Live-in care jobs FAQs

A live-in care role involves living with a client in their home to provide one-to-one care and around-the-clock support.  We are dedicated to providing high-quality care that enables individuals or couples to maintain their independence and quality of life in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, with the help of a compassionate, professional carer.

There are several ways in which you will care and support your client, including:

• Personal care

• Medication support

• Mobility support

• Companionship and emotional support

• Meal preparation and cooking

• Housekeeping and domestic tasks

• Health monitoring

• Transportation and running errands

• Ensuring a safe and secure environment

• Specialist care of conditions, such as dementia and Parkinson’s

• Family support

• Ensuring connections with your local community

• Respite for family carers

You may work with a variety of clients, including elderly individuals, those recovering from surgery, clients with disabilities, or those with complex medical needs. We aim to match you with clients based on your skills, experience, and preferences.

Previous care experience is preferred but not required.  This could also include experience of caring for and supporting a family member.  We value carers who are compassionate, professional, patient and willing to learn with an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those we care for.  All our carers are required to complete our market-leading in-house training endorsed by Skills for Care, before they care for a client.  You are then required to complete a two week on-boarding programme, overseen by an expert Care Consultant to ensure skills are embedded into practice. On-going and specialist training is also provided as required; with all the support you need to be successful in your role.

To apply to be a live-in carer you must have the following:

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have the Right-to-Work in the UK

• Be fluent in English

• A current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check

• Two employment references

• Possess a caring and empathetic nature aligned to our values.

Apply today - start a rewarding carer in care that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

A driving license is not required, but it can be an advantage, especially if the client needs transportation or lives in a rural area.

Yes, you can, if you have the Right-to-Work in the UK, a valid Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and meet our language requirements.

Yes.  Whether you work for our managed service, or as a self-employed introduced carer you will need a UK bank account to receive payments for your work.

The application process typically takes 2–4 weeks, depending on how quickly we receive your references, documentation, and DBS check.

This depends on the nature of your role with us.  Most carers at Consultus Care and Nursing choose to work in our managed live-in care service, where you work as employees whilst in a client placement. 

Carers welcome the levels of oversight and support this service offers them, being paid and taxed directly by us, and the many other benefits this service offers including holiday pay and travel expenses. 

Other carers choose to work as self-employed carers for our introductory live-in care service, where they are responsible for the care they provide and are paid directly by the client. 

Pay rates vary depending on whether you work in our managed live in care service or for introductory care.    Typically, live-in carers earn between £XX and £XX per week.  Our friendly Recruitment Consultants will talk you through your options when you apply.

There are number of additional benefits to working for Consultus Care and Nursing, but this depends on which live-in care service you work for, include:

• Free induction training and subsidised accommodation

• On-going training and professional development, including completion of the Care Certificate

Carers working in our managed care service receive:

• Paid holiday

• Unrivalled support through a dedicated Care Consultant local to your placement

• Access to 24/7 emergency support through an office-based team

• Travel expenses to and from your placement

• Opportunities for career progression

During indication training, you will be paid and be offered subsidised accommodation in one of our luxury carer houses near our Training Centre of Excellence endorsed by Skills for Care.  Once you start working for a client, travel costs to and from your placement will be covered by us if you work for our managed care service.  Whilst you are working in a client’s home accommodation is provided by the client and meals are typically provided whilst you are working, or a food allowance is offered.

You’ll have a private room in the client’s home, ensuring you have a comfortable and quiet space to rest during your placement.  Bathroom facilities will be made available to you, although you may not have your own bathroom.

Rotas vary according to client need, but typically placements last between two and eight weeks, sometimes longer.  You can discuss your preferences for rotation with our Recruitment Consultant during the application process.

Whilst we aim to provide regular placements, we cannot guarantee continuous work.  The availability of work depends on a client needs, and your suitability to meet those needs.  Many of our carers have worked for us for several years, and in some cases decades, and have been afforded the work they need

Our live-in care services are offered throughout England and Scotland, although our focus is primarily in the South of England.  We will consider your preferences, logistics and your suitability to a placement in meeting a client’s needs when matching you with a client.

Yes, we provide a comprehensive, market-leading training programme, which is award-winning and has been accredited by Skills for Care, all run from our dedicated Training Centre of Excellence in Kent, UK.  Induction training is face-to-face at our Training Centre, and all carers regardless of experience or the service they will be working for must complete this training before they are placed with a client.  All our carers work towards completion of the Care Certificate as part of our on-boarding programme.  Annual update, on-going and specialist training is also provided to ensure carers have the skills and expertise to provide the high-quality care our clients expect and deserve.

Yes.  At Consultus Care and Nursing many of our office and care management teams started their careers in a caring role.  We offer many opportunities for career progression, including specialist roles to support conditions, mentorship roles and management positions.

The level of support will depend on whether you are working for our managed live-in care service or our introductory service, as a self-employed carer. 

All our managed service live-in carers are afforded high levels of support from a dedicated Care Consultant local to the placement, who provides unrivalled oversight, management and support whilst you are caring for a client.  Our care management team will then provide 24/7 support should you need it. You also have access to our Care Mentor, who will provide compassionate support and guidance, and our Training Manager and Nursing Team also offer specialist support and clinical guidance throughout your placement.

If you are a self-employed carer, you are responsible for the care you provide.   We provide initial support in introducing you to your client and on-boarding you, but if there is an emergency, our carers will liaise with the nominated family member or representative to resolve issues or concerns.

Yes, we offer training in the care of specialist conditions to help carers develop skills in supporting a person with more complex needs, for example those living with dementia, other neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s or for those with palliative or end-of-life care needs.

Our recruitment process is straightforward.  Simply apply using our website, where you will be set up with an account on our Connect App where you are able to track your application throughout the process.

At point of application, you will need to upload relevant documentation, including your Right-to-Work in the UK, and a CV if you have one. 

Once you have completed the online application, one of our friendly Recruitment Consultants will be in touch to guide you through the screening and selection process.