The Knowledge Hub

Finding Care

+ How to Find the Right Independent Carer:

Finding the right care starts with the right conversation

Choosing someone to support a loved one is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

Whether you’re looking for companionship, personal care or more regular support, finding someone you trust can feel overwhelming.

At FirstHello, we believe every trusted relationship starts with a first hello. While every family’s situation is different, asking the right questions and taking your time can help you find the right fit.

+ 5 Questions to Ask before Hiring the Right Carer:

What Experience do they have? Experience can include supporting people with dementia, mobility needs, learning disabilities or companionship. This can range from standard care to clinical care.
Are they DBS checked? A current DBS check can provide reassurance when inviting someone into your home. It is also worth asking how often they renew it.
Do they have insurance? Independent carers should normally have appropriate insurance in place for the services they provide. This will also include appropriate car insurance if they are taking clients out. You are welcome to ask for confirmation of this if you wish to do so.
Are they the right personality? Skills and experience matter, but personality is a very key factor in finding the right carer for you/your loved one. This platform has been designed to put the decision back into the hands of those that require care and ensure they are completely comfortable with the person providing care for them. A good relationship is built on trust, communication and feeling comfortable together.
Can they provide references? Speaking to previous clients can help you understand how the carer works and what families valued most about their support.

Upon a carer signing up to use the FirstHello platform, their DBS, Insurance and References will be compulsory requirements in order to be 'live' and able to accept bookings. They will also have reminders when these documents need updating, and if for any reason these aren't updated before expiration then the carer will face temporary suspension until it is rectified. This means that the platfrom takes this additional pressure off of families and maintains oversight over to ensure safe care.

+ What makes a Great Carer?:

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+ When is it Time to Get Help at Home?:

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+ How to Talk to a Loved One about Accepting Care?:

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Understanding Care

+ What Is an Independent Carer?:

An independent carer is a care professional who works directly with individuals and families rather than being employed and allocated by a traditional care agency.

Many independent carers are self-employed and run their own small business. They may set their own availability, agree their rates and working arrangements directly with clients, send invoices and take responsibility for their own taxes and national insurance.

However, simply describing someone as self-employed does not automatically make them self-employed in law. Their true employment status depends on how the working relationship operates in practice. Some families may instead employ a carer directly, making that person a personal emplyee.

The support that is offered will depend on the individual carers experience, training, availability and professional boundaries.

+ Independent Carer vs Care Agency:

When a family uses a traditional care agency, the agency normally employs or supplies the care workers, manages the service and take responsibility for matters such as rota's, supervision and service delivery.

With an independent agreement, the family and carer usually communicate directly and agree on requirements such as:

The support required
The days and hours of work
The carers pay rate
How and when payments will be made
What should happen if the carer is unavailable
The terms of their working relationship

Why families may choose an independent carer over a care agency:

Greater choice
More continuity
Direct communication
A more personal relationship
Greater flexibility

+ Is Independent care right for everyone? and how FirstHello will help:

Independent care can offer greater choice and continuity, but families may also take on more responsibility for checking documents, agreeing terms, managing payments and planning for occassions when the regular carer is unavailable. Some families may prefer the additional management structure of an agency. Others may value the direct and personal nature of working with an independent professional. There is no single arrangment that is right for everyone. What matters is finding support that is safe, reliable and suited to the individual.

Arranging care directly can come with additional responsibilities. Families may need to manage the details of their care whilst independent carers must balance delivering high-quality care with running their own business. FirstHello is being designed to bring those two sides together. Our aim is to offer the freedom and personal choice of independent care, supported by practical tools that make the arrangement easier to manage.

Families will be able to explore independent carer profiles and learn more about each person's:

Experience and relevant training
Services and areas of support
Availability
Rates
Location and travel area
Personal approach to care

Rather than having a carer allocated through an agency rota, families can make their own informed choices and connect with someone who feels right for them.

FirstHello will allow families and carers to communicate directly, ask questions and discuss expectations before agreeing to work together. This gives both sides the opportunity to decide whether the arrangement feels suitable before the first booking takes place. The platform is intended to make arranging care more straightforward by helping families and carers:

Request and confirm care visits
View upcoming bookings
Manage availability
Keep track of agreed dates and times
Receive booking updates and reminders
Record changes or cancellations

This means carers can remain in control of their working hours, while families have a clearer view of the support they have arranged.

FirstHello is also being developed to support payments through the platform. Families will be able to pay for agreed bookings in one place, while carers have clearer record of the work they have completed and the payments connected to it. This could reduce the need for families and carers to manage seperate bank transfers, payment messages or handwritten records. The exact payment process and platform charges will be clearly explained before anyone confirms a booking. FirstHello will not choose a carer on behalf of a family or control how an independent carer runs their business. Instead, the platform is intended to support both sides with the practical parts of arranging care, while leaving the important decisions for the people involved.

Families retain choice.

Independent carers retain control.

FirstHello is the platform that makes all the inbetween process' easier to manage.

