Neighbor offering to be my Dad's carer - but wants to be paid

trev22

Hi All,

not sure if anyone can help.

my dad is seriously Ill and needs a care and we have some support from the local authority but to "top" this up his neighbor has offered us as family to come in and Care for our dad for approx 30 hrs a week to supplement the care company, but wants to be paid . she is not a qualified carer and has suggested we pay her through her husbands building maintenance company .

any advise on this situation?
can we pay like this?
scope of works would need to be set out.
Covid controls?
H&S responsibilities 
any help or tips to other information would be appreciated.

Thanks
T

lisyloo

Loads of issues. Is she trained in what to do and what not to do - for example moving him or lifting him wrongly could be unsafe.

Is she versed in H&S?

Is your father shielding.

If he needs more help can you ask LA for a re-assesment? If it was me I'd rather have LA carers (and yes we do have actually experience and they were quite good and tried to send the same individuals who built up a relationship).

The money side sounds a bit dodgy, it might just be convenient as he already has a book keeper/accountant, but it also might be fraudulent. She should be paying income tax so I would steer clear of that. I suspect he pays dividends in a ltd company which are a lower rate than income tax so it's tax evasion on their part. They are responsible for paying the right tax but I think any reasonable person would not expect to pay for care to a building company so you might also be guilty of something if you did that.

pollyanna_26

I agree with lissyloo. You say your Dad is seriously ill. Apart form the fact she's not a trained carer the current Corona situation needs anyone to be aware of and complying with the rules to protect those in poor health from harm. Even if your dad is not under sheilding I would agree if you're going to pay for extra care . Speak to the LA about extra hours.

The money side of the neighbours plan sound so dodgy I wouldn;t get invoved. Someone not an experienced carer and a strange payment method raises red flags. I'd say thanks but no thanks.

polly

swingaloo

Quite apart from the money issue there are loads of questions spring to mind.
Does this neighbour already have a friendly relationship with your father?
How well does she understand his condition?
Do you or other members of your family know her well?
What steps has she taken to make you feel she is doing this because she cares about helping your father, rather than just seeing it as an opportunity?
Is your father comfortable with the idea of her caring for him?
Has she been supportive in the past, getting shopping for him, helping with small tasks, behaving as a good neighbour etc or has she suddenly seen a money making opportunity?
Is she trustworthy, would you be happy for her to be in your dads home doing whatever whilst he may be sleeping. Your carers are vetted. Will she be checked?
Would she be willing to work alongside and liaise with the current carers or does she want to do her own thing.
Would she be willing to do the hours you need her to be there or is the care on her terms? Why specifically 30 hours?
Too many unknowns here, I would be very dubious. Unless this is a lady who has kindly been popping in and out looking after him already and has put the idea because she can see your father and the family need more help than is currently available then I would be very cautious..

Mojisola

swingaloo said:

Do you or other members of your family know her well?
Has she been supportive in the past, getting shopping for him, helping with small tasks, behaving as a good neighbour etc or has she suddenly seen a money making opportunity?
Is she trustworthy, would you be happy for her to be in your dads home doing whatever whilst he may be sleeping. Your carers are vetted.

These are essential points - after he dies, are you likely to find that your father has made a new will in favour of his carer?

If it all goes wrong and you have to stop her coming in to your father, will they make his (and his official carers) lives difficult by becoming neighbours from hell?

pollyanna_26

It's just occurred to me a building maintainance company will have taken a big financial hit like other trades during the lockdown. I wouldn't touch the plan with a very large barge pole. As others have pointed out there are so many things that could impact your dads wellbeing. 30 hours at £10 per hour means she walks away with £300 each week probably tax free. She wont be insured as an unqualified carer. Many vulnerable people are financially abused in this situation.

Best to request a reassessment of your dad from the LA and see what they can offer.

polly.

jim1999

If I was going to hire a carer, without knowing a name in advance, it would be via a managed platform like https://primecarers.co.uk/ and I'd be picking someone who was vetted, qualified and experienced.

It is not an easy job, and a lot of people think it's just a good way of making a quick buck.

calleyw

Just no.  The fact you are asking on here should answer your question.   If he needs extra care than hire someone via an agency.  Also why would you pay via her husband company? sounds dodgy as hell.  If there is personal care doubt he would be happy with a neighbour doing it.  When I first read the title I thought it was maybe a neighbour who was going in to sit with him to keep him company for a while or making him meals and wanted paying.

A barge pole comes to mind.  I would not touch it with mine let alone someone elses.  Steer well clear.

Yours

Calley x

pearl123

trev22 said:

Hi All,

not sure if anyone can help.

my dad is seriously Ill and needs a care and we have some support from the local authority but to "top" this up his neighbor has offered us as family to come in and Care for our dad for approx 30 hrs a week to supplement the care company, but wants to be paid . she is not a qualified carer and has suggested we pay her through her husbands building maintenance company .

any advise on this situation?
can we pay like this?
scope of works would need to be set out.
Covid controls?
H&S responsibilities 
any help or tips to other information would be appreciated.

Thanks
T

Would you if you were in your father position want a unqualified carer? You state you father is seriously ill. This sounds like he needs someone who has experience. 

Fireflyaway

If I were in this situation id politely decline. The fact that the neighbor is not trained means she could make a mistake and cause injury to your dad or herself. As her employer ( if you went down that route) you have a duty of care under the health and safety at work act. Imagine if she slipped a disc and then tried to sue you. It could also damage the relationship between your dad and his neighbor if you decided you no longer wanted the neighbors help or she wasn't performing well enough. It could turn really nasty. Paying via her husband's company might just be a suggestion to keep things easy but it's obviously not the correct way and could backfire. There are too many risks to make it a sensible option.

suejb2

Not a chance. Change his locks.