FAQs for carers
If you think you'd like to become a carer for Corinium Care, please take the time to read through the information contained in the questions and answers below.
At Corinium Care we do understand that for candidates coming from abroad, working in the UK is an expensive, time-consuming and disruptive process.
Before finalising details it's important to make sure you have all the information you need and that becoming a carer is the right line of work for you.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call the Corinium Team on +44 (0)1453 839290.
Q: Why Corinium Care?
A: Corinium Care is recognised as one of the most professional agencies in the country, reflected in our Care Quality Commission report which recently awarded us a 3 star excellent rating.
Our training is first class. All successful applicants attend a free introduction-to-caring training programme before being registered with our agency. This ensures that all new applicants are adequately prepared for their role as 24-hour live in carers and feel confident working with our clients.
We pride ourselves in personally assessing both our clients and carers which enables us to match the individual needs of the clients with the particular skills of the carers. In addition, we have a 24-hour support system in place should an emergency arise.
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Q: What documentation do I need to include with my application?
A: Please include as many of the following documents as possible with your completed application:
- passport (or birth certificate)
- your eligibility to work in the UK (if applicable)
- police clearance from your home country (if applicable)
- driving licence
- birth certificate
- marriage certificate
- copies of any relevant certificates
In addition, the following are required before we can process your application. Failure to provide them will delay your application:
- your CV
- 2 recent photographs
- proof of current address, eg, a utility bill, bank statement, phone bill, photo card driving licence.
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Q: How do I apply for a work permit?
A: British and EU passport holders are able to work in the UK without restrictions. If you are applying from outside these countries you will require a work permit. If you are a Commonwealth citizen and have a grandparent born in the UK you are entitled to an ancestral visa.
We recommend that you approach your local British consulate who will be able to advise on the type of visa you require. You will then need to send all the relevant forms and documents to the British consulate office in your home country. This can take some time so please allow for delay.
We also accept applications from those who are married to a member of an EEA national (spousal visa), have Indefinite Leave to Remain, Right to Abode, have been granted asylum, or have qualified for a visa on the UK points-based system.
Please note that we will need to see all relevant work permits and Home Office letters before you are able to register with our agency. As all of our carers are self-employed we are unable to register applicants with a student visa, nor are we able to organise work permits. You may find the following websites useful:
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Q: Do I need police clearance?
A: All carers are legally required to undergo an enhanced UK criminal record check (CRB) including a check with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). If your application is successful you will be provided with all the necessary forms. The current fee is £63.20. Please note that current legislation means that CRB checks are non-transferable and you will need to obtain a new disclosure for each health care employer that you join. In addition, international carers are required to provide a police check from their home country. We are aware that this may prove difficult if you are already in the UK but we do request that you look into it.
www.disclosure.gov.uk
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Q: Can I apply to Corinium Care if I have a past criminal conviction?
A: If you have committed an offence your suitability to be a live-in carer will be evaluated against the type of offence, whether it is 'spent' or 'unspent', when it was committed, and whether Corinium Care feels it would have any influence on your ability to be a safe and effective carer without putting anyone at risk. If you would like further information on your rights, please see the CRB's code of practice found at www.crb.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=311 Alternatively the charity NACRO can offer free guidance.
They can be contacted on 020 7840 7200 or see http://www.nacro.org.uk/
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Q: Do I need an international driving licence?
A: It is not essential but preferable. Depending on your home country you can usually drive on your current driving licence for a year without applying for an international driver’s licence. An international driver’s licence is obtainable through either the AA or RAC. Some insurance or hire companies can require you to have an international licence, so it is best to look into acquiring one.
http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/index.html
http://www.rac.co.uk/travelservices/int_driving_permit/
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Q: Can I drive on my licence even if it is not a UK licence?
A: You are eligible to drive on your original drivers licence for up to a year from the last date of entry into the UK. If you remain in the UK after that year has ceased you MUST apply for a British drivers licence.
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Q: What insurance do I need if using my own car at work?
A: If you are required to drive a client’s car, make sure that either your own or the client’s insurance policy covers you. Corinium Care is not liable in the event of an accident. If you prefer to use your own car to drive the client or use your car during your stay, please ensure your insurance policy covers you for business use. This usually does not incur any extra cost, but we do advise you to contact your own insurance company to check.
