If you’re a people person with a caring disposition, becoming a home or live-in carer can be a rewarding career. As demand for home-based care only increases in the UK, you can help ensure people can remain independent and live in their own homes, even if you don’t have a background or qualifications in care.
Whether you’re considering being a carer for the first time, or you have specialised experience in caring for people diagnosed with conditions such as dementia, this guide will cover what a live-in or home carer does, the step-by-step process to become one, and the typical hours worked and salary you can expect.
What is a live-in or home carer?
There are different types of professional carer, but all provide people with the support to live independently and at home, manage illnesses or disabilities, or be comfortable in the final stages of their lives.
Home carers provide this support during scheduled visits and is usually suited to people that need help with certain tasks, but are otherwise independent. You will typically work with multiple people in a working day or week, likely with more flexible hours.
Live-in carers reside and sleep in a person’s home to provide more support for someone who needs round-the-clock care or constant on-call support. In this type of caring role, you’ll likely look after one person for an extended period on a rota basis, for weeks at a time.
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What does a home or live-in carer do?
Your duties will depend on whether you are a home or live-in carer, and on the agreement made between you and the person you’re supporting. However, duties can include:
- Helping with bathing, dressing, and grooming
- Preparing and serving meals, and clearing up
- Giving medication
- Household admin, such as paying bills
- Enabling social activities
- Enabling professional activities
- Assisting with mobility and transport
- Supporting and note-taking during appointments, such as during doctors visits
- Light household duties, such as laundry or changing a bed
In terms of responsibilities, you will likely be expected to:
- Provide companionship and emotional support
- Monitor health and well-being
- Communicate with family members and healthcare professionals
How to become a home or live-in carer
1. Understand the role
There are many reasons to become a paid carer, but it’s important you think carefully about what care work involves (washing, dressing) and whether you have the personal qualities to match (empathy, patience, reliability, kindness, communication). Consider the type of care work in which you’re most interested, whether that’s home or live-in care, as part of an agency or as a self-employed carer, or if you want to build experience in a niche, such as dementia care. If you do choose to be self-employed, you’ll need to manage your own accounts and pay tax on your income.
2. Gain experience
If you don’t have previous healthcare experience, reflect on the transferable skills you’ve acquired, such as customer service, teamwork, or informal care for friends and family. Consider volunteering to strengthen your CV: NHS Volunteering, Age UK, and Carers UK are good places to start.
3. Consider formal qualifications
There are no specific mandatory qualifications required to become a carer, although gaining first aid certification and NVQs in Health and Social Care (Levels 2 and 3) can strengthen your job prospects. Many employers also provide on-the-job training, including the Care Certificate, which covers key areas such as privacy, dignity, and diversity.
It’s important to note, however, that Carers Insurance will only cover you for tasks you are qualified and authorised to carry out. Basic domiciliary care activities, such as preparing and serving food or drink, companionship, and general domestic duties, are typically covered. Any care responsibilities beyond this may require additional professional qualifications and appropriate insurance cover.
4. Apply for roles
You can find work as a carer by contacting clients directly, on more general jobsites such as Indeed or the National Careers Service, or on carer-specific jobs boards such as Live In Care Jobs and carehome.co.uk. Ensure your CV and cover letter highlight your care-related skills and experience, while ensuring your genuine passion for helping others shines through.
5. Prepare for interviews
If you are invited to interview for a home or live-in carer role, be prepared for questions on how you would handle difficult situations (such as how you would cope with an unco-operative or distressed person in your care), research the agency and their mission, review the specific role description for which you’re applying, and memorise examples of events that show your relevant experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
How many hours does a home or live-in carer work?
Working hours as a home or live-in carer will depend on the specific role and agreed contract, but the typical range is between 35 and 45 a week, usually in 6-12 hour shifts. Hours can also be worked in evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. Often this is the case for live-in carers, where 6-10 hours of active daily care can be expected, with at least two hours of break time.
Professional carers can work full-time, part-time, or on zero-hour contracts, but live-in carers will most likely be full-time. In many cases, carers will be employed on rotating schedules to balance continuous care without exceeding safe working hour limits.
How much do home and live-in carers get paid in the UK?
Professional carers in the UK will likely earn between £20,000-25,000 a year, or around £12-14 per hour.
Home or live-in carer wages depend on several factors, including:
- Experience, qualifications, and type of care (specialised carers such as dementia professionals may earn more)
- Employment type (agency or self-employed, live-in or home, part-time or full-time)
- Location (London roles will likely pay more)
- Shift premiums (higher rates are common for weekends, nights, and bank holidays)
What are the pros and cons of being a home or live-in carer?
As with any job, there are positives and challenges to being a home or live-in carer. It’s important you’re familiar with the challenges of being a carer and how to overcome them before committing to this vocation.
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Why you should consider carers insurance as a home or live-in carer
Being a home or live-in carer is one of the most meaningful career paths you can take, but it can also be unpredictable and heavy with responsibility.
Professional care involves intimate, hands-on care with vulnerable people, and accidents and mistakes can happen regardless of your qualifications or experience. Taking out a carers insurance policy will let you work with greater peace of mind, protect you from unexpected legal or financial costs, and reassure those in your care.
At Blue Badge Mobility Insurance, we’re here to do just that for you as a professional carer or personal assistant. With experience in the care sector since 2014, Blue Badge carers insurance covers:
- Public liability covers up to £5 Million for injury or damage to property
- Legal expenses in the event of a liability claim
- Errors or omissions whilst providing care, including administering medication
- Up to 90 days cover for care provision if on holiday
- Accidental injury to any person in your care
- No charge for policy changes
If you have any questions about the carers insurance we offer, or becoming a home or live-in carer, don’t hesitate to contact us by post, phone, or email.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you need qualifications to become a home or live-in carer?
No, there are no mandatory qualifications required to become a carer, although training and certifications can improve your opportunities.
However, it’s important to note that carers insurance will only cover you for tasks you are qualified to carry out. Basic domiciliary care duties, such as companionship, preparing food and drink, and general domestic tasks, are typically covered, while more advanced care responsibilities may require professional qualifications.
How long does it take to become a carer?
Depending on your experience, you could start in as little as a few weeks, subject to references and DBS checks.
Is care work a good career?
Care work offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, but it comes with challenges such as the weight of responsibility and potentially challenging working conditions.
Do live-in carers get time off?
Yes, they have daily breaks and time off between placements.
Can you be self-employed as a carer?
Yes, many carers choose self-employment for greater flexibility and earning potential.
