Any Care Home Managers on here that can help me please?

woodyt

Hi there,
For the past 15 years I've been going into a couple of care homes playing my keyboard and doing musical quizzes for the residents.
I now want to branch out and get some more homes to play at but I have no idea what the 'going rate' for entertainers is?
Can anyone give me a rough guide please?
Many thanks
Woodyt

Flyonthewall

This might do better under the employment section rather than boost your income.

Why not contact homes you'd be interested in going to, see if they'd like anyone to do that and, if so, ask what they'd be happy to pay.

lincroft1710

Care homes are not renowned for their generosity towards employees or contractors, so anything above NLW rate of £7.20 per hour would be a bonus.

Wizzbang

Are you not charging currently? Would you not just use the same rate?

It really depends on the area, your level of qualification, travel and insurance and other costs and at the end of the day- what you want or need to make on top of this.

I do this work but I am a trained health professional and professional musician with ABRSM qualifications, so I can charge professional rates and I need to - to cover my insurances, professional registration with trade bodies and so on.

You should not be doing this kind of work without public liability insurance as an absolute minimum- more if you are a professional or if you are more than a sole trader. You also need business cover on your car insurance as you are carrying musical instruments and other items related to your business. If you are using electrical instruments or other equipment, you need to ensure it's all tested and safe - even more so if clients are using it. You'll also need to clean it (up to infection control standards after each use, or sometimes during depending on client group and you'd need training on how to do this). You will need to pay for DBS clearance to do this kind of work also. You need to factor in 45p per mile for travel, plus you'll want to be paid for your travel and prep time.

Most places these days also want reports written, as the care sector always has to prove that people are making progress and that their investment in these services is worthwhile (it's all about evidence-based practice). Make sure you get time out to write these and you are paid for it (loads of places will try to add this on top after). You'll also need to ensure that you are up-to-date with all necessary training (for example, you'll need safeguarding training as you'll be in direct contact with vulnerable adults, infection control and possibly other essential training too like moving and handling). You'll also need to show that you're receiving training in your field and mentorship with someone more experienced- a fellow musician also going into care homes, for example. It's no longer acceptable to come in and peddle the same thing, week in week out for months or years. You also want to cover yourself, so you're earning enough that when you take holiday you can afford to do so. Also, MAKE SURE YOU DRAFT A CONTRACT (these places are notorious for cancelling last minute and you need to have cancellation terms, so that you aren't turning down other work and then not getting paid at the last minute) and understand what your invoices legally have to contain, or you're have problems with late payments. So you can see that it all adds up.

Good luck trying to raise your rate though, if you are currently paid- money is drying up everywhere in the care sector and you're more likely to be asked to work for free than get a pay rise!