What Is Agency Care Work?
Agency care work can be very useful if you are looking for a fulfilling role without fixed hours. Agency work means you don’t have a named contract – in effect, you may be on a zero-hours contract or, with some companies, considered a temporary worker. At Helping Hands, however, we will always work with you to find the right fit for your needs. Our friendly branch team in your area will be happy to discuss your employment options with you and ensure you have the support you require to work satisfactorily around your commitments.
What Are the Benefits of Agency Care Work?
Flexible care work without fixed hours each week may give you the income you need while fitting around the way you live. You might have childcare commitments, parents to take care of, or be studying, but whatever your circumstances, flexible shift work may suit your lifestyle.
Agency care work can be full-time, part-time, evenings, weekends, or a combination. For instance, you may usually only be available in the mornings but want to make the most of having an occasional week when you can work more hours. In those circumstances, agency-style shift patterns may suit you perfectly because you can work more when you’re able to and reduce your hours when your life becomes busier. Benefits include:
Increasing your working hours when your commitments lessen
For instance, because your parent is in respite care, you’re on academic holidays, or because your kids are visiting relatives
Decreasing your hours in an emergency
If your child is ill, your family member’s carer is unavailable, or you book a last-minute getaway
Accruing holidays for the hours you work
At Helping Hands, you’ll accrue paid holiday for your work shifts
A second job that fits around your first
You decide what shifts you do or how many weeks a year you work
What Qualifications Does a Care Worker Need?
The most important quality for our carers to possess is compassion and a genuine desire to help our customers live as well as possible in their own homes. We’ll also expect you to be kind, patient, and a good communicator, as some of our customers may communicate in non-traditional ways. We don’t require formal qualifications from our applicants; however, we will always support you to develop your skills once you’re working with us and offer you opportunities to gain qualifications if possible.
How Do I Apply?
Applying to Helping Hands is easy, but before doing so, we recommend you read as much as possible about us on our website and make sure we offer the kind of opportunities you would be interested in applying for. You can follow the link from our care jobs page to find a suitable role or pop into your local Helping Hands branch and chat with the team to discover what they’re looking for.
Interested in Agency Care Work?
We have over 160 local care branches across England and Wales, so we have opportunities local to you. Please contact us if you think you could be an addition to our amazing visiting and live-in carers or apply today. Our services are fully regulated by the CQC and CIW, which will reassure you that you’ll be joining a company that is focused on the quality of our delivered service.