What Is a Self-Employed Live-In Carer? | AtHome Care Group - 3-minute read

Aug 24

Written By H M

Here are some common quick-fire questions and answers you may be looking for:

What Is a Self-Employed Live-In Carer and how do I find one?

A self-employed live-in carer is an independent care professional who stays in a client's home and provides agreed one-to-one care and support. The carer works directly with the client rather than being employed and managed by a traditional care agency.

AtHome Care Group is a UK introductory care agency that connects families with vetted, self-employed carers for live-in care, respite care, hourly care and companionship. We have over 1500 registered care givers on our platform all over England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, offering all types of live-in, Hourly, overnight and supported care arrangements.

How does self-employed live-in care work?

With an introductory care model, the family chooses a suitable independent carer and agrees the care arrangement directly with them.

The carer normally lives in the client's home for an agreed period and provides support according to the person's needs.

AtHome Care Group helps families identify and connect with suitable carers but does not employ the carers it introduces.

What does a live-in carer do?

A live-in carer may provide:

Personal care
Washing and dressing support
Mobility assistance
Meal preparation
Companionship
Shopping and errands
Light household tasks
Support attending appointments
Medication prompting where appropriate
Support with specific conditions like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Mobility issues, Parkinson's or Strokes
Respite care
Hospital discharge support

The exact duties depend on the individual client and the experience of the chosen carer.

Is a self-employed carer the same as a private carer?

The terms self-employed carer, private carer and independent carer are often used to describe carers who work directly for clients rather than being employed by a care agency.

What is the difference between an introductory agency and a managed care agency?

An introductory care agency connects clients with independent carers.

A managed care provider usually employs or directly manages its carers and controls how the care service is delivered.

AtHome Care Group operates as an introductory agency where carers over see, direct and manage the care they deliver

This means families have greater involvement in choosing the person who will actually provide their care and setting the terms of engagement with the carer directly

Why do families choose self-employed live-in carers?

Common reasons include:

Remaining in their own home
Having one-to-one support
Greater continuity of care
Choosing their own carer
Keeping pets
Keeping couples together
Maintaining familiar routines
Avoiding unnecessary residential care

For many people, remaining at home is an important part of maintaining independence.

Does a live-in carer work 24 hours a day?

No. Live-in care means the carer lives in the client's home, but it does not mean one person provides continuous active care for 24 hours.

The carer requires appropriate rest, breaks and sleeping time.

Can a live-in carer help someone with dementia or specific conditions?

Yes. Many independent carers have substantial experience supporting people living with dementia and many other conditions like Parkinsons, Alzhimers’s, MS, Mobility issues, Stroke and heart-related issues.

How do I choose a self-employed live-in carer?

There are a few factors to consider:

Experience: Has the carer supported similar needs?

Personality: Will the service user feel comfortable living with them?

Communication: Can the carer communicate well?

Availability: Can they cover the required dates or rota a family may prefer?

Driving: Is driving needed? If so does the family have a car the carer could use?

Matching is about more than qualifications.

A successful live-in arrangement also depends on personality, lifestyle and overall compatibility.

What checks should an independent carer have?

Families should establish what checks have been completed before engaging a carer. If you are viewing carers registered with AtHome, at a minimum we check Right to Work documentation, ID verification documents, DBS documents, and we ask for CV, Experience, References, proof of address, training and qualifications.

Does a live-in carer need their own bedroom?

Yes. A live-in carer normally requires a clean, comfortable and private bedroom.

They should also have reasonable access to bathroom, kitchen and household facilities.

Who pays a self-employed live-in carer?

Under an independent arrangement, the carer usually agrees their rate directly with the client and is paid directly for the care they provide.

The introductory agency charges separately for its introduction and support service.

Families should always ask for a clear breakdown of charges when comparing live-in care options.

In some cases, families will receive funding for the care they need, and this can vary depending where you live.

Our Role:

AtHome strives to connect clients directly with suitable, carefully vetted care professionals. Our aim is to help families access high-quality care while giving them greater choice, control and transparency over both their care arrangements and their finances.