved, you would like to arrange in-home care for them. Researching and comprehending the several facets of a carer's duties, though, is an important aspect of knowing what you're willing to do and not do.

3.   Researching Available Options

It's time to start looking at your possibilities after you have a clearer idea of your parents' requirements. This might include looking at in-home care, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and / or systems to decide which choice is best for your parents' requirements, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each.

4.   Understand Your Financial Status

No matter what, providing care for an elderly person will be expensive. Estimating future costs will help you plan effectively.

Consider the expected medical expenses they'll need, the cost of their possible living arrangements (such as assisted living versus moving in with you), and regular expenses like meals, caregiving supplies, home safety adjustments, etc.

Knowing their financial situation can help you determine if they can afford the treatment they require or whether you need to provide financial assistance.

5.   Verify The Validity Of Their Legal Papers

It might be wise to check your parents' end-of-life paperwork at this time and make sure you are aware of their whereabouts. A living will, financial power of attorney, and healthcare power of attorney are examples of estate planning papers. Some of these papers might need to be made or changed if their health suddenly changes, especially if you require access to their accounts.

A financial power of attorney appoints a representative to manage their finances in the event of incapacity. A healthcare power of attorney appoints someone to make medical decisions on their behalf if they are unable to do so.

Offer to put your parent(s) in touch with an estate law professional who can draft these documents if your parents don't already have them.

6.   Talking to Your Parents About Their Options

Once you have gathered information on the available options, it's time to have a conversation with your parents about their preferences. This can be a sensitive topic, so it's important to approach the conversation with empathy and respect for their opinions. Listen to their concerns and answer any questions they may have about the options you've researched.

7.   Making Decisions Together

It's crucial to reach decisions with your parents after analysing the available options. This may entail taking into account the prices, services provided, and accessibility of various facilities, as well as any unique requirements your parents might have. To guarantee the best outcome for your parents, take your time and thoroughly weigh up all of the options available to them.

With thanks to Lilly Partin, guest writer at UKCIL.com

The UK is facing a severe shortage of social carers, with the number of people needing care increasing and the number of carers available to provide it decreasing. This is having a devastating impact on the lives of those who need care, as well as their families and friends.

The shortage of social carers is due to a number of factors. Firstly, there is an ageing population in the UK, with more people living longer and requiring more support. This means that there are more people needing care than ever before. Secondly, there is a lack of funding for social care services, meaning that many local authorities are unable to recruit enough staff to meet the demand for care. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness about the importance of social care and how it can help people live better lives. Finally, there is a lot more competition for  people who might be looking for 'vocational' work, such as driving an Uber or working in an Amazon warehouse.

The consequences of this shortage are far-reaching. Those who need social care are not receiving the support they need, leading to increased levels of loneliness and isolation. Families and friends are also struggling to cope with caring for their loved ones without adequate support from professionals. Furthermore, those who do manage to find work in social care often face low pay and long hours, making it difficult for them to make ends meet.

It’s clear that something needs to be done about this crisis in social care provision in the UK. A greater awareness about the importance of social care and how it can help people live better lives is required.  In addition, some may say that the  government needs to invest more money into social care services so that local authorities can recruit enough staff to meet demand. Finally, those working in social care need better pay and working conditions so that they can continue providing vital support for those who need it most. Based on an analysis of recent and voluminous data, UKCIL would argue that the spend needs to be attributed in a more efficient way, tailoring higher spend on the cases that are most in need of it. A thorough analysis of a local market is key, before any unilateral increase in budgets is considered.

UKCIL's PA recruitment and reporting portal handles considerable data, with volumes of UK-based PAs and employers nearing 35,000. Analytics reviewing the last 12 months show that the number of vacancies is growing month on month in the UK, Albeit marginally in 2022, there was a considerable increase in the number of PAs signing up for care work and applying to UKCIL vacancies in January 2023.

January '23 has been a noticeably busier month, compared to previous Januaries, with some days doubling averages for the last 12 months. Applications were in the thousands last month and February is on course to show the same. It may be too early to say but this initially indicates a busy marketplace, with abundant opportunity to engage with job-seeking PAs - even if there are fewer and / or more difficult 'conversions' into advertised roles. UKCIL's analysis has also found that a low wage, in a rural area, combined with a split-shift (i.e. that which requires a carer to visit a home more than once in a 24-hour period) will the most detrimental impact on PA interest in a role.

If you are a Council or Supporting Organisation that is interested in using effective, data driven approaches to accelerate PA-recruitment for your employers and wish to develop your local social care workforce, please speak to UKCIL for more information.

What you need to know about hiring a personal care assistant - from funding them to finding, hiring, paying and managing them

Are You Self-funding or Seeking Support?

Who pays for a personal care assistant's salary will depend on the individual’s situation. As people’s needs can vary greatly, so too can the costs of providing care. It is essential to consider both the short and long term financial implications. Depending on the individual's situation, if you are not self-funding the care, there are some sources of funding available for personal care assistants.

Local authorities may be able to help fund care needs through their social service departments and may take the form of a direct payment or a personal healthcare budget. LA funding will only be an option for those who meet eligibility criteria. Generally speaking, these requirements involve assessing the individual’s need for care and support, their financial situation and any other relevant factors.

This assessment should include details about the type of care required, any existing medical condition or physical disability, and any other factors that might influence their ability to receive support. You can begin by contacting your local social services department for more information. This department should be able to provide relevant information regarding eligibility criteria and the types of assistance that may be available.

Where Should You Look for a Suitable PA?

Regardless of how you are paying for the support, there are two primary options on how to employ a PA - direct employment or engaging with a care agency. Depending on the individual's situation and needs, one of these options may be more suitable than the other. And, if you are not funding yourself and are being supported by your LA, they may advise you on which route is appropriate to your situation.

