Carer a fair rate of pay?

[susanandliam]

Morning everyone,

I'm thinking of upping the caring my mum has per day to see if this can prolong her time in her own home for a while.

We use an agency which is expensive and to be honest some of the cares aren't great. There is someone who used to work for the agency but left to have a baby and she is lovely always seemed to be more caring and thoughtful to Mum.

I was thinking of keeping the agency on to a certain extent but asking this lady if she would be happy coming in for additional calls privately so many times a week.

The query is can I say to her that she would be self employed so responsible for all her tax etc. but then should I draw up some kind of contract?

And also do you think £12.00 an hour a good rate to offer her? I'm sure that's more than the agency pays her but I want to pay her a fair amount.

Advice please?!

 

[Pete R]

The query is can I say to her that she would be self employed so responsible for all her tax etc. but then should I draw up some kind of contract?

If her only employment is yours alone it will be difficult to go the self employment route.

Lots of info here to plough through.....
http://disabilitytaxguide.org.uk/
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3303

 

[sistermillicent]

I agree with Pete.
I would say that £12 an hour is better than the going rate for a carer . We pay our qualified nurses £13. 50 an hour where I work.
Bear in mind that whatever you pay the agency is well more than double what the carer would normally get - they cream off a massive percentage and lots of carers are on minimum wage.

 

[jeany123]

We pay the agency £11 50 a hour for our carer and they get £7 out of that,



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[Sue J]

Just be careful there isn't a clause in the contract you have with the agency that you can't employ their staff. It is one I had to sign. The rate I pay for home help is £15.50 hour which I think is high for someone to do shopping/cleaning. I don't know what the HH gets but probably the minimum wage and all on zero hour contracts I believe.

 

[susanandliam]

Carer

Just be careful there isn't a clause in the contract you have with the agency that you can't employ their staff. It is one I had to sign. The rate I pay for home help is £15.50 hour which I think is high for someone to do shopping/cleaning. I don't know what the HH gets but probably the minimum wage and all on zero hour contracts I believe.

Thanks Sue I will check but seeing as she is on maternity and on a zero hours contract whereby they are paying her nothing is she still technically employed by them? Do they not forfeit a right to say what she does if they are not paying her?

 

[Sue J]

Thanks Sue I will check but seeing as she is on maternity and on a zero hours contract whereby they are paying her nothing is she still technically employed by them? Do they not forfeit a right to say what she does if they are not paying her?

I don't know in answer to your question but wise to check what you've signed, no doubt the agency want it all their way

 

[susanandliam]

Thank you for all these me a good guideline of what is an acceptable rate of pay responses it's really helpful and gives me a guideline to go along

 

[susanandliam]

Carers Pay

I don't know in answer to your question but wise to check what you've signed, no doubt the agency want it all their way

Yes I will I daresay you are right!

 

[Mrsbusy]

Think there is also a new law just come in that if you employ anyone at all even for caring you have provide something for their pension? Don't fully understand but do know a lot of it on radio 4 complaining and not very clear, but worth considering.

 

[Pete R]

Think there is also a new law just come in that if you employ anyone at all even for caring you have provide something for their pension? Don't fully understand but do know a lot of it on radio 4 complaining and not very clear, but worth considering.

For new employers it would not start till late 2017.