While many live-in carers travel to their placements using public transport, there are a great deal who prefer to use their own cars to get there. This gives a certain amount of freedom, particularly during breaks where one can easily drive to shops and parks.

Now, while it may be a great thing to have your own car, it does leave you in the unenviable position of being seen as a source of transport for your client – whenever they fancy a drive.

This, of course, places the carer in a very awkward position. You can either agree to be the taxi driver or you can decline and risk the very real situation of being thought to be unhelpful, or worse, selfish.

Is there a middle ground here?

There should always be a middle place in this situation but whether you choose to use it is entirely up to you.

If you have your own transport, why should you and your client call a taxi to get to the doctor? Why should you not use your own car to do the shopping instead of ordering it online? Why does your client need to rely on the bus to take them to the day centre, when you and your car are at hand?

These are questions that you may find asked if you do not offer to use your car, and they can be very annoying, to say the least. They are also blatantly taking advantage of you and your vehicle.

At the end of the day, the car belongs to you, you are responsible for keeping it roadworthy and insured, and it is up to you whether you choose to use it for your client or not.

If you decide that your car will be used to transport your client then you should also be able to charge an amount for fuel. Every agency will have an amount which they deem acceptable, and if you agree to this and are happy to transport your client, then do so.

On the other hand, if you feel strongly that you are been taken advantage of, and do not want to act as taxi driver, then you should make this clear from the start of your placement. It will be impossible to change your stance later.

If you do not intend to use it to transport your client make sure you have a frank and open discussion with them and family/next of kin, explaining that you are not happy with using your car as a taxi.

Final thoughts

If you do decide against using your own vehicle you may unfortunately be seen as not the ‘right carer for the job’ at that placement and may not be asked to return.

Family and clients have a very strange way of looking at your possessions as something to be shared and they may not understand why you are reluctant.

If they use the emotional blackmail ploy to coerce you to share your car then you may ask yourself whether the placement is truly right for you, after all.

 

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