Live-in carers who work with agencies do not normally have a contract with a client as this may be taken care of through the agency. However, sometimes a live-in carer will decide to work privately for a client. This normally raises the question of whether there should be a contract between carer and client or not. 

While some people will say that this is not needed, it is a good idea to find out why there should be a contract or not, and if there is one, what it should contain.

Why do I need a contract?

While the placement may start out on a good note, it may not always remain this way. People have different opinions and sometimes these can be strong and biased, meaning that there may be a conflict of ideas over the way the client is taken care of and how many hours the carer should work.

Should there be a dispute over wages, time off, night calls, it is important that there is a contract in place to cover all eventualities.

The contract is put in place so that both parties know what is expected of the carer, and more importantly, what is not expected. Many live-in carers feel they are pushed into doing things which are outside their field of work, such as cleaning the windows, gardening. and washing the car. A contract should state their role so there is no confusion.

What should be covered in a contract?

Ther contract should be designed to govern the relationship between carer and client, and because of this it must be correctly set out. It is worth remembering that once a contract is signed it can be very difficult to change.

The contract should include:

• Hours of work
• Duties
• Travel expenses
• Rate of pay
• Time of payment
• Bank holiday pay rate
• Pet care if applicable
• Holiday pay if applicable
• Vehicle use if applicable
• Cancellation of services

Additionally, the contract should cover instances when the client may be admitted to hospital and the duties of the carer during this period.

Night calls should be addressed, whether there is a night carer to be available and the amount of night calls per night before this happens, along with the rate of pay.

Where do we get a contract?

There are several carer forums on social media, and you may be able to find a live-in care contract which other carers use.

Because this is an important document you may also want to enlist the help of a solicitor to ensure that your contract covers all relevant points.

It is worth remembering that you may need different contract for different clients, depending on the levels of care which are needed. 

Do I need other paperwork?

Live-in carers who work privately with clients will normally need other paperwork. This includes a risk assessment record and a complaints procedure.

Other papers which you should have include:

• MAR sheet
• Body map, front and back
• Likes and dislikes sheet
• Contact information sheet

Final thoughts

While it may seem a good idea to not bother with a contract, it is always a good idea as it protects both the carer and the client. It is legally binding once it has been signed and thus gives both parties a certain amount of protection, should things not work out as planned.  

Tags:

1

Go Back to Previous Page

Live in care jobs