If you intend to use your own car we MUST have a copy of your driving licence, insurance policy and certificate for your file before we can introduce you to a client who requires a driver.
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Q: How is my application processed?
A: On receipt of your completed application form and the relevant documentation we will contact you to discuss your application, letting you know if further information or documents are required. Before we can process your application we require two satisfactory responses from your referees. In the case of international referees it is advisable to provide email addresses or fax numbers to speed up the process.
As soon as we have received suitable responses and approved your application we invite you to attend our induction and training course. This is a five-day course held once a month at our offices in Gloucestershire.
Please bear in mind we cannot book you on to the training programme until we have completed all your paperwork, and only after the five days of interview, induction, training and assessment will we be able to finalise your application to be on our register of carers.
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Q: What does the Corinium Care induction and training involve?
A: Our induction and training course is held over five days and is an introduction to Corinium Care, how we work and preparation for work with our clients. It includes an interview with a care manager so that we can assess the type of client that would best suit you.
Applicants are required to complete a number of questionnaires and scenario tests to assist the Corinium Care team in understanding more about your approach to the caring process. It is a fairly intensive course and homework is supplied on a few evenings.
Our courses are held one week per month, Monday to Friday, and we recommend you reserve your place on a training course before making your travel arrangements.
Included in the Corinium Care training course is moving and handling and First Aid, which are both very physical, so you need to be relatively fit. Practical tasks include kneeling on the floor and getting back on your feet so you must feel comfortable in your ability to do this.
You are required to sign a disclaimer stating you have no serious back problems and that you are not pregnant. These are both essential sections of the course, and failure of one or both of these modules will result in a carer not being put forward for work.
We also use the training week to complete any paperwork. Please note: we will need to see either certified copies or originals of at least three of the following documents: passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, driving licence (UK), utility bill or bank/phone statement.
Click here to see a sample training schedule.
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Q: Where will I stay during the training course?
A: Accommodation is organised on a first-come first-served basis and we work with a few local B&Bs which offer discounted rates to our carers. Prices vary from about £25-£30 per night which includes breakfast each day and transport to and from the office (if located outside Nailsworth.)
We recommend you arrive at your allocated hotel on the Sunday night. Alternatively, if you have friends or family who live nearby and choose to stay with them, by all means do, but please note you will need to organise your own transport to and from the office.
Training starts at 9am each day and finishes at 5pm. Buses number 46 and 93 travel hourly from Stroud to Nailsworth. Please see http://www.stagecoachbus.com/ for specific timetables.
We require a £30 deposit to confirm your place on the course and secure your accommodation which will be refunded on the completion of the course. We cannot confirm your booking until we have received this deposit. Anyone who cancels their booking less than a week before the start of the course will not receive a refund
If you're new to the UK and arriving in London, you might find these documents helpful: Arriving in London, Useful websites for carers.
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Q: Do I need any qualifications to become a carer?
A: You do not need any specific qualifications to become a carer. Caring relies on your attitude and ability to be compassionate, patient and understanding. Certain qualities make a better carer, ie, flexibility, cheerfulness, a good sense of humour and excellent housekeeping skills. Our preferred criteria is for carers to be a driver, non-smoker, have good housekeeping skills and be good with household pets. Experience can be a major advantage but is not essential and can be gained on the job.
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Q: Is there anything I need to do before attending the training course?
A: We do suggest that overseas carers try to allow a few days after arriving in the country to organise bank accounts, mobile phones, sim cards and travel arrangements, etc. Although Nailsworth, where Corinium Care is based, has most amenities, shops and businesses are only open between 9am and 5pm which is when the course is taking place. If you want to start work with the minimum delay we recommend that you sort out the above before the course begins.
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Q: When should I arrive in the UK?
A: When arriving in the UK, please book your ticket to arrive a few days before starting work. We are not keen on carers flying in and working the same day, just in case flights are delayed. Arriving early will help eliminate any unnecessary stress for both you and the client.
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Q: Do I need to pay for anything?
A: During the training week, you will need to pay for the following:
- Transport to your B&B the day before the course starts
- Accommodation priced at £25-£30 per night (subject to change)
- CRB fee, £63.20
- Care information file, £5
We provide a free hot lunch each day and your B&B offers a breakfast each morning.
