Starter pack
Carer starter pack
A practical checklist for taking on your first private care client — save it, print it, or just work through it once.
Before your first client
• Register as self-employed with HMRC • Apply for an enhanced DBS check • Arrange public liability and professional indemnity insurance • Decide your standard, weekend, and bank holiday rates • Keep basic training current — moving and handling, safeguarding, first aid
Your paperwork
• A written agreement with each client — rates, hours, notice period • A care plan agreed with the family before you start • A simple way to log every visit — what was done, how the person seemed • A record of your hours worked, ready to invoice against
What to bring to a visit
• Gloves and an apron if you're providing personal care • Something to log the visit with, on paper or on your phone • Any manual handling equipment agreed with the family in advance • The care plan itself, or quick access to it
Your first visit with a new client
• Introduce yourself and take time to build rapport before diving into tasks • Go through the care plan together and check nothing's missing • Agree how and when you'll update the family — after every visit, or just if something changes • Log the visit before you leave, while it's fresh
For more on becoming a private carer, see the Become a Private Carer guide. Once you're set up, Care Companion keeps your contracts, visit logs, and invoicing in one place — free to get started.
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