Direct employment can be a cost-effective option for those who require ongoing long-term care and have the financial resources available. Although this type of employment will require you be more involved, it can offer more flexibility, as caregivers can provide tailored services to meet your individual needs. This type of arrangement also allows for greater control over the selection process and management of the employee, enabling employers not only to select an experienced and professional caregiver, but also to be build a personal rapport with the person who will be coming to your home on a regular basis.

Care agencies can be a more expensive route but should allow for hands-off management of the care that is being delivered. The agency will be responsible for sending PAs to your home and also for arranging cover for during sickness or holidays.

While care agencies may offer access to experienced and professionally trained caregivers, there is no guarantee that the caregiver selected will always be a perfect fit. When talking to your local care agency, ask to if your PA will be regular and suggest meeting in advance if possible. It is also a good idea to ask the agency about how flexible they are when it comes to the services they provide, as many contracts are set for specific lengths of time. This can mean that even if the individual’s needs change mid-way through a contract, the care agency will be unable to adapt accordingly. This could lead to an inadequate level of care and support being provided, or the individual not being able to access the services they need.

What Do You Need to be Sure of Before Hiring Someone?

Whichever employment route is chosen - direct or via an agency -it will be essential to ensure that your PA is adequately trained and experienced in providing the care required, as well as having the emotional maturity and capacity to handle any challenging situations that may arise.

If you are choosing your own PA and hiring them directly, it will also be important to ensure that rigorous background checks are carried out. This includes both a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and personal references from two previous and recent employers. The DBS check will reveal any criminal convictions or cautions held against an individual. These checks will give an employer an insight into the PA's background, overall character and past working habits. Furthermore, conducting a professional reference check can provide employers with an understanding of the individual's qualifications, experience, and areas of expertise which could be beneficial for their needs.

How Do You Set Yourself Up as An Employer?

If you choose the direct employment route, you will need to set yourself up as individual employer in the UK and HMRC and payroll considerations will have to be taken into account. It is essential that employers register with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within three months of paying their employee’s wages or paying expenses for their work.  

When setting up as an individual employer in the UK, apart from HMRC and payroll considerations, there are a few ways depending on the personal care assistant's employment status. Depending on contract length, employers may be able to choose the following option for setting up their payroll: a Business PAYE Scheme (BPS).

A Business PAYE Scheme (BPS) is a great option for employers looking to set up payroll for their personal care assistant. Under the BPS scheme, employers can choose to pay their employee bi-weekly or monthly based on the contract length. This scheme allows employers to register with HMRC, and pay their employee’s salary.

When employing a personal care assistant in the UK, it is important to ensure they are provided with all their necessary entitlements. These include the right to be paid at least minimum wage, as well as holiday pay and statutory sick pay.

Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/register-employer

It may seem daunting becoming an employer but we can support you through this process step by step. Contact UKCIL today for more information.

A stairlift is an invaluable piece of equipment for many people with mobility issues. It can make all the difference in terms of getting around the home safely and confidently. If you’re considering purchasing one for a family member or loved one, there are some important points to keep in mind. Read on to learn more about how to arrange a stairlift for someone you care about.

The Benefits Of A Stairlift

A stairlift is designed to help people with reduced mobility travel up and down stairs safely, quickly and easily. It provides independence, comfort and reassurance, as well as reducing the risk of falls and injury from attempting to use the stairs without assistance. There are several types of stairlifts available depending on individual needs – curved or straight, indoor or outdoor – so it’s important to consider which type will best suit your needs before making any decisions.

Choosing The Right Model For Your Needs

When assessing which model is right for you, there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration – such as size, weight capacity and overall design. You should also think about whether you’ll need additional features such as folding arms or a swivel seat. All these details can be discussed with an experienced supplier who can help guide your decision-making process. Once you have chosen the right model, it’s time to arrange installation.

Arranging Installation Of Your Stairlift

Installation should always be carried out by qualified professionals who know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to stairlifts – safety must come first! They will take into account factors like height restrictions and narrow corridors in order to ensure that everything fits perfectly into place without compromising safety standards or causing any damage in the process. Once installation has been completed, your loved one will be able to enjoy their new found independence and freedom within their own home once again.

Conclusion

Having a stairlift installed in your home can be life-changing for anyone with reduced mobility – providing comfort, security and much-needed independence all at once! When arranging a stairlift for someone special, it’s important to take into consideration factors like size, weight capacity and design when selecting the right model for your needs – as well as choosing qualified professionals who understand how best to install it safely and securely in your home environment. With these tips in mind, you can be sure that your loved one has all they need to get around their own home easily every day.

Skills for Care are funding Moving & Handling Training that is being delivered by WECIL. Carers have the chance to expand their care skills, by getting accredited certification in Moving & Handling, with Infection Control on 1 March 2022.

What is Moving and Handling?

Working within healthcare and social care often involves moving, lifting or otherwise manually handling people. With this in mind, moving and handling training programmes are designed to highlight the risks and requirements associated with manual handling.

Safe moving and handling requires healthcare employees to know the correct procedures for moving adults and children without causing injury to either themselves or the person they are supporting.

This includes learning to use hoists and other aids, and being aware of the legislation surrounding moving and handling. Training may include the moving & handling of patients or general moving & handling training.

This course is very popular, at no cost to carers and places are limited so sign up as soon as you can. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Register your interest before 23 February 2022.
Interested carers just need to send their name, postcode and confirmation of availability to
info@ukcil.com

Follow UKCIL on Socials to stay tuned into the latest news on PA jobs and training.

If you or someone you love has dementia, you might be wondering how you can make life easier for those suffering from the disease.