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Q: How do I get a tax code?
A: All carers are self-employed and as such are responsible for paying their own tax. You will need to register as self-employed (the links below should help). We recommend that you telephone your local tax office in the UK and ask them to send you a self-employment information pack or we can supply you with one during the training if you wish.
www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/menus/non-residents.htm
www.inlandrevnue.gov.uk/startingup
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Q: How do I get a National Insurance number?
A: You will need to contact your local Jobcentreplus and make an appointment. To find your local branch please call 0845 600 0643 or conduct a search via their website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
At the interview with Corinium Care you will need to prove your identity. If you are over 60 years old then you need to apply for a National Insurance number but you will also need to ask for an exemption certificate because you won’t have to pay National Insurance.
We advise that you look into doing this before coming to the training because taking a day off whilst working could mean that you will need to take a whole week off. As you are not employed by us and will be registered as self-employed you do not have to wait until after the training to apply for your NI number.
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Q: How do I arrange local travel?
A: Public transport in the UK is on the whole very reliable and stress free – if in doubt please ask someone or visit a local Tourist Information office.
All bus and train stations supply free timetables and information. Alternatively the following website addresses and telephone numbers should assist you in making travel arrangements.
With regards to travel costs, if you can plan more than a week in advance you will find the rates considerably reduced. It is always worth planning ahead.
- National Express coaches: 0870 580 8080
- Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950
- Train Line: 0870 608 2 608 / 01344 868688
The clients pay travel expenses to a placement, up to a certain amount, but they are not expected to pay homeward travel. You must pay this yourself and invoice your clients at the end of your booking.
For new carers travelling from South Africa and Zimbabwe, you will probably arrive at Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5. You might find the following documents useful:Arriving in London, Useful websites for carers.
If you are coming directly to us in Gloucestershire for a training course there are a couple of travel options from the airport. First, trains go directly to Stroud from London Paddington: take the shuttle from the airport to Paddington. Second, you can get a bus from Heathrow bus station to Reading train station and then travel to Stroud by train. You will need to catch the X25 service from Heathrow Central, stop 11.
www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow/getting_here_frame.html
www.baa.co.uk/pdf/central_04.pdf
www.nationalexpress.com
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.traveline.org.uk
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Q: Do I need a mobile phone?
A: A mobile phone is something we would highly recommend because carers are not always based in the same place. Having a mobile (cell) phone means that both Corinium Care staff and your family will always be able to contact you on. It can also severely reduce stress on handover days when delays can cause problems and good communication is of the essence.
Carers from abroad will need to buy a new sim card for their phone and possibly a new phone. www.shop.orange.co.uk/shop/show/offer/online_payg
www.shop.o2.co.uk/cgi-bin/o2uk/jsp/handset/SelectHandset.do?paramName=prepay
http://www.virginmobile.com/mobile/
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Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Although most international carers come to the UK for a few months at a time please remember that you will be travelling around the country, probably on public transport. It is best to travel light and only bring essentials. You will have full access to the washing facilities at all clients’ homes.
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Q: Can you guarantee me work?
A: As an agency we cannot guarantee work to anyone. We simply introduce carers to clients needing care. Due to the nature of live-in care work our situation can change from day to day, eg, clients may go into hospital unexpectedly, etc. However, we work very hard to match your caring skills with the client’s needs and introduce you to as many clients as you require.
We advise that it is essential to have enough funds to cover your own accommodation and living expenses for at least 1-2 weeks during and after the interview and training process.
We work hard to ensure our clients and carers are well matched which limits stress and upset to all parties. For this very reason, however, it may not be possible to introduce work to you immediately after the training course. Click here for Terms and Conditions for carers.
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Q: What do I do if I want a week off?
A: As a self-employed carer you choose your own work pattern. You are self-employed and therefore can plan your own working pattern with regards to dates, but please try and give the Corinium Care bookings team as much notice as possible if you decide to take time off. The more notice you give us the better.
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Q: What if I only want a couple of days off?
A: We generally work Wednesday to Wednesday and the minimum placements are generally for one week. That means that if you want a couple of days off you need to take a full week off. We will happily put you on the standby list for emergency work if you find yourself available for a few spare days.
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Q: How soon can I start work?
