Live In Carers
JOIN US FOR ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING TYPES OF WORK YOU ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE!
Use YOUR skills to care for an older person in return for staying in a British home with free board and lodging and earn British pounds - all at the same time.
Take a look at what some of our care assistants have said!
CAN WE HELP YOU?
See the world, build up savings, make new friends - get in touch!
Why Live-in Care Works for Me:
"I've been working in care for 4 years, started as a home carer and have worked with a wide variety of clients and in homes. Although I have also worked in various institutions, I prefer working with one person in their home environment where they are completely comfortable". (Kerry, SA, carer and photographer)
"I am back in New Zealand now, settling back in. I wanted to write and thank you all for everything you did for me when I was in the UK. I really enjoyed my varied caring roles with Trinity and appreciated all the help I received from you while I was there. I am going back to University this year to study Nursing, so my experience in caring has definitely had a lasting effect on my life and career!” (Natalie, NZ. BA Business)
"I would like to thank you for everything you did for me. You were a great help and I really enjoyed it at Mrs P. She's a lovely lady and I will miss her. She has such a great sense of humour and we had so many laughs together. I found the job really good - hard work at some points and it was tiring but that's the job! The family's really nice". (Cherie, Aus, beauty therapist)
"I love working with people. I am planning to train in Dance Movement Therapy and so would like to gain experience with people with different disabilities. I also plan to travel within the next year so hope it will fit in with that, and at present I'm keen to work in different locations than I've been so far, and with different people. I also find it fulfilling to know I've been instrumental in someone being able to live a fuller, possibly more independent life." (Rebecca, UK, BA Hons. Dance & carer. Northants)
It's something I've always enjoyed in the past, having done live-in care work at Camp America and also then volunteering with a charity called Vitalize (formerly Winged Fellowship). I love interacting with people to achieve as close to an independent life as possible. (Liz, Bristol, UK, medical student)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For convenience these have been broken down into the following sections:
- ABOUT THE JOB
- What sort of clients do you have?
- Why work on a live-in basis?
- Why live-in care work might not be right for me - How easy is it to change my mind?
- What is a care assistant's job description?
- What is the length of your placements?
- How much daily time-off will I have?
- Do you have relief and short placements?
- How much money will I earn?
- What will be my employment and tax status?
- Can you guarantee me work in advance?
- What notice period is there?
- OUR SELECTION CRITERIA
- NON-BRITISH APPLICANTS’ CONCERNS
- OUR INTERVIEW AND PLACEMENT PROCESS
- Will I need to do a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure
through Trinity Homecare? - Where can I stay between jobs?
- Can I work through more than one agency?
- How do I arrange an interview?
- When and where can I be interviewed?
- How do I get to your office?
- What documents do I need to bring to an interview?
- How will I understand my client's needs before I start work?
- Will I be given any training before I start work?
- How much contact is there with the agency when I am at a client?
- How much support will I receive once I am at a placement?
- What happens if I am not happy?
- Testimonials from carers.
- Will I need to do a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure
1a. What Sort of Clients do you have?
The majority of our clients are older people who with their reduced mobility need someone on an on-going basis to help them on a personal level and also with duties around the house.
Other clients' needs may be temporary, whilst they recover from an operation or specific illness.
Some clients are physically able but have memory problems.
Most clients have a car for the carer to drive. An adventurous carer will also encourage outings, which are fun for both.
About half our clients live in and around London, but we also have clients further afield in attractive, interesting locations.
We keep in close touch with all our clients and where possible have visited them to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
A few clients have two live-in carers from Trinity Homecare, and other high dependency clients may have local non-resident carers to assist.
1b. Why work on a Live-in Basis?
Experience shows that it is a 'win - win' situation for both carer and client:
- Job security and no commuting for you is continuity of care for your client.
- Flexibility, advance planning of dates, jobs and finances for you, maintains carer quality and choice, and eases budgeting for your client.