Research conducted by the NHS has shown that there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, and this number is actually increasing year-on-year as people live longer. Symptoms that you need to be aware of are things like loss of memory and coordination, as well as mood swings and sensitivity to external stimuli such as light and sound.

Many people with Alzheimer's choose to live at home, with a PA or with their family, but creating a dementia-friendly home can be confusing. There are so many things to consider that you might be wondering where to start with making your space more comfortable for a loved one with this condition.

But there are some very simple things that you can do to make your home more accessible, and by breaking them down, it becomes much easier to begin. Here's how to make your home dementia-friendly.

1. Maximise natural lighting

Having lots of natural light in their house will not only make it more pleasant to live in, but it will also make it much easier for those suffering from dementia symptoms  to see where they are going, making falls and injuries less likely. As dementia affects how quickly we react to situations, this can be a big help in making their house more accessible. Being able to see better also means dementia sufferers can identify signs, people, and facial expressions — the very thing that will make them more comfortable in their home.

Natural light also brings other benefits. An article by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) also says that natural light is helpful for dementia because it promotes vitamin D production, which can aid the regulation of emotions and therefore help to level out mood swings.

2.    Minimise noise

Noise can be a real problem for those with dementia, as the disease makes them more sensitive to sound, and so it's easy for over-stimulation to become an issue. Another article by the SCIE explains that this is not only because dementia can alter how a person experiences both noise and light, it's also because hearing is linked to balance. This means that changes in hearing can affect people's movement, as well as being overwhelming for those experiencing it.

Many noises can't be hugely mitigated, for instance bathrooms always have particularly echoey acoustics. However, where possible, install more soft furnishings, carpets, and fabrics like rugs to absorb sound and make it easier for your loved one, for whom noise might be too much.

It can also be useful to avoid playing music and trying to talk to a dementia sufferer at the same time, as it will be difficult for them to concentrate on both sources of stimuli. A more intensive solution is to soundproof certain rooms, such as the room your loved one sleeps in. But if this isn't possible, reducing noise and being mindful of when you play music or have the TV on can go a long way.

3.   Specialist furniture

Adding the right furniture can be a great way of making spaces more accessible for those with various conditions, and dementia patients can benefit massively from having comfortable and suitable pieces in their homes. Always use chairs with backs and arms to ensure that your loved one is supported when they sit down. These features will also aid them when they go to get back up again, helping them mitigate the ways that the condition affects their balance and movement.

Chairs that have tilt and reclining properties are also ideal, as this allows people to adjust the furniture to their desired level, and they can assist with standing or sitting. Many also have remote controls, with which the user can control the chair, offering a dementia patient more control over their environment, ensuring they have more freedom to move and more independence.

4.   Avoid reflections

Make sure that you take out or minimise the mirrors throughout the house. People suffering with dementia often find it emotionally difficult and confusing to see their own reflection, so it's much easier to minimise the reflections they encounter to avoid distress. Bathrooms, bedrooms, and the living room should all be free from mirrors, so that this is never a worry.

This will make it easier for your loved one to concentrate on their surrounding environment, without being distracted by their reflection. You can also draw the curtains at windows when it gets dark, as your windows can produce reflections that are almost like looking in a mirror.

If your loved one is suffering from dementia, it can feel overwhelming to rearrange your space so that it will suit their needs. But, by starting with these tips, you can create a home that is comfortable for them, helps them navigate the house, and allows them to gain more day-to-day independence.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these insights on how to create a dementia-friendly home from Alison Hughes at Coast Road Furniture.

As we age, travelling between floors in your own home becomes a challenge. Mobility or respiratory issues can slow you down, and there’s always the risk of falling or tripping leading to serious injury. Moving to a bungalow, apartment, or assisted housing is one solution but all that upheaval can be costly and stressful, and it means leaving behind a lot of precious memories. So, it’s understandable you’d rather consider adapting your home instead.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to modify your stairs, making them easier to climb while reducing the risk of an accident. Below, I’ll share five of the best.

Install a handrail

As you begin to find stairs more difficult to climb, something as simple as handrails on either side can help take some of the pressure off. They can steady your posture, take on some of your weight, and just give you the confidence you need to go up and down your staircase independently. Some handrails have bars that fold out horizontally and move up and down with you, so you can grip them with both hands. These can be particularly helpful if you have mobility issues or tend to get tired easily.

Increase visibility

It’s important that your staircase is adequately lit, particularly if you’re experiencing problems with your eyesight. Aside from the overhead lights and lamps on your landing that you may already have, you can also look into LED lights on the steps themselves or attached to the wall. This extra illumination can help you identify trip hazards and you’ll be less likely to lose your footing.

Create non-slip steps

Many non-carpeted surfaces, such as wood or laminate, can be easy to slip on, so I would suggest installing a carpet on your stairs if they aren’t carpeted already. If you already have carpet that is old, there may be worn areas or even tears that could become trip hazards, so monitor their condition often and consider having new carpets fitted sooner rather than later.

Keep stairways clear

I know many households where people treat the steps of their staircase like shelving. People often leave Items on steps temporarily with the intention to take them up with them next time they go upstairs, or even permanently storing things like baskets of shoes or post to save space in their hallway. But, as mobility becomes more difficult, it's not always easy to navigate around a cluttered staircase, and many trips and falls can happen as a result. So, it’s best to keep each step clear and tidy at all times.

Consider installing stairlifts

If ascending and descending really becomes a struggle, you could consider having a stairlift installed. There are all kinds of stairlifts to choose from, including sitting and standing stairlifts, and modern technology means that they’re much less bulky today than they were 10 or 20 years ago. So, even if you live in a small home or have a narrow staircase, there’s may an appropriate model available to suit you.

