Care Assistant - Evenings & Weekends
Home Instead
£13.50-14.00 per hour
Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS1, United Kingdom
Part time
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 Southend on Sea has some lovely clients in the Southend area that are looking for additional support during evenings and weekends.
If you're looking for a profession where you can bring your caring personality to work and change lives, look no further.
Care Assistant Benefits:
- Competitive pay: £13.50 - £14.00 per hour and double on bank holidays
- Paid travel time + mileage is 45p per mile
- Holiday pay + Pension scheme
- Employee Assistance Program - available 24/7
- Refer a friend scheme - cash award
- Minimum of 1hr visits -so you have enough time with the client
- Award winning training - fully paid
- Exclusive discounts scheme - at supermarkets, utility providers + more
- Health Plan
- Workbuzz 5* Employer Award - 4th year running!
Job Description
We're looking for Care Assistants that are:
- Kind and compassionate.
- Have access to reliable transport to support taking clients into the community.
- Have good communication skills and be reliable.
The role is varied and no day is the same, for example duties may include:
- Companionship - brighten someone's day with a chat.
- Assist with maintaining personal hygiene
- Meal preparation - healthy meal choices
- Medication support
- Picking up prescriptions, shopping, home help
- Accompanying clients to appointments or social events.
Qualifications
You don't need qualifications to care! Our clients are looking for a friendly face and someone with a kind, compassionate nature who wants to help keep them safe and happy while living independently in their own homes.
This role is subject to DBS enhanced disclosure.
Additional Information
Be part of the Home Instead community and work with friendly like-minded people who share your values. Whether you already have experience in the care sector or are looking for a new career, we would love to hear from you!
Click apply today or call us at 01702 382348 to learn more.
Join our team and be the reason someone smiles today!
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
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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
83% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 66 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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 £13.45 per hour, and £14.80 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
90% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 70 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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 74 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between February 2024 and April 2026.
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 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and March 2026.
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
97% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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
82% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 76 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2024 and January 2026.
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
- 78% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 17% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 1% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 4% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 76 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2024 and January 2026.
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
59% of people report they worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 79 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2024 and January 2026.
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.
Good
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Most people get a choice of shifts
Do caregivers at Home Instead get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
72% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 76 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2024 and January 2026.
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
61% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 54 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2024 and January 2026.
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
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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
67% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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
80% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 75 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between January 2024 and January 2026.
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
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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
46% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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
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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
82% of people report working 8 hours or more than their contract.Based on data from 67 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and March 2026.
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.
Needs improving
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People regularly work above their contracted hours
Most people work more hours than their contract.
How we know this
88% of people work more hours than they are contracted to.Based on data from 72 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and March 2026.
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
79% of people who care for a child or other relative report this is a good place to work.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and March 2026.
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
77% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2026.
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
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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
77% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and March 2026.
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.
Okay
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Some people are stressed
Is it stressful for caregivers to work at Home Instead?
Some people feel stressed here.
How we know this
52% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 63 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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
87% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 62 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2026.
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
44% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 71 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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
80% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2025 and March 2026.
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, 49% 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 55 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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
68% 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 59 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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.
Okay
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Only some people feel well informed by head office
Do caregivers feel well informed about how Home Instead is doing?
Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
58% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
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
Being out and about helping people. Would want to stuck in an office.
Worst thing
Clients dying which sad but it also means your hours drop considerably.
Employee at Home Instead, June 2025
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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,
Senior carer at Home Instead, December 2023
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