- Deeper understanding of your client's variable circumstances and requirements gives you a higher job satisfaction and reduces stress. It also means reduced anxiety, best possible, flexible care for your client.
- Free accommodation and meals for you, gives personal service, structure and companionship at meal times for your client; cultural exchange and friendship for you both!
1c. Why live-in care work might not be right for me - How easy is it to change my mind?
It is extremely important to consider deeply in advance about whether accepting a live-in placement is a good choice for you. We can help you decide at an interview and can usually give you plenty of time afterwards to make your choice.
However, once you have agreed to work for a particular client starting on a definite date, it would be irresponsible to change your mind and decline, unless there are genuine unforeseen reasons why you cannot go to a client as planned. Clients who have live-in carers are vulnerable. Please see the section 35 about giving notice.
The main reason why carers stop working on a live-in basis, or accept short placements only, is because one cannot ignore the fact that it is hard, and sometimes impossible, for carers to maintain much of a social life whilst they are with a client.
The clients understand this and do their best by agreeing to have relief carers.
Most clients allow the carer personal use of their car, but only in the immediate area.
All carers may receive post at their client's address whilst they are working there.
A few clients provide internet access, but most carers have to visit an internet café or library in their break.
The majority of clients allow the carer reasonable use their telephone, if they ask permission and pay for any personal calls made, but it is restricting. Some of our clients do not have very good mobile telephone reception in their house.
In conclusion, it is important to consider all these things which can make the work isolating - or else a nice break from all the hurly burly of modern day living, depending on how you are feeling at this moment in your life!
Also see the section on personal qualities.
1d. What is a care assistant's Job Description?
All applicants for care work are given a Job Summary when they come into our office for interview. This contains much of the job description below as well as the sort of terms under which they can expect to work. Each client has a Care Plan, which will tell you much about what you need to know to look after your client. It is your responsibility to keep it up to date. Elderly clients will very much appreciate your companionship and good manners; the way you would look after your senior family members!
There are two levels of care. Level 1 is Housekeeping Duties and Level 2 also includes personal care. A full description of the levels of care can be found below in item 8. How much money will I earn? [* internal link to item 8]
Housekeeping Duties:
The house should be kept clean and tidy at all times with meals cleared away immediately. Daily dusting, vacuum cleaning, laundry and ironing should be done; please don't forget to clean your own room. Check the security of the house and garden; List and total all expenses in a small notebook or in the Care Plan, providing receipts for each item, and ask the client to check it weekly. Things to remember: draw curtains, put out garbage bins, defrost fridge, order milk, collect post, clean cupboards, water garden, sweep paths, clean car, look after keys etc.
Meals:
Most elderly clients prefer simple food, e.g. meat and vegetables, but they do like their meals to be nicely cooked. If you can make gravy and prepare a white sauce, you should be fine. Our Care Plans include a recipe booklet. Please use fresh food where possible.
A typical daily routine for carers might be: 7.00am Tea or coffee in bed. 8.00am Breakfast, in bed or in kitchen. 10.00 to 11.00am Coffee and biscuits. 12.00am to 1.00pm Lunch, in kitchen or dining room. 4.00pm Afternoon tea. 7.00pm Supper. 9.00pm Hot drink before bed.
Personal care duties for Carers:
Helping the client get in and out of bed, and with washing, dressing and medication; errands and excursions in the client's car; writing letters, paying bills, and making general arrangements; and answering the telephone, if the client requests it.
United Kingdom Homecare Association Code of Practice: (LINK)
www.ukhca.co.uk/codeofpractice.aspx
1e. What is the length of your placements?
Most of our clients receive an on-going service from Trinity Homecare. The average length each carer stays with their client is 8 to 12 weeks.
Some carers stay longer, and many return to the same or different clients when they come back from their holidays. However, as frequent changes of carers make high quality care difficult and stressful for the clients, we ask carers to work for a minimum period of 6 weeks.
It is sometimes very hard to find work for carers for less than this time, although we do have some short placements as well.
1f. How much daily time-off will I have?