There are many reasons why a trip up or downstairs can become more difficult as we age. The tips in this guide can help you decide how to make safe your stairs, or the stairs of an elderly loved one.

Please note that these are suggestions only and you should always seek the advice of a health and safety professional when making adjustments to your home. Stair Rods Direct, or UKCIL is not liable for accident or injury resulting from this advice.

Staircases of all shapes and sizes can be tricky for the elderly to navigate. Nick Acaster, Managing Director of Stair Rods Direct, shares his advice for making them easier and safer for vulnerable people.

If you have an elderly parent living at home, or a loved one with any long-term ailment, then hiring a personal care assistant to take care of your parents can ensure their safety and well-being. Caregivers can improve their quality of life and help patients out with their day-to-day lives.

How does one go about hiring a personal care assistant? First, asking the right questions during an interview can help you assess if the person you wish to hire is the right candidate or not. After all, their professional skills and personality should make you and your loved ones feel at ease during first impressions.

These are five must-ask questions when you hire a personal care assistant:

1. Ask to see their CV and identification
   This is an imperative part of the process and identity documents should be requested before or when your PA is interviewed. From your PA's CV, you will be able to learn whether or not they hold any prior experience in the field or care. Your loved one may require their caregiver to have some specific skills; the CV of your candidate will indicate whether or not these skills are possessed. Additionally, ask them about their abilities as a caregiver. Asking for CVs beforehand will also help you shortlist candidates for the position. You should also ask if they are okay with running a background check based on the information they provide you on their CV and during the initial interview e.g. a DBS or CRB check.
2. Prepare questions to predict their behaviour
   The questions that you ask will give you an insight into your PA's thinking process and their degree of compassion. You should ask how the caregiver plans on handling difficult situations. For example, if they are hired as help for an elderly person living at home, and the person has suffered a sudden medical emergency, is not taking their medication, or is behaving angrily, what will the caregiver’s course of action be? You must ensure that the person you are hiring knows how to deal with all challenges the job may present.
3. How will they handle specific medical conditions
   The patient for whom the PA is responsible for providing home care assistance might be an elderly person, someone with Alzheimer’s, and or they may have some other specific medical condition. Asking about their experience with specific medical conditions is aimed at understanding whether they have the skills for the job or not. It also helps you understand what their work methodology is, and helps explains clearly to them the responsibilities that will be expected of them.
4. Ask them to talk about themselves
   What aspects of themselves do they want to talk about? This includes how talkative they are, what their hobbies and interests are - this will help you to understand the candidate better, as well as gain insight into their personality. Having a difference in interests is not a reason to reject them; however, mutual interests will provide a good opportunity for your loved ones to feel more connected with their caregiver. Hiring an extrovert personal care assistant for an introverted patient, for example, may not make your loved one feel at ease.
5. Know their expectations about the job
   It is necessary from your end to make the role and responsibilities of the caregiver clear to them when first hiring the candidate. They must be compliant with providing the care that is required for the patient. They might have to perform additional outside tasks as needed, rather than work within the four walls of the house, such as getting groceries and buying medicine for the patient. Telling the candidate their exact set of duties, and knowing whether or not they are willing to do them, is an important thing to understand. Agreement in these areas will then lead to a legally binding contract for both parties to sign and keep on file.

Hiring a personal care assistant to work closely with your loved ones at home requires them to feel comfortable with their caregiver. Don’t be disheartened if the first few candidates don’t match your needs, and don’t end up making hasty decisions regarding the hiring process. In your interview, ask questions that will make you understand whether or not the candidate possesses the required skills for the job, and whether or not that person will be able to make you and your loved one feel at ease.

UKCIL helps individual employers find, meet and hire their own personal care assistants, directly and independently. If you'd like to know more or just want a chat with someone whose done this before, feel free to call us or drop us a line. Our friendly team is always happy to assist you in any way that's needed.

Being a caregiver can potentially be one of the most rewarding and satisfactory careers. Supporting individuals who require assistance in their daily routine can prove to be a profession that will provide you with immeasurable job satisfaction. Helping people that are genuinely in need will not only feel worthwhile as an experience, but you will, in turn, also contribute immensely to society as this role is especially significant.

If you feel like your call in life is to take care of people, you believe you have a gift in communicating with others easily, and you are capable of accepting the important task of being responsible for the wellbeing and happiness of a person that has to deal with a variety of difficulties every day, then choosing to be a private carer is the ideal career for you. And, there are also a plethora of advantages when taking up this sort of role.

1. Job Satisfaction
   There are numerous jobs that offer reasonable pay but are not necessarily rewarding and they sadly do not provide the right balance between your home and work life. However, by being a caregiver this will not be the case, as you can have gratifying pay, as well as the opportunity to choose your own working hours, and thereby achieve a good work-life balance.
   
   It is amazing how much difference you can make in someone’s life by providing home care help and by making their daily tasks just that little bit easier and more comfortable. Developing a good understanding and broadening your communication skills with people who are different from you, making them feel safe and tending to their everyday needs, are also skills you can ultimately develop by working as a caregiver.
   
   Your main routine will consist of tasks, such as assisting individuals with their own daily activities, making sure they are healthy and safe, helping them by maintaining a clean home environment, cooking nutritious meals, and if need be, assisting with their hygiene needs whenever required.
   
   If you find these tasks enjoyable and worthy of doing on an everyday basis, then pursuing a career as a personal care assistant might be the job you are destined for. Working in supported living is rewarding and provides job satisfaction as you know you have helped to brighten someone's day.
   
2. Learning Experience
   It is true, like with most jobs, that certain daily tasks might be challenging, but at the same time it is important to remember that you are broadening your skills work-wise and life-wise every single day. If you are the sort of person that genuinely enjoys being around people and helping them in any way you can, without finding this tiresome, then you will sail through your day.
   
