What is a 'personal carer' and what is the average hourly rate?

Answer 1

Ok, I used to be a care assistant full time and part of my current job I'm occasionally needed to assist people who use our service (service users) with their personal care needs.

This is a typical job description for a home care assistant, working in the service users own home...


The tasks and expectations of a home carer will include:

Assisting service users with personal care tasks which will include; washing, dressing, showering, bathing, dressing and undressing, oral hygiene, toiletting and getting in and out of bed.

Assisting service users with their mobility using the appropriate equipment as instructed

Preparing and/or heating meals, drinks and evening snacks where necessary

Providing assistance with continence including: help with continence pads, toileting, catheter and colostomy care and emptying and cleaning commodes.

Maintaining an hygienic environment

Domestic cleaning, doing the laundry and fire lighting (where it is specified on the care plan)

Shopping, collecting the pension/prescription and paying bills.

Monitoring food and drink intake

Enabling service users to take their prescribed medication and completing the necessary documentation.

The hourly rate depends on the level of care needed, the eperience the person has, geographical location and of course the country.
In the south of England you can expect to be paid about £6 per hour.

I hope this helps.