Live-in carers usually work 6 to 7 days a week. Sometimes there are a few jobs for fewer days a week, but never less than 5.
We can provide a relief carer for clients in London to cover a 12 or 24 hr day off, but this is not possible in the country where the carer has to work 7 days a week if family members are not available to provide cover. In these cases, if the carer wants, we often provide a relief carer for 4 or 5 days after 3 or 4 weeks.
You do need to understand that carers do not get much time off. It varies between clients, but the carers do have at least two hours each day, usually in the afternoon, when they can leave the premises. There is also usually quite a lot of time when the carer can do their own thing while being close at hand on call.
1g. Do you have relief and short placements?
Yes. Our weekend work for experienced carers, relieving live-in carers when they have time off, allows them to earn a little extra on top of their week time jobs.
We do also have short placements, so it is definitely worth contacting us to see if we have something for the dates you are available. However, these are often covered by carers who have worked for Trinity Homecare before, but not exclusively. We are most grateful for help from teachers in their school holidays for example.
1h. How much money will I earn?
There are two levels of care, depending on clients' needs:
- Level 1 - clients can walk unaided and need minimum help with physical and mental health needs; they are usually too frail to manage in the home by themselves.
- Level 2 - clients need experienced carers and require more personal care or may have mental health problems e.g. dementia.
The carer's level of pay will be discussed and agreed for each placement.
The levels reflect the degree of experience required and also what the client is prepared to pay.
The basic rates are reviewed annually and may also vary during a long placement.
The agency currently advises the rate of £75 per day for Level 1 and £80 for Level 2, but as the carers are self-employed this is a guide-line.
1i. What will be my employment and tax status?
Carers placed by Trinity Homecare work on a self-employed basis and are paid directly by the client without deductions for Income Tax and National Insurance.
Many carers find that if they only worked a short while in the UK, their income will fall below the annual threshold and that no taxes will be payable.
We do give information about registering with the tax authorities, but carers are advised to obtain independent tax advice.
1j. Can you guarantee me work in advance?
We must interview all applicants at our office in London because we are placing carers in the homes of vulnerable people.
Most of the carers we place work for 2 to 3 months to suit their travel and other plans. It is variable as to which placements are available at any one time. We then select at interview the carers most suited to the needs of the clients at the time.
We plan ahead as much as we can for carers already working through the agency and so new applicants will invariably have less choice and will need to be flexible.
The factors that increase your chances of getting a placement are:
- Prior experience of care work.
- Healthcare qualifications e.g. nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics and, of course, care.
- Training courses e.g. First Aid, Manual Handling, Dementia, Food Hygiene.
- Being available to work for at least 6 weeks.
- Being prepared to work anywhere in the UK.
- Having a current driving licence to drive manual cars (especially important if you have no care experience).
Carers who have already worked through Trinity Homecare keep in touch with us from all over the world via email, mobile phone text message, or telephone, so while they are away we can still plan their work for when they return to the UK.
Depending on the clients' circumstances, and also if an interview is required before a new carer starts, individual carers usually need to have their own accommodation for a few days before starting their live-in placement.
We strongly discourage carers from going to their client immediately after arriving in the UK, as time needs to be allowed for transport delays, journey time and jet lag recovery. See section 25 also.
1k. What Notice Period is there?
A commitment agreed with the Agency to work for a certain time period with a client, once entered into, should not be broken. Where a firm leaving date has not been set, two weeks notice must be given. Some flexibility should be allowed with leaving dates to suit clients' and replacement carers' arrangements and occasionally a carer may be asked to leave at short notice, possibly 48 hours, due to the occurrence of unforeseen circumstances. The Agency must be contacted immediately, any day of the week, should a carer wish to discuss leaving a client at short notice, for whatever reason.
Carers who leave a client unattended can be reported to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults List as having neglected their client. There are criminal penalties for carers found guilty. Trinity Homecare has an Abuse Policy where this is explained fully.
2a. What Qualifications do I need?