   Of course, since each person is different it is important that you learn to adapt to the specific needs of the individual you are working with, as someone might have specific medical requests, or dietary restrictions, mobility issues, or other health concerns such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore you will have to carefully cater to the requirements of the person in your care.
   
   It will be your sole responsibility to deliver excellent in home care services, while gaining valuable experience and knowledge along the way.
   
3. Making an Impact
   When a patient smiles at you every time you help them with their needs, the feeling can be exhilarating, as you know that your efforts are making a real impact on their wellbeing. Their family and relatives may also express their gratitude - as they will be able to continue with their own daily routine due to the fact that you are on hand to help, and when they see their loved one being well taken care of.
   
   One example that can be lonely, daunting and tiring for the primary carer, i.e. the friend or family member who is usually present to support their loved, is overnight home care. We have had PAs tell us how the primary carer, they are helping to support, have had tears of joy in their eyes on seeing the second person, the appointed PA, nearby to support their loved one.
   
   This impact on people’s lives is incredibly significant and it is the ultimate joy and satisfaction for someone who genuinely loves to help people. Your efforts and compassion will go a long way in changing the lives of others, even if it is challenging and difficult at times.
   
4. Building Relationships
   As a caregiver, you will have the responsibilities a family member would have when it comes to the person you are looking after, and you will notice that the bond you form can, over time, feel like you are their close family member, and not a paid-for carer.
   
   The individual’s family will probably also develop strong relationships with you and will rely on you for, not only helping their loved one, but for also keeping them informed about their wellbeing. The peace of mind you provide when they are absent will be significant.
   
5. Flexibility
   This job is also unique in the sense that you get to choose your own work hours, days off to spend time with your family, and the volume of work you can do, after discussing these issues with your employer and signing a contract.
   
   There is the flexibility of working just at night or day, weekends only, or doing shift work, and many more options.  Whatever you choose, there is room to find the hours best suited to your availability.
   
6. Variety of work
   Most importantly, one of the great things about this job, is that you are given clear instructions about your duties - like the provision of special medicines, meal plans, personal duties e.g. grooming etc. This can be different for every client and because you may have more than one client it means that there will be plenty of variety in your daily tasks. There is an exceedingly small chance of having that monotonous feeling that most people experience at work.

While the job of a caregiver can be challenging and demanding at times, this really disappears to the background, as the happiness you get to bring into the lives of people that truly need it overcomes all the obstacles you might face along the way.

If you agree with our reasons to be a PA (Personal Care Assistant), see our vacancies here. UKCIL is free for PAs to sign up to, we have already helped 1,000s if people find jobs in care-at-home, while working directly for individual employers who need the care, as opposed through any agencies.

In recently unusual times, where people are being asked to stay at home and follow social distancing guidelines, interviewing a personal care assistant, face-to-face, may be problematic and interviewing via video is possibly the best alternative.

Interviewing over a video call may feel unusual at first. It can be harder to understand and relate to the person in front of you without having them physically present in front of you. This is natural for all of us, but, we it's important, for our own safety, that we adjust to our new environment, during Covid-19, and step outside of our comfort zone to do things we may never have thought of doing before.

Done well, a video interview can help you to learn a lot about the person you are meeting. Here are the most important tips which you can follow to ensure your video interview gives you the information you need on your applicant:

1. Preparing your questions
   Being prepared with a list of questions is the most important thing. Just as you normally would do - in a face-to-face interview, note down questions on a piece of paper before you meet with your applicant(s).
   Your questions can be role-related, candidate- specific, or even more general than that e.g. related to the care sector as a whole.
   First, be sure to ask any questions related to previous experience and stated skills. Maybe ask them what attracted them to the previous roles they worked in and what they liked or disliked about each job - and why. You can also ask them about any challenges they faced and how they overcame these. This will tell you a lot about their attitude to working in a role similar to the one they are now applying for - and, when working in care, attitude is more important than anything (even skills and experience).
   If your requirement is for a carer who needs to help someone with a specific condition, like providing home help for an elderly person, working in autism care or with Aspergers disability, it will be necessary to understand what experience someone has in relation to the condition you need support with. Your questions should ask about the candidate's knowledge of this condition and how they came to learn these things. If the candidate has not worked in this area before, explain the role, perhaps by going over the salient points of your care plan, and ask them to ask you questions. Someone who is really interested should have actively listened and should at least have one question or comment on what you've said.
   Your role-specific questions should request the candidate to elaborate on the key qualities that your role requires.  So, for instance, if timekeeping is crucial to you, you can ask the candidate about what else they like to do and how they manage to fit things in, maybe asking them about tools they use to manage their timekeeping.
   Finally, you may want to include a third small section in your interview on why your interviewee works in care. This is a valid question, for which you need an honest answer. It gives you the chance to understand your applicant's motivations, which will come in handy if you hire them and need to manage them.
   
