DOMICILIARY CARE WORKERS: Roles, Benefits & Everything You Need

Caring for others as much as you would care for yourself or want to be cared for is a virtue that not many individuals possess—it comes naturally. Showing genuine concern for the elderly or the disabled is a great thing. As a profession, though underrated, it still doesn’t undermine its impact on people’s lives. Therefore, the care profession will always be one of the most in-demand services, and with so many different care services available, it’s critical to grasp the numerous tasks that are necessary for each care profession. In this article, we will be discussing Domiciliary Care workers’ rights and agency insurance. In addition, we would discuss the mandatory training for domiciliary care workers, as well as their responsibilities.

If you have this genuine passion and concern for the well-being of others, this post is for you. Read on to find out more about the job and how you can apply to become a domiciliary care worker and make a huge difference in someone’s life.

What is Domiciliary care?

Domiciliary care is when a person receives additional assistance from a competent caregiver, such as with home responsibilities, to help them preserve their independence and quality of life. Depending on the individual’s needs, this form of care might range from 30 minutes per week to frequent daily visits. If more care is required than a domiciliary care agency can provide, there is the option of live-in care, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For many people, domiciliary care is a very gratifying profession. A natural predisposition to actually care about how their client feels and how well they do their work will make all the difference for these folks. A successful career, however, requires a combination of a desire to care for people, a passion for the job, a level-headed approach, and a practical skillset.

For those who are unfamiliar with domiciliary care, it is important to note that anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can benefit from this form of care at any point in their life. For patients leaving the hospital, help in the comfort of their own home is a more reassuring alternative than a protracted stay in a hospital setting. Domiciliary care workers can assist with a variety of chores such as personal care, prescription management, shopping, and providing more specialized care such as dementia and palliative care. The services are personalized to each individual and are typical practice during rehabilitation, convalescence, and recuperation periods.

Read further to find out the roles of domiciliary care workers and how to apply

Who is a Domiciliary Care worker?

This is a care professional who visits clients in their homes and assists them in remaining self-sufficient. Because everyone is unique, the degree and amount of care provided may fluctuate depending on the needs of the customers. The client may require a caregiver for one hour per week or for several hours per day – the length of time required varies. It can also be transitory – some people may require care while recovering from an illness, whereas in other circumstances, the care is long-term. Some domiciliary workers work evenings to care for patients who require 24-hour care.

While they play a vital role in many people’s lives, it is crucial to remember that the UK standards of domiciliary care agencies enable care workers to only administer pharmaceuticals that have been prescribed by a doctor, not over-the-counter medications. Domiciliary care workers are not necessarily certified nurses; this means that the only qualification is genuine concern for others. If a more complex issue arises with your client, you should seek the services of a properly qualified expert.

Role of Domiciliary Caregivers

The first responsibility of domiciliary care professionals is to visit the client on a regular or scheduled basis. During their visit, they will assist with all of the tasks listed below while maintaining privacy, discretion, and respect throughout all activities, as well as service users’ dignity, privacy, and independence to the greatest extent possible:

Working as a domiciliary caregiver entails

#1. Personal care

Domiciliary workers duties can vary greatly, as there is a delicate line between routine care activities and providing medical help, which is not the aim of domiciliary workers. Some of the most basic instances of personal care include assisting people in and out of beds and chairs, as well as supporting the client in getting some clothes on if necessary.

Furthermore, workers may need assistance with all elements of personal hygiene, depending on the circumstances and agreement. This includes washing, shaving, and showering, as well as assistance with access to restrooms.

#2. Assisting the client in taking prescribed medication and promoting their independence

As previously stated, the key reason to choose a domiciliary care agency over other options is that it promotes the client’s independence. Although the caregiver’s duty includes all of the actions above, chores should always be run with the client’s independence in mind so that they can live their life regularly. 

#3. Dietary Care and Social Engagement

Preparation of snacks and meals based on the preferences and dislikes of the service user.

As needed, assist with feeding. One of the sad realities of persons in need of care is that they are frequently alone or isolated from society, which is where caregivers come in. Because they are regularly with the client, it is more likely that they will build a friendship, making the client feel at ease, serene, and socially active.

#4. Household / Domestic Services:

• General cleaning duties include cleaning/dusting/vacuuming/polishing.
• Bed-making.
• removing waste and trash
• Laundry / Hand-washing / Ironing / Light needlework as needed
• Fuel Administration.
• Shopping, as well as shopping list preparation and budgeting advice.
• Light gardening duties (subject to previous approval at the Care Plan stage) (subject to previous agreement at the Care Plan stage).
• Accompanying the client to doctor’s or hospital appointments

Because the position of a domiciliary care worker is paramount to the individual and their various requirements, the roles are diverse, which helps to keep the job interesting and enhances job satisfaction and motivation.

Benefits of Domiciliary Care Worker

Working with a domiciliary care agency can be a fulfilling professional path that leads to a long-term, stable career.