None, but a First Aid certificate and an interest in cooking would help.
For clients requiring more personal care, previous experience is necessary and for those with high needs a nursing or caring qualification is usually required.
Most clients need a carer who can drive.
We interview each carer in person on an individual basis and follow up references. We assess your capabilities and take the time to ensure that you are placed with a client whom we feel you can manage.
Briefing and, where we think it is necessary, client specific training, is given in our own fully equipped training room, and where required, an induction will take place on the client's premises. The majority of new carers have a 24 hour handover from the departing carer in the client’s home.
2b. What personal qualities are required?
We match client and carer personalities to be as harmonious together as possible, and discuss this aspect with carer and client before a placement is made. Your previous work history and references will be taken into account. These lists will give you an idea of what makes a good carer:
Commitment
Attitude
Responsibility
Enthusiasm
Fingerprints of Care:
1. Friendliness
2. Communication
3. Understanding
4. Competency
5. Respect
2c. What happens if I have no previous care experience?
If you understand the personal quality requirements in section 11 and are enthusiastic, practical, warm, patient and confident with people, there should be no problem finding a suitable placement for you, but it does depend on the placements available at the time you are looking.
You may need to fill in with some temporary work for a while before starting.
Once you have begun the process, it does not take long to gain confidence and experience as Leana found:
"I had never done this type of work before and I didn't know what to expect. I felt scared of the unknown, but a lot of my friends are doing care work and told me they enjoyed it although they had not done it before either. When I went to Trinity Homecare for my interview I felt the agency understood me and I could be honest about my feelings. I was placed with someone who does not need personal care and now I feel more confident. My client and I have developed a bond and I feel I am helping her as a companion as well as being a carer. It does not feel like work - it feels as if I am her friend".
2d. How fluent do I need to be in English language?
We are only able to place carers with good communication skills as many clients have communication difficulties due to deafness, general frailty, confusion and comprehension problems caused by a stroke or a dementia.
Our live-in carers mostly work alone with their client and also need to be able to converse on the telephone with family and healthcare professionals who may be busy and stressed.
Applicants are assessed by Trinity Homecare when they first telephone us, and later, if they come for an interview.
One of our Care Managers is fluent in Afrikaans and there is a small dictionary in the Care Plan. However, English is always the first language used by Trinity Homecare, unless a carer needs extra temporary support.
References can be checked in Afrikaans, French, Dutch and German.
2e. How much work do you have for male carers?
It is extremely variable.
Unfortunately, there are long periods when there are no clients who request a male carer.
A Genuine Occupational Requirement, which allows for an exception to the Sex Discrimination Act, is applicable to care at home. This is so that a client's privacy and dignity is respected.
See: < Community Legal Advice > [* external website links]
www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/en/legalhelp/leaflet15_7.jsp - 19k >
2f. Are there any age restrictions?
It is extremely difficult to place carers under 21 years of age as clients with cars find it either impossible, or too expensive, to insure younger carers. Some clients specify carers aged 25 + to reduce the insurance cost.
Trinity Homecare has a Safe Movement and Handling Policy and will take individual fitness requirements into account with each placement.
We have an Equal Opportunities Policy, however it is the client who has the choice as to who they accept as a carer in their home.
2g. Do I need to be able to drive?
The majority of our clients do require drivers.
There are placements for non-drivers but as these are in the minority, these carers have to wait until a vacancy is available, which is unpredictable.
3a. Does it matter which country I come from?
No, as long as you have a valid work visa for the UK.
Student visas are not applicable, as Trinity Homecare only places self-employed carers, which student visa holders are not eligible for.
Please check FAQ 3b on visas, and 2d on English fluency.
It can be difficult to place carers who have learnt to drive on the right hand side of the road, as the clients are anxious about this.
As we do not employ the carers, it is the client's choice as to who they agree to accept into their home. However, the agency encourages diversity and has an Equal Opportunities Policy.
3b. What visa requirements are there?