2. Understanding non-verbal clues
   Although it may feel like a less natural environment, video interviewing can give you clues to someone's personality, by looking at what they don't say, as much as via what they do say. The most important thing is to be prepared e.g. by having questions written down beforehand. And second, if at all possible, invite a third person along to give you a second opinion. This will give one of you the chance to talk, while the other person can concentrate on the applicant's facial expressions.
   Smiles, frowns and reactions to what you are asking and saying are great ways to get a better picture of your candidate. Some other non-verbal clues that may help you can include things like their timekeeping with regards to your interview, the environment they have chosen to be interviewed in and their posture. Keep asking yourself, "Do they look keen? Are they paying attention? Have they listened? Are easily distracted?"
3. Letting your candidate speak
   The more the candidate speaks about themselves, the more you will be able to understand their mindset. You need to be attentive to the information they are giving out. Understand their degree of compassion. Is the comment they made an appropriate response to what you said? Does the story that they have shared have a positive lesson behind it? Read more into the things they say. It will help you rationalise whether or not they will be a suitable candidate for your specific role.
4. Defining the role
   Make the duties of the caregiver clear to them during the video call itself. Not only should there be no surprises when it comes to signing the contract, but the candidate needs to know exactly what duties they will be expected to provide. This is an opportune moment to check their reactions to what you're saying and to ensure that they fully understand what is required of them.
   The most salient points from your care plan will help tremendously. If at any point, you feel this is too long a discussion at this stage - this is something you can set up a second meeting for.
   Remember that while an elderly person may require different types of support with assisted living, someone requiring autism support will have very different needs, perhaps based on their age. The video interview your conduct is a great place to understand if a candidate you like the sound of can meet differing home care assistant requirements.
   If they are unable to understand anything, explain it to them. If they don't react with enthusiasm to your requirements, probe further and ask them why they have this reaction. Ask them what they think the alternative approach should be and discuss any other suggestions they might have. Even if you don't move forward with this candidate, you may well learn something for the future.
5. Conducting multiple interviews
   You may need to have more than one round of interviewing. For instance, if you have complex needs, if are recruiting for more than one PA, or if you have had a high number of candidates apply to your one role.
   You might shortlist your candidates after the first set of interviews. Use the notes you have made on these candidates to understand if you'd like to meet any of them a second time to ask more questions.
   Ask yourself what the pros and cons are, of the individuals you have shortlisted. Is there anything more you want to ask them? Do you want to get something clarified? You can address these things in the second interview to help you choose the best applicant.
   If you weren't able to get a second opinion at first interview, this may be worth doing at second interview stage.

Although it will be worth the effort once your role is filled, hiring a skilled carer can be a difficult journey. Video interviewing will definitely help you to get a better view of your candidates, compared to just seeing their CV.

UKCIL has a safe and easy to set up video interviewing feature, available to all candidates who use our platform. Individual employers using the feature have told us how well it works. They particularly like the fact that you can invite your friend, family member of care support worker into the meeting easily for a second opinion, and they enjoy the fact that their details, as an employer, remain anonymous during and after interview. If you'd like to know find out more about what we do, please email one of our friendly team or call us on 0330 050 8010.

Although it may seem like a daunting task, done well, the right personal care assistant can make a huge difference to your life, as well as that of your loved one - giving them a renewed ability to continue to live independently, in the freedom and comfort of their own home.

From knowing where to look for a personal carer, to interviewing them for the role, to negotiating terms, to writing a contract - there are many things you need to think about when wanting to hire a new carer.

We share below the five areas that you should pay particular attention to, when looking to confidently hire a new private carer for yourself, or your loved.

1. Be Clear About Their Role
   You need to be transparent with your new personal care assistant about what duties you want them to perform. This includes explaining your condition, the aids or support your require and use, sharing with them any support you already have, as well as the things you like to do and the areas you need support with.

This will help your personal care assistant know exactly what is expected of them and before they even apply they can think about how they will contribute to your daily life. You can ask them questions around this in their interview.

Remaining clear about what you want from your PA throughout your search process is just as important as specifying the requirements of the role up front: At shortlisting and interview stages, you may come across personal care assistants who seem uninterested in working with you after they have found out more from you. A word of advice - don't trim down your requirements to make your job more appealing to an uninterested candidate. It is better to find someone who can provide the level of care you need, exactly as you need it.

2. Pay Properly
   Think about this long and hard before you start looking for your new care assistant. Although your requirements may seem obvious to you, they might involve a lot of work from the personal carer's view.

It is a good idea to look at other adverts for similar roles before you start your search, so that you are sure you are paying according to your requirements. A role that underpays carers may not attract the highest quality of candidates.

Once in the role, ensure you are paying on time, as agreed, paying NI contributions and keeping records of your payments. It is also now a legal requirement to having a signed contract in place from day one of employment with your PA, and this should detail specify wages, hours of work, as well as duties.

3. The Interview
   In the interview, you will be able to learn more about your possibly new hire - from their general attitude, skills and experience - to their mindset and methods. You should be able to get a feel for how much they are willing to do, and how flexible they are, when you talk to them about the role.

A great question to ask your PA is why they are interested in applying to your role in particular. Any successful candidate's answer should resonate with your reason for creating the role - it should show their interest in your role and demonstrate that they have thought about why they are applying to you, and how they can meet your requirements.

4. Where to Find PAs
   There are a plethora of options on where to look for PAs. Some avenues will provide stronger candidates who are more expensive, while others can provide people from the other end of the spectrum, where a lot more sifting and sorting needs to be done when it comes to seeing their profiles and CVs. So, often your decision on the route you are going to opt for might be influenced by what you have the resources for.

You can advertise on job boards like Gumtree and even your Facebook account but this might not send forward the most qualified and most earnest candidates. You will need to spend time liaising with interested candidates and find time to shortlist PAs you want to meet with for interview, but if you're lucky, this could be a very cost effective route.

Looking for candidates through agecnies has the advantage of the agency managing that role for you, once they have placed someone with you. The agencyh will manage pay, NI, the conrtact and provide holiday and sick leave cover ettc if and when required. However, this service does come at a premium, involving high agency fees, and so it is often seen as a last-resort route by most people looking for a PA.

A great alternative to both of the above is to use a platform like UKCIL to independently find your next PA and get the best of both worlds - a wide choice of readily available PAs, at a very low price: With UKCIL, you use technology to your advantage - advertising and reaching out to thousands of good, local PAs via one straight-forward posting and managing the hiring process, from interviewing to downloading ready-made contracts, in a few simple steps. Not only do you save time, but you can save £1,000s over the year, depending on how many times you need to hire - because, as long, as you're the same employer, you can hire as many times as you need during the course of your 12-month subscription.