+ Home Care Explained:

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+ Live in Care Explained:

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+ Overnight Care Explained:

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+ Respite Care Explained:

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+ Companionship Explained:

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+ Personal Care Explained:

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Independent Carers

+ How to Become an Independent Carer:

Becoming an independent carer can give you something many care professionals are looking for: more control over how you work, who you work with and the relationships you build with the people you support. But independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. There are responsibilities that come with working for yourself, from insurance and training to tax, record keeping and finding your own clients. Here's what you need to know before getting started:

1. Understand what being an independent carer means

An independent carer is someone who provides care directly to an individual or family rather than working as an employee of a traditional care agency. You are generally responsible for managing your own business, including your availability, rates, clients and administration. This can offer much greater flexibility, but it also means taking responsibility for the business side of your work. Before making the move, think about what you want your independent care business to look like.

Ask yourself:

What type of care do I want to provide?
What hours do I want to work?
How far am I prepared to travel?
What types of clients do I feel confident supporting?
What rate would I need to earn for independent care to be financially worthwhile?
Am I comfortable managing the responsibilities of being self-employed?

2. Make sure you have the right experience and skills

There isn't one single route into independent care. Your previous experience might include working in a care home, domiciliary care, supported living, nursing or another health and social care setting. The important thing is being honest about what you are trained and competent to do. Think carefully about the types of support you are able to offer and don't take on tasks outside your competence simply because a client asks. Your experience is one of your biggest assets as an independent carer, so make sure your professional profile reflects it.

3. Complete relevant training

Your training should reflect the type of care you intend to provide. Depending on your role and the people you support, this could include areas such as:

Safeguarding
Moving and handling
Infection prevention and control
First aid
Medication awareness
Dementia awareness
Mental health awareness
Food hygiene
Equality, diversity and inclusion

Keep records of your training and make sure you understand when refresher training is required. Keeping your knowledge up to date is part of being a responsible independent professional.

4. Arrange appropriate insurance

Insurance is an important part of working independently. You should consider what cover is appropriate for the services you provide, which may include public liability and professional indemnity insurance. Your exact requirements will depend on your circumstances and the work you undertake, so it's important to obtain appropriate professional advice rather than assuming one policy covers everything. Don't simply look for the cheapest policy. Make sure you understand exactly what you're covered for.

5. Decide how you will operate your business

You'll need to consider your self-employed status and how you will manage your business financially. Many independent carers operate as sole traders, although there are other business structures available. You'll need to understand your responsibilities around:

Registering as self-employed where required
Keeping accurate financial records
Declaring your income
Paying tax and National Insurance where applicable
Keeping receipts and records of allowable business expenses

If you're unsure about your tax responsibilities, speak to HMRC or a qualified accountant. Being self-employed doesn't have to be complicated, but it does need to be taken seriously.

6. Set your rates

One of the biggest advantages of independent care is having more control over what you charge. But your rate needs to work for both you and the client.

Consider:

Your experience and qualifications
The type of care you're providing
The complexity of the support
Your local market
Travel time and costs
Insurance
Training
Tax
Holiday and sickness periods
The amount you need to earn to make self-employment sustainable

Remember that your hourly rate isn't the same as an employee's hourly wage. As a self-employed carer, you're responsible for costs and periods when you aren't working.

7. Decide how you will find clients

This is one of the biggest challenges for new independent carers. You might find clients through:

Personal recommendations
Local community groups
Networking
Social media
Existing professional connections
Local organisations
Online care platforms

Your professional reputation matters enormously. A clear profile, good communication and genuine testimonials or references can help families feel confident when choosing someone to provide care.

8. Put boundaries and agreements in place

Before starting with a client, make sure both sides understand what has been agreed. This should include things such as:

What support you will provide
When you will provide it
Your rate
Cancellation arrangements
Payment arrangements
How either party can end the arrangement
What happens if you're unavailable
How concerns or changes in care needs will be handled

Clear expectations from the beginning can prevent misunderstandings later.

9. Take safeguarding seriously

Being independent does not mean being outside safeguarding responsibilities. You should understand how to recognise and report concerns about abuse, neglect or exploitation. You should also know what to do if you have concerns about a client's environment, wellbeing or safety. If you're unsure about a safeguarding situation, seek appropriate professional advice rather than trying to manage a serious concern alone.

10. Don't underestimate the business side

This is the part that can catch people out. You may have chosen independent care because you want to spend more time caring and less time dealing with agency processes. But you'll still have your own administration to manage.

You may need to keep track of:

📅 Bookings and availability
💷 Income and payments
📄 Insurance and documentation
🎓 Training and renewals
🧾 Expenses and tax records
📝 Care notes and records
💬 Communication with clients and families

Being independent shouldn't mean being isolated. Having good systems in place from the beginning can make running your business much easier.

+ Is becoming an independent carer right for you?

Independent care can offer freedom, flexibility and meaningful relationships, but it isn't the right choice for everyone. Before making the move, consider both sides.

Thinking about becoming an independent carer?

You don't need to have everything figured out today. Start by understanding what independent care involves, identify what you already have in place, and make a plan for the areas you still need to work on. Independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. FirstHello is being built to help you do it with the right support around you.

+ Insurance Explained:

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+ DBS Checks Explained:

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+ Marketing Yourself:

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+ Setting Your Prices:

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+ Managing Your Diary:

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+ Building Trust with Families:

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