You can only take on work in the UK if your visa allows you to work. For example, most applicants from selected British Commonwealth countries, who are under 30 years old, can obtain a two year working visa under the Youth Mobility Scheme. This replaced the old Working Holiday Maker scheme in November 2008 and allows you to work for the whole period. So far the only countries signed up to the scheme are Australia, Canada and New Zealand. If your grandparents were British Citizens, you will be eligible for a four year ancestry visa.
No visa is necessary if you have a European Union passport.
Links: www.ukvisas.gov.uk www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk www.ukimmigration.com
3c. What are the driving licence requirements in the UK?
Many clients require a driver, so please make sure that your driving licence is valid for the period of your visit. You may drive using a valid Australian, New Zealand or South African licence for 12 months from the last date of entry if here as a visitor, or 12 months from date of residency if in the U.K. as a resident. Neither "visitor" nor "resident" is defined in vehicle licensing legislation, so an individual should obtain their own legal advice to determine status. However, normal residence is taken to mean the place where someone usually lives, that is for at least 185 days in each calendar year, because of personal or occupational ties. In our opinion, most of the working holiday makers who do live-in care work interspersed with trips to Europe would qualify as "visitors".
Australian, New Zealand or South African licences can be exchanged for a British licence. You will need to obtain a D750 photo card application pack and form D1 from any main Post Office. A fee of £42.00 is payable. This may be the best course of action for people intending to stay in the UK for a number of years, for those Australians who only have a short-term licence or people who want to travel extensively in Europe over a period of more than one year. You do not get your original licence back, but you will be able to exchange your British licence once you get home.
Remember that International Driving Licences needed for other countries, must be obtained in your home country. They are only valid for 12 months.
Full information can be obtained from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority)
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring
3d. Do I need to have a bank account in the UK and where can I buy Foreign Exchange?
If you are applying from abroad, it would make life in Britain easier for you if you arranged to open a Sterling (English Pounds) account based in England before you leave home as, due to money laundering regulations, many UK banks now require proof of fixed address and employment. This can usually be arranged through your own bank in your home country or through branches of a travel agent such as Thomas Cook or through a relocation agency such as First Contact, or the Overseas Visitors Club. Expect to pay a small arrangement fee. If this can not be arranged, do obtain a reference from your bank and also proof of residence at your home address (ideally that of your parents, if applicable) in order to help substantiate that you are, who you say you are! A utility or some other invoice, bank statement or doctor's, or similar, letter addressed to you at the same address should be sufficient.
In March 2007, HSBC announced a new sort of account aimed at the overseas visitor market called a Passport Account. Not only will they open a current account, they also provide a debit card, the ability to transfer money home at a discounted rate, a Mobile World SIM card with £10 credit and a relocation guide and online advice; all for the cost of £50. Call 0800 169 5311 or go to Personal Accounts, Passport at
www.hsbc.co.uk
Customers of National Australia Bank and its subsidiary, Bank of New Zealand, will find it easiest. The English subsidiary, Clydesdale Bank, will help open an account once you have arrived and will send a fax to your home branch to obtain validation. There are two branches in London: 91 Gresham Street, EC2V 7BL Tel: 020 7710 2268; 35 Regent Street, SW1Y 4ND Tel: 020 7699 6400.
1st Contact FX can meet all your needs for buying and selling currency:
3e. Will I need a police clearance from the country where I have been residing?
Although not a strict legal requirement, the validation of people who have lived all their lives overseas is enhanced with a police clearance certificate from home. So do please obtain one before you leave home. Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans can download the relevant application forms from the following websites:
www.afp.gov.au :: www.police.govt.nz :: www.police.govt.nz
4a. Will I need to do a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure through Trinity Homecare?
Anyone planning on doing any sort of care work in the UK is required to have a British Police clearance certificate called a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced Disclosure.
Since 26 July, 2004 everyone must additionally obtain a check against the POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) list.
