Become a live-in carer

You need at least six months of paid care experience, for example in home care, a care home or supported living. Live-in experience helps, but it is not essential. If you have not worked live-in before, we will talk honestly about what the role involves, such as living in someone else's home for weeks at a time, and whether it suits you. Many of our best carers started with a short respite placement to see how they found it.

No. Our live-in care is introductory: you work as a self-employed carer, and we introduce you to families and agree the placement. You are paid your weekly fee for each placement, and you are responsible for your own tax and National Insurance as a self-employed person. We stay in touch throughout every placement to support you, arrange handovers and relief cover, and help if anything isn't working.

Weekly rates are typically £950–£1,200 a week, depending on the support needed. Placements for people living with dementia, with more complex needs, or for a couple pay more. You see the weekly rate before you accept any placement, and your food is provided by the household during the placement, along with your own private room. Many carers work a regular rota, which gives a steady income while leaving whole weeks free at home.

Most placements run for two to six weeks at a time. Some carers prefer a regular rota with the same family, for example two weeks on and two weeks off, sharing the role with a second carer. Others enjoy variety and take short respite placements or care after a hospital discharge. You choose the placements and rotas that suit your life, and we try to keep you with families you work well with.

Yes. Every placement includes a daily break of around two hours, usually while the person you support rests or a family member is around, and your own private bedroom. You sleep at night: if someone needs regular help through the night, we discuss extra support with the family. Between placements, we arrange a relief carer so you can go home and rest, and you decide how much time you take off.

It is not essential, but it helps, particularly in rural parts of Surrey, Kent and Sussex, where shops and appointments can be a drive away. Some families let carers use their car for shopping and appointments, in which case they arrange the insurance. If you use your own car, make sure your insurance covers business use. Each placement tells you whether driving is needed before you accept it.

No. Live-in carers help with personal care, medication prompts, meals, the home, getting out and about and companionship. Clinical tasks, such as injections, wound care and catheter changes, are carried out by GPs, district nurses and other health professionals, who carry on visiting as usual. Your role is to support the person day to day, notice changes early and keep the family and health team informed.