A: We work from Wednesday to Wednesday and the client’s care is planned on a weekly basis. As carers are self-employed, you tell us when you want to work and you decide how many weeks you want to work for. If you would like work as soon as possible and we have all the appropriate paperwork we will endeavour to look for work for you from the first Wednesday following your interview and training. However, we prefer to place you with the right client from the start, rather than rush you into an unsuitable placement. There may also be occasions when we are able to introduce you to a client more rapidly after your interview, eg, within 24 hours of the end of the training course.
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Q: How are carers paid?
A: In all cases carers are responsible for their own tax and National Insurance. All jobs are paid directly by the client either by cheque or BACS. Carers are required to supply their client with an invoice stating the daily rate, any night work and travel expenses (more details will be given during the training course). To be registered with Corinium Care, it is a requirement that you are registered as self-employed. Click here for Terms and Conditions for carers.
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Q: What do I need to open a bank account?
A: We recommend that you consult your bank in your home country about operating a bank account in the UK. Your local bank may have a special relationship with a bank in the UK and be able to assist in setting up an account over there.
Those coming from abroad may find it tricky setting up a bank account in the UK as each bank has a different policy and applies different conditions. You must assume that it will take at least 2-3 weeks to open an account and make provisions for your finances in the interim.
Most banks require more than one proof of your address in the UK. These can be in the form of utility bills, or official letters from different sources.
We recommend you open an account in a branch close to your base address in the UK. It is also useful to bring a letter of reference from your own bank stating how long you have banked with them, what accounts you operate and credit rating. Bank statements for at least the last three months are also helpful.
There are companies which help organise bank accounts (web-address below) but these can be expensive. We encourage all carers to try and arrange a bank account before coming to the training.
Most banks will need proof of a UK address. If you cannot supply this they will write to your bank at home for confirmation. This can take 4 to 6 weeks. You must have your current home bank account details when visiting the UK bank. Please note that we cannot provide you with a letter confirming your registration with our agency until you have completed the training course and been accepted.
Another option is a passport account through HSBC. The UK Corinium Care office can help you to open this account once you are registered with our agency. You will be required to supply HSBC with the past 3 months’ bank statements from your current bank account, a certified copy of two forms of ID and two proofs of address (no more than three months old).
www.workgateways.com/working-uk-banking.html
www.offshore.hsbc.com/hsbc/main/bank-accounts/offshore-bank-account
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Q: Do I need a base address in the UK?
A: Yes, we do recommend that you have some form of base address in the UK. This is for two reasons. First, work is never guaranteed and we cannot promise that there will not be the odd week where work is not available and you will need somewhere to stay. Second, applying for bank accounts, National Insurance numbers, criminal records checks, etc will all require you to provide a UK address. Due to the tightening up of legislation it is now near impossible to get a bank account in the UK without firm proof of a UK address. For this you will need a utility bill, credit card bill, etc.
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Q: How can I receive mail?
A: Having a base address is the easiest option for receiving mail. But please never give out a client’s address to friends, family and/or business organisations such as mail order catalogue companies, because all client information is strictly confidential. If you have an important letter which it is essential to receive, we are happy for it to be sent to the Corinium Care office and we will forward it onto you, wherever you might be based. We do ask, however, that this service is not abused. As you can imagine, with more than half of our carers coming from abroad, it would be an enormous task to forward personal mail to every one of them.
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Q: What area does Corinium Care cover?
A: We are a nationwide company but the majority of our clients are based in the south of the UK and Wales. We do also have clients further north in Northampton and Scotland. The company is growing all the time, as is the area we cover.
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Q: What can I earn?
A: You can earn between about £450 to £600 per week, with daily rates ranging from £65 to £95. The rates depend on your experience and the level of care you can provide. You will also receive a travel allowance of £40 per week and night call charges may apply.
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Q: What are the dialling codes to the UK?
A: To call Zimbabwe: +263 + city area code + number you wish to call
To call South Africa: +27 + number you wish to call
To call in/out United Kingdom: +44 to dial in, and +00 to dial out
If you are calling the UK, don't forget to drop the 0 off the area code, eg. +44 (0)1453 839290
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To download the Terms and Conditions for Carers, click here
To download an Application Form
Useful websites for carers working in the UK
Arriving in London