Find your next self-employed, live-in care job
As one of the UK’s longest-serving care agencies, our list of clients is ever-growing, and we are always looking for more carers. As an introductory home care agency, our role is to match the best possible carer to our clients based on mutual interests, personality, and location.
At Country Cousins you’ll be more than a carer, you need to have a passion for caring and be able to support clients with a range of care needs, shopping, cooking, domestic duties, as well as companionship.
We believe that our carers become an extension of our clients’ family – therefore personal qualities, hobbies and interests are of the utmost importance when matching our carers to our clients. A thoroughly professional approach is also important, plus the ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of clients and their loved ones.
In return, as a self-employed carer you’ll have the flexibility to balance your work life with your home life. We will offer you assignments ranging from 2 to 12 weeks long, earning up to £3,985 across a 4-week assignment.
We’re always on the look out for carers to join our growing team across the UK.
What we're looking for
Step 1 - Call Us
Call us and have a no obligation, confidential, conversation with one of our team to discuss your care needs.
Step 2 - Register
You will go into more detail with a member of our expert care team who will take the time to really understand your requirements.
Step 3 - Begin Care
Our highly skilled team of Customer Relationship Executives will then identify and match you with the perfect live-in carer.
Apply to become a self-employed live-in carer today
We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency and have been providing compassion care to those who need it in their own homes since 1959. Join our growing team and existing base of over 1,500 carers.
Self employed live-in carer FAQs
We offer live-in care assignments across the UK. You will live in the client’s home and be on hand to help provide care, cook for them and undertake household tasks. Assignments are typically 2 – 6 weeks’ long. During the Covid-19 pandemic however we are also asking our carers to consider placements of up to 12 weeks in order to safeguard our client’s against exposure to multiple individuals.
Our recommended daily rates range between £103 – £142 per day, meaning you can earn up to £4,300 (before tax) in a single month, more if working bank holidays within that period.
You can also claim travel expenses and will have accommodation and most food provided for you by your clients.
Bank Holiday pay rates are double the standard rates.
Travel allowance – This should always be agreed in advance of the assignment. You can charge for travel on arrival and departure.
Client meals – Carers are there to prepare meals for the client(s) they are looking after; should additional family members, or guests, wish to have food prepared then this needs to be agreed in advance.
Work and rest time – Though live-in care is unmeasured work, daily average hours should be a maximum of 10 hours care, plus a 2-hour break at a time suitable to the Client. Should care be required during this period additional support should be arranged.
Waking fee – If you are woken during the night by the client and are providing day services only, you can charge a “waking fee”. This charge is set at £12 for a single call and raises to a maximum of £24 should several calls occur. Multiple awakenings need to be flagged to the Country Cousins team.
You will be responsible for invoicing clients directly each week for any expenses incurred.
If you meet the following criteria, we would love to hear from you:
- Do you have the right to work in the UK?
- Do you have at least 6 months’ experience and possess up to date training certificates or be willing to pay for training?
- Are you well-spoken, and fluent in written and spoken English?
- Are you organised, with effective communication and reporting skills?
- Are you honest, kind, respectful, gentle in nature and above all, always prepared to go the extra mile for clients?
- Are you happy to provide care for clients, including those with dementia?
- Are you physically fit and able to cope with demanding daily routines and household tasks?
- Do you possess good cooking skills and have experience running and maintaining a home?
- Do you like animals and are you happy to in a house with pets? This is desirable but not compulsory.
- Do you hold a valid a driving license? This is desirable but not compulsory.
- Country Cousins cannot sponsor applicants or assist those needing to obtain a work visa.
Yes – you need to have a minimum of 6 months’ experience in a care setting and evidence of professional development including any training certificates.
No, we are unable to sponsor applicants or assist those needed to obtain a work visa. Only those with a right to work in the UK will be considered.
Yes, providing that you have the following:
- Proof of your right to work in the UK.
- A transferable DBS (if you don’t have one we can help you get one).
- A current CV or completed application form.
- Any relevant training certificates.
- Contact details of two professional references.
Once you have been interviewed and are accepted to register with us, to become compliant you will need to provide:
- Proof of your right to work in the UK.
- A transferable DBS certificate.
- Training certificates.
- Proof of address, i.e. a utility bill.