5. Have a Contract
   Once you have decided on a skilled carer you would like to hire, you should create a contract to include the duties your PA is expected to perform, their salary, hours, duties and boundaries you have agreed to. It should be legally compliant. Having a contract will ensure that you are financially and legally covered while employing a personal care assistant at home. We have included an easy-to-use, downloadable employment contract, that is available to all our customers on UKCIL.

We hope the five areas we have highlighted in this article help to ease the process of finding a new PA. If you'd like to talk to any of the friendly team at UKCIL about different in-home care services and how we can help you to find your own private carers, just pick up the phone to us or email us. We'd love to hear from you.

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, everyone in the world suffered, especially the elderly. They were, and still are, asked to stay home as much as possible, as they are considered to be one of the most vulnerable groups within our communities.

Although lockdown restrictions have eased, they are still affected, and considering it's over such a long period of time, this can take its toll and contribute towards making them feel more lonely.

What can we all do in this situation to cheer our grandparents up? Here are 5 lovely ideas we'd like to share with you.

1. Stay Connected
   Though you may not be physically present, technology makes it so much easier to stay close to them. Connecting over a phone or video call with your grandparents amidst this crisis can cheer them up no end and can help to make them feel connected with the outside world. Just get your phone, dial up your grandparents and let them know that you are remembering them. It's as simple as that really. If you'd like to, and if it's possible, you can tell them when you can talk regularly and pre-agree a time - that way they have something to look forward to. It can make all the difference to them when they are home alone all day.
   
   Making phone or video calls on a regular basis is the first thing that can bring a smile to your grandparent's face. On the other hand, you'll also do well to remember that they are the generation who used to write letters and send greeting cards to stay connected with their loved ones. And this is something you can do too. Engaging in this nostalgia-evoking tradition, could make them so happy, if you can find the time to do it.
   
2. Engage in Activities Together
   Doing things together may seem difficult when you live far away from your grandparents or when you only have chance to visit them occasionally, but it's not impossible and engaging with them by participating in certain activities can help to cheer up them up no end. You can use the time together to foster and develop joint hobbies and / or to learn from the wisdom of your grandparents, helping to create happy memories together.  The hobby you choose could be anything which they enjoy doing. It may be something they did when they were younger and enjoy sharing with you now - or just something completely new that you would both like to do afresh.
   
   If you live away, or are only visiting once in a while, you could begin your hobby together and then catch up about it over the phone to compare notes. Popular activities people consider include gardening. So, for instance, once you've planted together, you could take one plant each and discuss how you're both looking after it and how it's growing and sprouting.
   
   Another idea might be to take up painting and you could paint the same things and compare these with one another even though you there is physical distance between you. You might do a mini book club where you read and compares views on different types of books. Alternatively you can get all sorts of arts and crafts activities delivered to your homes. Whatever you choose, doing something 'together' will help you nurture your relationship, and most importantly for now, keep your grandparents happy and connected to you.
   
   If your grandparent is a little more tech savvy, find a game you can play with them remotely - anything that moves at a gentle pace. So, it could be an online crossword, hangman or scrabble. There are so many apps to choose from, you're bound to find something that you both enjoy - something that adds precious new shared experiences to your relationship.
   
3. Offer Home-Care
   Your grandparents may be looking for assisted living and require private carers in their day-to-day life. This can help them with various activities, especially if they have conditions which mean they are unable to do it all by themselves. In such circumstances, and in the face of Covid-19, people are understandably reluctant to want to move into care homes. So it might be worth considering bringing in care at home to support them to continue to live independently.
   
   Finding someone who is well versed in home care and specialises with particular conditions in older people can make all the difference to your grandparent. They can hire personal care assistants from just a few hours in the week, or even on a temporary basis, until all Covid-19 related restrictions ease. UKCIL is a useful platform that allows anyone looking for care at home to do this. You can use it for one low, annual subscription to find local personal care assistants who are experienced in helping the elderly with their daily tasks, however needed.
   
   As we age, it is commonplace for us to forget things. Combine this with a lack of contact and reduction in associated stimulation, exacerbated by recent events, it is only natural that even the best of us might start to feel unhappy. Further, with more than 1 in 14 of the UK population, aged 65 years or over, suffering from dementia or Alzheimers, hiring someone, who is specifically experienced in providing dementia care at home or Alzheimers care, can benefit them tremendously with their daily tasks.
   
4. Assist Them With Daily Activities
   Helping your grandparents with groceries, post office trips and the collection of essential supplies like medicines during the current COVID-19 situation, will be helpful. It will protect them, make them feel supported and loved by you and follow government best practise guidelines, advising elderly people to stay home wherever possible in order to remain safe.
   
   Of course you need to offer - and not compel - your grandparents to take your help, as the last thing you want is to take away their autonomy, but, even just by offering, you will show them that you are there for them. What's more, if they actually let you run some errands for them, like collecting groceries, paying bills, getting medicines, or walking the dog, you will be physically helping them too.
   
5. Keep Them Active
   We all need physical activity and fresh air and your grandparents are no different. Supporting them to remain active can help increase their mobility, reduce pains, and improve their digestion and immunity - as long as, most importantly, you remember to go at their pace.
   
   While they cannot go out as much as they normally would, you need to find ways to keep them engaged in their fitness routines. If you're not sure, or you want some variety, look online for ideas or ask their doctor, at their next appointment, for alternate activities to keep them engaged at home. You'll find a little exercise daily goes a long way to improving their mood and cheering them up, while keeping them healthy.

