What payment for this?

BitterAndTwisted

This is the sort of thing I'd be prepared to do at the drop of a hat for a family member, a friend or a neighbour. Is there no-one who the family knows who could be asked to give their mobile number so they could be called if they were needed?

londonsurrey

It depends on how much the person wants the work. I wouldn't offer below £10 a night for being on standby, and £10 an hour of actual work.

However, it does depend on the carer. Would they really want to give up drinking/having their arrangements compromised/dates cancelled/sleep potentially interrupted for £10 a night?

And would they really get up, get dressed, go clean/fetch for £10 an hour, or would they want a higher minimum callout fee?

newbutold

How like is she to need someone in the night? I would suggest a £20 call out fee plus £8ph. However I would really a have to trust the carer that she would actually hear and responsed to the call.

Depending on the ladies usual care needs, I would be giving serious thought to using the agencies night service for the 4 nights if I could afford it.

carolan78

I really feel for you we're going through a nightmare with my nan right (she is in hospital but it looks like she will need a nursing home). I know how important it is not just to her but to you as well to make sure she is happy.

An old school friend of mine runs an agency and I know they have someone on call 24/7 via a mobile phone incase a client needs an emergency carer. I wonder if any of the agencies near you will have this kind of facility. Then you would get the call as normal from the emergency alarm but you'd be able to contact an agency and get somebody to the house you might have to pay for x hours of care but at least you are paying because you need someone there not just on the off chance if this makes sense.

lolly_896

I work in social care, and i think a call out fee of £20 would be reasonable and then £8 an hour. I guess it also depends on how far away the "carer" lived.

Then for being on standby i would offer £10 per evening if there were no "call out"

If it is a direct neighbour i'd offer less

ANGLICANPAT

Thank you all very much for your useful inputs on this .
quote Bitter and twisted
"Is there no-one who the family knows who could be asked to give their mobile number so they could be called if they were needed?'
No, not really we are a tiny family and although its unlikely the emergency button will be pressed, its important I think to have someone who wont freak out at the sight of blood /poo/pee/vomit - hence a carer is experienced handling such events . Would feel terrible if it DID happen and we had taken up a friendly neighbour's 'offer' to man the phone and Id be on pins incase it did..
Care costs £12.50 an hr daytime £17 hr nights .) I have had an agency a bit cheaper, but wasnt satisfied with the care ) Id thought of offering a 'foreigner ' £35 a night to be on call from her home , and £12.50 an hour if called , so I dont think the finances are too out of line. .
I think I will approach the agency and ask if they might consider putting together something like Carolan mentions - that would be ideal , especially if we could have the same carer as we usually have, 'on call' but through the agency to get the insurance cover .
Many thanks for all your helpful comments.