Carer - Southwest Kent
Home Instead
The Breakroom Take
- People enjoy this job
- Pays all ages fairly
- Recommended by parents
- Respectful managers
- Proper training
About Home Instead
Home Instead is a care franchise. They offer home care for older people.
Job description from Home Instead
Home Instead is the world's leading provider of non-medical care and companionship services for older people. With minimum visits of one hour, award winning training and an excellent reputation we are immensely proud of the quality of care we provide. We match our Care Professionals to our clients based on mutual interests and hobbies to help build bonds of trust and enables us to provide personalised support.
Job Description
Each Client will have their own routine, with their own set activities. However you will be trained and willing to provide all care services to both male & female clients. We are recruiting to cover the following locations is the Southwest of Kent. Longfield, Harley, New Ash Green, Meopham through to Borough Green area.
Duties include, but not limited to:
- Assisting with personal hygiene routines
- Meal preparation
- Administering or prompting medication
- Social activities & companionship
- Ad-hoc shopping or attending appointments
- Record keeping
- Light domestic work
- Any other ad-hoc activities.
Most of our clients are classed as semi independent who manage most aspects of their daily lives. They just need a bit of help so they can remain independently living at home. Once you are matched to a client you will keep returning with the idea that you build upon your bond. Each visit is a minimum of 1-hour.
Please note peak hours are : 8.00 AM - 10.00 AM & 4.00 PM - 9.00 PM. Including alternative weekends
Qualifications
No formal qualifications needed as full training provided.
Additional Information
If you're looking for work which is extremely rewarding and satisfactory and have a high-degree of flexibility to meet our clients' needs, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us on 01959 546228
We encourage applications from all sections of the community as we want to reflect the neighbourhoods in which we work. Home Instead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. This role is subject to DBS enhanced disclosure.
Job insights from Breakroom
Care workers and assistants
Care workers and assistants help support people in their daily lives to live as independently as possible
What you’ll do as a care worker/assistant:
- Help with social or physical activities
- Household tasks, like cleaning and washing
- Support by preparing food, and providing help with eating and other tasks like bathing and getting dressed
- Check and monitor health and help with medication
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Heavy lifting
- Helping with personal care
- Physical activity
- Emotionally demanding duties
- Wearing a uniform
- Night work
- Long hours
- Anti-social hours
- Cleaning
- Working alone
What employees say
Pay
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Good
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Most people are paid a living wage
Do Home Instead pay caregivers enough to live on?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
88% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.00 per hour, and £13.15 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
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Most people are paid market rates
Do Home Instead pay caregivers market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
85% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 53 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Good
-
Everyone is paid the same, whatever their age
Do caregivers at Home Instead get paid the same regardless of age?
Yes, people under the age of 21 get paid the same as those above 21.
See what Home Instead pays different age groupsHow we know this
The average pay of under 21s is the same as those above 21.Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and November 2024.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get paid breaks
Do caregivers at Home Instead get paid breaks?
No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.
How we know this
95% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get sick pay
Do Home Instead pay caregivers sick pay?
No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.
How we know this
100% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Needs improving
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Most people do unpaid extra work
Do caregivers at Home Instead do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Yes. Lots of people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
81% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 53 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
-
Needs improving
-
Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do caregivers get of their shift pattern at Home Instead?
Most people don’t get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 80% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 16% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 2% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 2% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Okay
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Some people worry about their hours
Do caregivers at Home Instead worry about hours?
Some people worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
56% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 52 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do caregivers at Home Instead get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
34% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 50 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for caregivers at Home Instead to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
63% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for caregivers to book a holiday at Home Instead?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
69% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 45 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Needs improving
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Shifts get changed at short notice
Do Home Instead managers change caregivers shifts at short notice?
Most managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
76% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
-
Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for caregivers to take sick leave at Home Instead?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
55% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 47 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Needs improving
-
People work a lot more hours than their contract
Do caregivers work the same number they are contracted for at Home Instead?
Most people work a lot more hours than their contact..
How we know this
80% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 45 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you should expect to work about the same number of hours that your contract guarantees you, most of the time.
It’s useful to pick up or drop a few shifts here and there, but if you often work a lot more hours every week than you’re contracted for, a good job should guarantee them.
This means you’re more likely to know when you’ll be working and how much you’ll earn in advance.
Good
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Most parents say it’s good
Is working as caregivers at Home Instead good if you have caring responsibilities?
Most parents and carers say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
81% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work.Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do caregivers at Home Instead feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
76% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get proper breaks
Do caregivers at Home Instead get proper breaks?
Most people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
69% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 39 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and October 2024.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for caregivers to work at Home Instead?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
69% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 48 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do caregivers at Home Instead enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
86% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 42 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do caregivers at Home Instead recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
55% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 53 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Good
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Most people get enough training
Do caregivers get enough training when they start at Home Instead?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
82% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are caregivers given support to progress at Home Instead?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 58% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 38 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do caregivers think Home Instead head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
73% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do caregivers feel well informed about how Home Instead is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
69% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 45 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Home Instead employees say about their job
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Best thing
Met new people's, helping to improve the life of the ones in need
Worst thing
Not have enaf hours ,the rules e pay rates not clear ,everyone is diferent,
Home Instead Senior carer, December 2023
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Best thing
You can basically choose the hours and days that you want to work.
Worst thing
The pay is low
Home Instead Employee, May 2023
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About this pay
CloseEstimated pay
This pay estimate is based on data from 53 Home Instead employees who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2023 and November 2024.
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