The restrictions of the Covid-19 crisis means that it can become difficult for your grandparents to cope with this changed situation, as they are advised to stay at home as much as possible and not meet anyone physically, over what is becoming a longer period of time. In extreme cases, they might begin to feel that the world is ostracising older people - even if it is for their wellbeing. Paying a little attention to how you can still spend quality time 'together' to show your grandparents how much they mean to you, is always worth doing - especially in currently difficult times.

While there is a lot to be said for spending time with your parents and providing them with your support by being physically present for them, your employment or other commitments may prevent you from spending as much time with them as you'd really like.

If your parents are ageing and unable to do as much as they once did, this can be a cause for concern with regards to their well-being and safety. However there are some things you can do to take care of your ageing parents from afar and we hope our advice below helps you.

1. Technology driven communication
   Technology is making is easier and easier for all of us to stay in touch with our loved ones these days, from wherever we might be in the world.In fact, internet usage for the over 75s has more than doubled from 20 to 40% in the last ten years and it is still rising quickly.
   
   To stay connected with your parents, call them on a regular basis. Hearing your voice, even for just a few minutes, as often as you can in the week, can make a welcome change for them and brighten your parent's day.
   
   If they are not already doing so, teach your parent how to answer - and eventually make - video calls. If they are not tech-savvy, you could find an app with a larger than usual and easy-to-use interface. You can guide them on how to use it. A close friend or neighbour might also be able to help them out, if you pre-agree your first few calls. Schedule calls around their routine, and at times that are convenient for both of you - when you both can engage and communicate with each other, for short or long durations.
   
   The other thing that will help your parent is learning how to text. This can be a quick and easy way for them to get in touch with you, especially if you are busy. If they don't already use it, teach them how to. Remember to be patient and kind, as they once were with you when you were learning from them. As long as they want to learn, you can invariably help them to do so. And, if possible, always try and immediately acknowledge their texts when they reach out to you. Even if you can't give them the answer they need right away, just tell them you have their text and tell them when you might be able to respond. This provides a lot of reassurance, as your parent will feel heard.
   
   You can get phones with all sort of features, that anyone elderly might find particularly helpful in their everyday life. There are phones with big screens, big butttons, those that are lightweight and those with a longer-than-usual battery life. Some can be easier to use, more durable or have particlarly strong reception built in and of course there are those that are just more fairly priced overall. Have a search on the internet to find the most suitable option for your parent.

2. Hire an At-Home Carer
   Of course, you parent might have more complex needs, perhaps because they require Alzheimer's support or dementia care at home. If this is the case they may need more help with their daily routine and for this you might need to consider hiring an at-home carer.
   
   While you cannot be there yourself, and the additional pair of hands to help at home might be necessary, hopefully they will be welcomed by your parent.
   
   Care at home is a common choice, when admitting your parent into a care home is not essential, because it allows your parent to live independently in the comfort of their own home. A personal care assistant or PA can help your parent to carry out their daily tasks and sites like UKCIL can help you with meeting a new local carer, quickly and affordably.

3. Plan Visits
   While connecting via calls is a great option, nothing can beat a personal visit when you're able to do so.
   
   You should coordinate your visit with your parent and their primary caregiver, in advance of going. You could base your visits for when the caregiver is looking to get away to do something, or when they need a break. Joining your parents in simple activities that they like, or for a meal, will be a good way to spend time with them and to relax with them.
   
   If you can't make it for a while, do something traditional and send them a letter via the post, or a little gift (even a little chocolate or sweet) - just to show you are thinking of them. There are so many little ways to be thoughtful that will be hugely valued by your parents.

4. Make an Emergency Plan
   It is necessary to have a pre-agreed, concrete plan in place for your parents and yourself, just in case of an emergency.
   
   Think about things like who your parents should call in the first instance - not only does it need to be someone trusted, it might need to be someone who is living locally to them, as they may need to reach your parent in a hurry. This person should understand your parent's medical condition, and any problems they have. Your parent, and if applicable their primary caregiver, should really have a list of emergency numbers they can call should the need arise.
   
   Secondly, leaving your parent and their caregiver, where appropriate, with emergency funds might also be necessary, so leave a just-in-case fund in advance of any emergency arising, for a rainy day that might require it. This might just be money for a taxi to their GP or the hospital if needed, or it may cover other eventualities that are specific to the needs of your parent.
   
   Thirdly, think about what else they might need due to their physical or medical condition. For instance if they are a dementia or Alzheimer's sufferer, you can get them a customisable medical identify bracelet which details their name, condition and emergency contacts.Finally, it's worth considering getting your parent a personal alarm, which can call for someone if the person wearing them has a fall or problem at home. Worn around the neck as a pendant or around the wrist as a bracelet, they are triggered if someone has a fall or fit. There are other home security options and tracking devices, and it is worth researching these when looking after your parent from afar.
   

5. A good local support network
   If you are living far away from your parents yourself, a local network that is available for your parent - maybe consisting of people like their doctor, their carer, a good friend or neighbour - are very valuable and important people. They can assist your parents during emergencies, until you can get there, so whenever you come to visit, make sure you meet them and are familiar with them.
   
   Remember to keep the contact numbers of these important people handy (for you, and your parent) and remember that you might have to periodically check that the details you have are up-to-date.
   
   As well as keeping in regular contact, show your appreciation to this support network - whether that's by sending them a thank you note now and then, by offering them a cuppa next time you see them, or simply by listening to them when they see you and want to talk.

As you can see, just because you live at some distance, it does not mean that you cannot do anything to help your parents out. Try not to feel guilty. Instead, put in place some practical steps to ensure you are doing your part to support your parent(s) from afar, letting your parent(s) feel your support and love in that way.