Consider the following advantages:

• It feels amazing to make a difference in people’s lives! Caring for others is both inherently important and a tremendous luxury.
• You will not be confined to a desk in an office; instead, you will be free to visit various people in various settings.
• It’s a pleasant job. As you get to know your clients and interact with them throughout the day, you will form friendships and delightful relationships. Yes, being a caregiver is a difficult job, but there will be times when you are sitting down, speaking with a client over a cup of coffee, and getting paid for it!
• The knowledge and skills you will receive will benefit your family.
• Your days will be different, which will keep you from getting bored with your job.
• Work arrangements that are adaptable to your lifestyle.
• Possibility of advancement through transferable talents.
• You get to meet individuals from many walks of life and gain a new perspective.
• Ongoing education and training. Although you do not need qualifications to become a domiciliary caregiver, you can obtain them on the job while working towards a degree. We would be discussing later the mandatory training for domiciliary care workers but first, let us look at the care workers’ rights

Domiciliary Care Workers’ Rights

Domiciliary care workers’ rights have recently come to the forefront of social care media. As a result, now is a good time to review the basic rights of domiciliary care workers that every home care professional is entitled to, so you know what to expect from your employer or care agency.

The following are some of the concerns about domiciliary care workers’ rights. Join us as we go over the most frequently asked questions concerning pay rates, travel expenses, and rest breaks, so you have all the information you require!

#1. What are domiciliary care workers’ wage rights?

Home care labor can be emotionally and physically taxing, yet it is necessary to aid millions of people globally! Work deserves excellent remuneration and must meet the National Minimum Wage.

Never assume that working for a miniature domiciliary care agency entitles you to pay less than the minimum.

#2. Am I entitled to reimbursement for my travel expenses?

Travel is an unavoidable element of being a professional domiciliary caregiver – jetting between appointments, to and from client dwellings, assisting folks with day trips, and, of course, your daily commute!  The domiciliary care workers’ rights provide that you are liable to travel expenses, even if you are on a zero-hours contract.

Traveling to and from work may not require reimbursement, but travel meant to perform your job should be. As a result, the minimum hourly rate is applicable to the following:

• The time you devote to your clients
• Travelling to and from meetings
• Awaiting your appointment time.

It’s usual to be on the move, so keep track of your travel hours!

#3. Can home care workers take a break?

Indeed, there are rules in the UK governing working hours and rest breaks, and the domiciliary care workers’ rights are equivalent.

In general, there are three sorts of rest breaks which are:

• Work rest breaks enable workers to 20 minutes of relaxation for every six-hour shift. That could be a simple lunch break or your supper, and it can be free.
• Daily rest periods: All employees are entitled to 11 hours off between working days. If you work long domiciliary care shifts, as workers’ rights you must have that time between the end of the previous day and your start time the next day.
• Weekly rest periods: Everyone should get at least 24 hours a week with no job obligations and 48 hours off every two weeks.

It can be difficult to take rest breaks when caring for a client one-on-one. However, it is critical to ensure that your average working hours continue to protect your rights as a domiciliary care worker.

#4. Can home care workers be hired on a zero-hours contract?

Yes, a zero-hours contract entails receiving all of the protections granted to domiciliary care workers but not being guaranteed a minimum or fixed number of hours per week.

You are, however, still entitled to all of the following work benefits:

• Hourly wage minimum
• Annual leave required by law
• Pay for being on-call or traveling for work purposes

Given the high need for social care workers, it’s doubtful that you won’t find yourself working on a zero-hours contract, but make sure you understand your rights.

How to Get a Job as a Domiciliary Caregiver

It is essential that you have a valid, clean UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle. Academic qualifications such as degrees, A-Levels, or GCSEs are normally not required, however, first aid skills and an NVQ in Health and Social Care (levels 2 and 3) are preferred. This would prepare you to work with clients who have dementia or learning disabilities.

Background checks, such as a criminal record check and a medical check, will also be required through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Volunteer work will also be beneficial because work experience is necessary.

Apprenticeships are also offered, in which you begin as a care assistant to gain experience and train on the job.

As a domiciliary care worker, you will receive on-the-job training in health and safety and food hygiene. You must also complete a 12-week induction to ensure that you meet the UK’s mandated minimum standards of care. This plan includes:

• Stewardship
• Health and security
• Equality
• Integration

Mandatory Training for Domiciliary Care Workers

To be a competent caregiver, there are necessary skills you’d need to acquire to enable your agency as well as your clients to be able to trust you. This is the reason mandatory training for domiciliary workers is important. Hence, an online course was created to meet the learning outcomes specified in the Skills for Health UK Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) recommendations for health and social care providers. This mandatory training for domiciliary care workers include the following:

• Information governance
• Dispute resolution
• Managing Aggression and Violence
• lone employee
• Handling Complaints
• Human rights, equality, and diversity
• Levels 1 and 2 of adult protection
• Levels 1 and 2 of child protection
• Deprivation of Liberty & Mental Capacity Course on Safeguards (DoLS)
• Act Concerning Mental Health
• Mental health education
• Awareness of Learning Disabilities
• Alzheimer’s disease awareness
• Levels 1 and 2 of infection prevention and control
• Food security
• Fire protection
• Level 2 in moving and handling
• Level 2 basic life support
• Care planning and documentation
• Medication administration

Each mandatory training module in this online bundle for domiciliary care workers takes about 60 minutes to complete. The time it takes to complete each module relies on your prior knowledge and work experience. You can finish it in one sitting or STOP and RESUME. Your course progress and certifications will be saved.

You must complete an online evaluation after completing all online learning materials for each training module. This online test is designed to check your knowledge of the mandatory training module and regulatory requirements. To pass, you must score at least 80%. If you fail the knowledge test, don’t worry, you can retake the course evaluation at no additional cost.

FAQs’ On Domiciliary Care Workers