These checks can be obtained through us and will cost you £42, but we will only require you to apply once we have a job for you. Fortunately the CRB process does not prevent you from starting work, provided the on-line POVA check taking a few days is completed. A change to the original rules means that CRB Disclosures are no longer transportable between agencies or employers.
Three documents proving your identity are required. These are:
- Passport
- A second item that proves your current address in the UK such as: a UK driving licence or one of the following less than 3 months old; utility bill, monetary statement (e.g. bank, mobile phone, credit card); payslip.
- A third item (not necessarily proof of address), which could be: a visa; a second passport; birth certificate; marriage certificate; National Insurance number card.
If you think you may have difficulty supplying proof of address, bring evidence of a recent main address at home and a letter confirming your residence at your current address from the leaseholder / owner supported by an original document addressed to them.
Be prepared to list every address you have lived at for the last 5 years with dates and post codes.
Full details about how to apply and how the whole scheme operates can be seen on the CRB website. The full list of acceptable documents of proof is shown on page 2 of "An applicant's guide to completing the Disclosure application form"
www.disclosure.gov.uk.
4b. Where can I stay between jobs?
If you do not have any friends or relations to stay with in the UK, these websites should help you find accommodation for yourself.
4c. Can I work through more than one agency at once?
Yes, as our carers are self-employed they are entitled to have a variety of work throughout the year, from different sources.
We do need to be informed of what you are doing though, and for which dates, so that there is no confusion, and also so that we can keep up with your work history.
4d. How do I arrange an interview?
Call us 9.00am to 5.00pm, weekdays, on 020 8307 7662.
NB: All applicants are interviewed by phone first so please do not arrive at our offices without an appointment. Also see Section 10.
You may also contact us via email or via Skype interview: email us first to arrange a time.
4e. When and where can I be interviewed?
We conduct interviews by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9.30am until 4pm, although not between 12.15 pm and 2.15pm. As we interview every day, we can usually see you on the day of your phone call. The interviews are conducted at our office in Wimbledon. Where we have conducted a Skype interview first, a physical interview will still be required.
4f. How do I get to your office?
4g. What documents do I need to bring to an interview?
- Passport, bring both if you have more than one.
- Curriculum Vitae accounting for all your time since you left school.
- At least 2 recent work references, which needn't be care related.
- Driving licence, and also International Driving Licence, if you have them.
- Proof of where you live in the UK for CRB. For example, bank or credit card statement, utility bill. See 22 above for full details. If you have no permanent residence, a letter from the house owner/leaseholder confirming residence and an original utility bill etc addressed to them will be accepted.
- Another proof of identity for CRB - not necessarily the same as proof of address. This could be: a visa in your passport; UK driving licence; a second passport; birth certificate; marriage certificate; National Insurance number card.
- Certificates for qualifications and courses: especially relevant for healthcare qualifications.
- Police clearance certificates. If you come from outside the UK: see 23 above.
More about my Curriculum Vitae:
We do need to see your full CV when you come in for interview and we can download it with you from a flash-drive or from the internet. Two Year British Working Holiday Visas are granted on the understanding that any work gained is "incidental" to the visit. This restriction does not apply to those with a four year ancestry visa, who are encouraged to take up employment.
4h. How will I understand my client's needs before I start work?
We give a full briefing about the placement you are being offered in person, and leave you with a minimum of six pages of Placement Details about the job, the client and their situation.
With the client's permission, prospective carers usually telephone the departing carer to discuss the individual circumstances. Some carers will also discuss things with the client's relative and some go for interviews with the client.
Most carers have a 24 hour handover with the departing carer, and some with a relative. All carers are given written Placement Details.
4i. Will I be given any training before I start work?
Trinity Homecare is an Introduction agency and so is not a training organisation. However, we have a fully equipped training room which we use to give carers training specific to the client they are going to look after where we consider it appropriate.
We ask all carers to watch training videos on Movement and Handling, First Aid and Emergencies and Administration of Medications. If relevant, carers are also asked to watch a video regarding Understanding Dementia. Carers will need to return to the agency for a second appointment for this induction, which takes about 3 hours.
