As demand for Home Instead's tailor-made, '5* outstanding'-rated service grows within our local communities, so does the need to find the very best CAREGivers to join our team.

Indeed, over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, the home care sector was one of very few which flourished and offered real job security, and this continues to be the case as we look to the future of 2021 and beyond.

Applying for the role of a CAREGiver may be a little daunting to some, especially if the candidate doesn't have previous experience of care. However, with our thorough and ongoing training and support systems in place, a lack of knowledge need not be an obstacle. Kindness is key, and if this is present in an individual, along with a desire for flexible working, we can very often provide the perfect position. Just take a look at our 'CAREGiver Catch Up' bios on the News & Events section of our website, for some real-life success stories.

How to find out more about the CAREgiver role

Most recently, we opened up the virtual doors to our company by hosting an online 'You Can Care Q&A' session. Here, our lovely Recruitment Coordinator, Tracy, was on hand to provide an insight into this rewarding and flexible role, and to answer any and all queries with regard to the application process and the many contract types that are available.

Keep a look out on our website and follow our Facebook page, as the event will most definitely be repeated in the very near future. We also have plans in place to offer a face-to-face Q&A event, providing the chance to meet our Recruitment and Training Team members, in person.

We also held our successful in person 'Home Care Fair' event, at the recently re-branded Seachange Centre (formerly Budleigh Hub) in late June, inviting prospective employees and clients alike to attend and to have all of their home care questions answered… And they did! We had a great afternoon chatting to our visitors and enjoying the delicious tea and cake which we provided to attendees, supplied by the lovely team from on-site café, Launchpad.

The advantages of a career in care

Further to this, we have been delighted to launch our 'Dream It, Live It' campaign, which aims to highlight the many advantages of a career in care; suiting lifestyles and commitments for a range of potential CAREGivers. With a variety of contracts on offer, the bonus of paid travel and mileage time and the flexibility of working the number of hours that the CAREGiver chooses, in their local community, there really is a CAREGiver role for everyone. This is true regardless of family circumstance, age or previous experience.

Our CAREGiver team members are a varied bunch, with a huge skillset, from a variety of career and life backgrounds… and that's what makes them so wonderfully unique!

Don't let the 'personal care' aspect put you off

There is more, too… we were very recently able to answer yet more questions about care, via another set of Q&A sessions, this time face-to-face and focused on the often-misunderstood topic of personal care, via our 'Myth Busting Personal Care' event. This is a subject which often sparks a little uncertainty in applicants, who might feel daunted about the physical help that they may need to provide to an individual.

It is so important to remember that at Home Instead, our goal is always to do tasks 'with' a client, rather than 'for' them. As opposed to many other home care providers, our one-hour minimum visit time allows for this person-centred approach. Very often, encouragement with regard to personal care tasks such as dressing, brushing hair or washing is all that is involved. If more support is needed, full and ongoing training is given. Plus, a Training Support team member will always oversee a series of visits until the CAREGiver and client feel comfortable and confident, because at Home Instead, care is relationship-led.

We completely understand these initial concerns, and it is always great to hear how after just a few weeks feedback shows that our new CAREGivers wonder why on earth they were worried. Personal care is just a part of the role of CAREGiver, and in comparison, to the role of companion, it really is a very small one.

So, if you or a friend are intrigued, and would like to find out how the role of CAREGiver could be perfect for you, don't hesitate to get in touch. We have lovely clients in local communities that are waiting for our 5* Outstanding care, and as the proud recipients of a 5* Employer Award from WorkBuzz for the past three years, and finalists in the Employer of the Year Awards, hosted by Exmouth Chamber of Commerce, we would be a great choice for your next career step.

For further information, visit our Facebook page for updates, or call our Recruitment Coordinator, Tracy, for a chat on 01395 200600 and discover why we are different.