For live-in carers who have always been with one agency, it may be a daunting idea to look elsewhere for placements.
Most of the time, when a live-in carer joins an agency, they find a placement when you ask for them. And most of the time, this seems to work out to the satisfaction of both parties.
Unfortunately, there often come times when we think that using another agency, or even leaving the agency to work as a private live-in carer may be a better option.
This decision should be weighed up thoroughly before quitting with an agency as there are some definite advantages to remaining.
Some reasons why you might leave
Often agencies are inundated with carers who prefer to work in the summer months and then return to their families for the holiday season. Sometimes in the summer months it may seem as if you simply are not getting enough work, and this can be a huge deciding factor in leaving an agency.
Smaller agencies have less clients and tend to hire as many carers as they can so that their clients are always covered. This suits the client but often does not suit the live-in carer who may find themselves without a placement and looking for accommodation while they wait.
While there are many exceptional agencies who fully support their carers, unfortunately there are some who tend to only offer placements to some carers and not to others.
Occasionally the agency may feel that they do not have other suitable carers for a placement which they class as difficult and they may insist that unless you take that placement, they do not have any other available work.
Now, while there may be a certain amount of truth in this, it will put the carer in a nasty position of having to stick to their guns and refuse if they do not want to work on a certain date or with a problematic client.
This is a very unpleasant position to find yourself in as once the agency has decided where they want to send you, they may simply say there is no other work. It all starts to feel a little like emotional blackmail and is not a pleasant situation.
Whether we like to admit this or not, every carer has financial commitments which need to be fulfilled.
Often a live-in carer will need to send money to pay a mortgage or credit card bill. They may even simply send money home for family to survive, so wages play a significant part in every carer’s life.
There are certain amounts which are accepted as daily rates and some which are too high to be reasonable. Working at a placement where there is a couple needing care should mean more than an extra £15 per day as the workload may be doubled.
The best way to check out where you stand in the daily rate of pay is to join a social platform and talk with other live-in carers. This will give you an idea of what you think you should be paid per day and what you are being paid.
Naturally, more experience should bring a higher daily rate, but some agencies offer a significantly lower rate of pay per day which you may find unacceptable.
It’s a big decision to quit one agency and move on to another or away from agency work completely so it is worth spending some time considering it before you make the move.
Weigh up the pros and cons of being with the agency and those of not being with an agency before you do anything.
The bottom line however, is that to stay with your agency you should be completely happy with them and the support you receive from them. If you do not get this, then it may be time to look elsewhere.
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