If you’re looking to bring a carer into your home to support a loved one, it’s an important decision — both personally and professionally. The demand for quality in-home care is rising, and when you’re becoming the employer, there’s a lot to consider beyond simply finding the right person
1) Identify Your Needs Clearly
Begin by assessing exactly what kind of support is needed. Do you require someone for general assistance around the home? Or does the role involve personal care, mobility support, medical tasks or specialist needs? Defining the hours, tasks and skills needed will help you find the right carer.
2) Explore Your Options
Look into the different ways of engaging a carer: using an independent self-employed carer, via an agency, or by becoming a direct employer yourself. Investigate local providers or directories, ask for recommendations from professionals or friends, and check relevant registrations or certifications.
3) Set Your Budget
Setting a budget and salary isn’t just about the carer’s hourly or daily rate. You’ll need to consider tax, National Insurance (NI), pension contributions, holiday pay, and possibly agency fees or other overheads like transportation or specialised equipment costs. Look into whether you have any options available, such as personal savings, government assistance programs, or long-term care insurance. Once you’ve decided on your salary, you may want to consider investing in a payroll service to help you manage these costs accurately.
4) Interview and Shortlist Candidates
Once you’ve identified potential carers, arrange interviews. Ask about their experience, qualifications, availability and how they handle specific tasks or medical conditions. Compatibility with your household and the care recipient is also key.
5) Conduct Checks & Review References
Obtain references from previous employers or clients, and contact them to verify reliability, punctuality and performance. It’s also wise to conduct background checks such as a DBS check to ensure the carer has no criminal record.
6) Clarify Employment Terms & Payroll Setup
As the employer, you’ll need clear contracts or agreements covering pay rate, hours, duties, holiday entitlement and notice-period, along with your payroll arrangements. Decide whether you are running payroll yourself or using a payroll provider. Ensure you understand your obligations: payslips, tax/NI deductions, pension auto-enrolment, and year-end filings. Getting this right from the start avoids problems later. You may wish to consult with a legal adviser on this.
7) Begin with a Trial Period
When you appoint a carer, it’s helpful to build in a trial period. This allows you and the carer to assess how the role works in practice — how the carer fits with the person being supported and how the hours and tasks align. Review the arrangement after the trial and adjust as needed.
8) Ongoing Management & Communication
Once the arrangement is in place, maintain regular communication with your carer. Set up agreed ways to track changes in duties or health needs, and ensure payroll is handled promptly and accurately. Conduct periodic reviews to ensure everything is working smoothly. A clear and consistent administrative process underpins a calm and effective care relationship.
9) Use Support Networks & Specialist Help
As the employer of a carer, you’re operating in a somewhat specialist space — part-care provider, part-employer. It makes sense to plug into support networks, ask for advice from payroll or employment-law specialists, and consider using a dedicated payroll service tailored to carers. These networks and services can simplify your role and reduce risk.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a carer into your home is a meaningful step — one that can greatly enhance care and quality of life. But as you take on the employer role, it’s crucial to plan not only for the person you hire but also for the payroll, tax, employment-law and administrative responsibilities that go along with it. By being clear about your needs, choosing the right carer, and arranging reliable payroll support from day one, you’ll set the foundation for a positive and professional relationship.