4j. How much contact is there with the agency when I am at a client?
Your relationship with us, the Agency, is different to other recruitment situations. We need to remain in constant touch with both carer and client, because our objective is to maintain an ongoing supply of suitably briefed and matched carers. We must ensure that when one carer leaves, another is ready to take over.
As a carer, it is part of your responsibility to keep Trinity Homecare informed of the client's situation, so we understand the position we are recruiting for. We also need your leaving time and date, so that we can match availability.
4k. How much support will I receive once I am at a placement?
It is Trinity Homecare Policy not to accept clients who do not have a representative, usually also with power of attorney. These representatives, mostly family members, are very supportive if need be. Each client will also be supported by their GP or specialist doctor, and community nurses, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, dietician, mental health team and, or, Day Care Centre. Our office is open 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. We also provide 24 hour telephone cover at other times for really urgent calls.
All clients also have a Care Plan template with guidelines for the carers to follow, unless the client requires Level 1 care for a one-off very short booking. Hence there are written records and information for new carers on the client's premises. Some carer record writing is required by the Care Standards Act.
Trinity Homecare is in a good position to support carers. A Care Manager is allocated to each client and carer, and so they will have a full understanding of individual circumstances.
4l. What happens if I am not Happy?
Placements are often made for an initial two week trial period in order to ease the anxiety of both clients and their carers. However, it is extremely rare for our carers to feel the need to leave a placement so early, as the carer, agency and client's representative work together using problem solving discussions if they are necessary. The Agency can act as a mediator. Carers who have worked through their difficulties in this way usually feel a great sense of overall achievement at the end of their placement. Trinity Homecare can be contacted 7 days a week if support over the weekend is really necessary.
All placements are described and discussed with each individual carer concerned as fully as possible and to the best of our knowledge, in advance. Most new clients have been visited by the Director, Rosie Hodgkinson, and some by their relevant Care Managers at a later stage, so that we gain as full an understanding of the circumstances as we can before we place carers.
Trinity Homecare is a member of the United Kingdom Homecare Association and has a complaints procedure for the carers linked to this organisation, although it has not been needed by any client or carer so far, as our Inspection Reports confirm.
Also see Section 3 and Section 11.
“Thank you for all your referencing and all the admin you have done for me while I have been setting up in London. I know you understand because you have done it all yourself! I am still interested in staying on Trinity's books so I can do relief work on my days off or I may even return to care work one day. I have had all good experiences and have been very happy working with you and Fiona. Thank you for all you have done for me. Emma”
“Thank you so much for finding me work the 2 times in the past year. It was nice to know I could phone you back on my return. You helped me so much when I've been desperate! I landed on my feet both times. And its got me my trip home this Thursday via Bangkok, eventually Brisbane to Mum and Dad. Thank you, Rosie. You're a star! Megan”
“This is just a little note to once again, thank you very much for organising my placement so well + efficiently. It is always wonderful to work for such a well organised and supportive agency. If I return to London again, I will definitely give you a call. Sonia”
“Thank you so much for all your help in getting me some work over the recent months! My time with Mary M and Mrs T have been enjoyable and it has reminded me again of what hands-on nursing is all about - something that I have missed since moving into more office-based jobs. I have found Trinity very professional and organised and will recommend you as an agency for any nursing friends of mine that are considering doing care work in London. Silvia”
“Thank you for all your support throughout this year! But, thank you mostly for sending me to the B's. I've had the best year ... Care work is what nursing should be (not politics - yay!) All the best for 2008! Love Candice.”
“To My favourite Home-Care Company TRINITY! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very happy New Years. I would like to bring to your attention, we are not just celebrating the festive season. But also our '2' year anniversary of my employment with Trinity. You all have been fantastic in so many ways, and let it continue..... Yours Truly, Chantal”
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Member of the United Kingdom Home Care Association
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Member Recruitment Employers Confederation
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