new job home carer - is this normal?

Sommer43

Am I reading this correctly? You get paid £100 if you remain as an unpaid carer for three months?

I'm almost speechless if this is the case. More speechless if you've agreed to this.

Care agencies are notorious, however, my friend is a carer and her agency pays her for her hours and has done since the beginning.

Help me out here, as I am either thick or reading what I think I am reading?

Mojisola

Do they pay you travelling time or petrol costs?

junkmayle

Mumto2loves - If this company really are 'screaming out for workers' when there is a pool of available labour of at least 2.5 million, they are doing something seriously wrong.

Look at how they are treating you. They have already got you paying for their business costs (CRB check), messing about adding you to a rota that you have told them you cannot work and only giving you three hours work per week. All for NMW plus you seem to be paying for petrol.

What does your gut tell you about this outfit?

Observing_Mum

My son has been having home carers for the last 14 years. We have seen dozens of carers from lots of different agencies and have spoken to them over how they get treated.
Time and time again it seems these agencies are set up to maximise their profits at the carers and clients expense. Usually carers do pay for their own CRBs. We know of one agency that would keep the money for the CRB in it's bank account for three months before processing it. Multiply that by several hundred applicants and the agency is quids in.
Agencies do lie to carers of hourly pay rates, expenses etc. Some will pay for you attending training courses. Many don't. Some will not even offer you a hot drink whilst you are there. Some pay for uniforms, others don't though you may be able to claim some tax expenses for these. It is also worth checking if your clients prefer you to wear the uniform. I know my son prefers his carers to dress in civvies. It makes him feel less disabled.
You have to be firm with the agency and make it clear what hours you are available for. No doubt they will accuse you of being inflexible but the idea is it should fit in with your life. Sadly because it is agency work you will find you have fewer rights. Agencies can be vindictive and offer you know work or deliberately offer you hows they know you cannot work. As long as you "help them out" you will be there best worker but the first time you say no they turn on you.
Some agencies take on people with no previous experience of paid care work and it is these agencies that are the worst.
I know this must sound very negative but what I can say is as a profession you are valued and worth you weight in gold to us. A good carer makes a huge difference to my son's quality of life and for that I can never thank them enough.

Observing_Mum

Should have read my post before forwarding!
Meant to say they will offer you hours they know you cannot do. They then turn round and say you keep refusing the work.