You Can Care Week 2023 - Become a Live-In Care Professional

1. How long have you worked for Home Instead?

I joined Home Instead in May 2022.

2. What do you most enjoy about your role as a Care Professional?

I come from an HR and Accounts background and moved to the domiciliary care sector with another care company. I became unhappy when I was unable to give my best to the clients within a 30 minutes care call and decided to become a Live-In Care Professional for Home Instead.

Here I enjoy all aspects of the role as it is client led. I enjoy ensuring my client makes her own decisions around how her day unfolds as this helps her to retain independence and stay in her own home. It’s important to me to not “take over” but to go with the client’s needs as they arise. We have a good relationship and often share a laugh during the day.

3. In this “cost of living crisis” how beneficial is it to work in Social Care – what perks do you enjoy?

Living with a client and being available for 24/7 support, means less wear and tear on my car as I am already here.

4. What advice would you give to someone who was considering changing their career path to one in Social Care?

I would be honest and say it can be a very challenging sector but also very rewarding. I have already persuaded 3 other people to join this sector and they are all glad they did. When people transfer to care from other sectors, they have many transferable skills that give them a wider view of this job alongside the specialist training they receive.

It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and the rewards are out of this world.

To know I have made someone feel good in my daily job is fulfilling and I love the fun and banter I have with my client.