FAQs

No. When you register on this website just make a note that you are new to care, then we will get in touch to discuss next steps and training opportunities with you. We are partnered with various local and online training providers who provide a whole range of training in the care sector. Alternatively, please feel free to contact us directly to discuss: care@bs3community.org.uk 0117 923 1039.

No, but as part of the vetting process you will be required to register with HMRC as self-employed. See our resources page (once you’ve registered) for more information about how to become self-employed and what your responsibilities are as a self-employed professional.

It depends on what visa you have. There are some exceptional circumstances that will make it possible to work as self-employed whilst on a visa, but we would encourage you to contact HMRC to get specific advice. See our resources page (once you have registered) for some useful information and links to HMRC.

Yes. The beauty of this kind of self-employed work is that you can continue working in other jobs or fulfilling other commitments whilst fitting in care work to suit you and your lifestyle/ studies/ work or other circumstances. You will be asked to include your availability when you complete your online profile, but that could be from just a couple hours per week, to lots of hours per week, or perhaps on an adhoc or case-by-case basis. It’s up to you!

All care providers need to start by registering an account on this website. Once you have completed the online registration form, we will review and contact you to arrange the next steps in the vetting process.

If you have problems registering online, please contact us for support care@bs3community.org.uk

Once this process has been completed, care seekers are invited to meet their potential care providers in person, so that both parties can assess and decide if they are a good match.

Once you have registered on the website, we will contact you to arrange the following:

• Face to face interview
• Verification of identity
• Verification of relevant training and qualifications
• Enhanced DBS check and subscription to the DBS update service
• Two character, educational or professional references
• `Proof of right to work in the UK
• Proof of driving licence and business insurance (if applicable)
• Proof of public liability insurance
• Adult safeguarding training
• Signed Terms and Conditions for Care Providers

No, this is not a mandatory requirement. Just make sure you include on your profile whether you have access to a car or not, as some care seekers (clients) may be looking for someone to take them out in a car, e.g. to appointments or to access the community.

Yes, you can choose to either accept or decline a care seeker’s request to connect with you. If you accept the initial connection and request for an introduction, then we will facilitate and attend this meeting (in person at the client’s address). This is an opportunity for the care provider and the client to meet and decide whether they want to work together. If after the introduction you decide you are not able to meet their care needs, then you do not need to go ahead with setting up a care agreement with them. You just need to inform the client and us at BS3 Community Care so we can assist them with a new carer introduction.

• BS3 Community Care is for self-employed care providers. This means we don’t employ you directly and therefore don’t have control over the hours you work, the clients you support or the amount you charge – giving you much more autonomy and flexibility over your work.
• Care agencies have higher overheads and management costs meaning a high proportion of what clients pay for their care goes to the care agency, before you get paid (often at minimum or low wages). At BS3 Community Care we don’t have the same level of costs and therefore the majority of what a client pays, goes directly to their care provider.
• Once we have introduced you to your client, we don’t monitor your work or get involved in ongoing support planning. This leaves you to get on with providing your personalised service under your own care agreement with your client/s.

• We are not just an Introductory Agency, we are a Community Business. This means we are not-for-profit and all the income made through this service will go directly back into our local community. We are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of residents in BS3, and unlocking new, better paid job opportunities for local people.
• A lot of other Introductory Agencies are UK wide and often ‘online only’ which neglects the ‘personal touch’. Here, you will have a named manager who you can contact with any questions or issues. Or you can come to see us onsite at the Southville Centre in South Bristol.
• We facilitate and attend in-person introductions with you and your new clients, which other Introductory Agencies don’t do.
• We provide support around self-employment and business skills.
• We have partnered with a range of education and training providers who we can signpost you to for health, care and other CPD training opportunities. We can also help you access government funding and employment support funds if you want to gain a health and social care qualification.

• No. The CQC does not require Introductory Agencies or individual care providers to register.
• Neither BS3 Community Care nor the independent care workers will be registered with the CQC, because all choice and control lies with the people receiving care.
• However, our recruitment and vetting processes, plus the training opportunities made available through our service are based on the relevant CQC standards.

We prepare and send invoices to your clients on your behalf. You will need to log all your client visits in your account and then invoices will be automatically created based on the frequency you select in your account (either fortnightly or monthly).

When we receive payment from your client/s we will forward the payment on to you by bank transfer.

A care worker or personal assistant role is varied, with no two days the same. But the kinds of activities you may support someone with could include things like:

• Companionship
• Domestic help like cleaning and laundry
• Shopping and errands
• Transport and trips out
• Exercise rehab support
• Meal preparation
• Medication collection and reminders
• Dog walking and pet care
• Post-hospital support
• Support with admin and personal affairs
• Booking and accompanying to appointments
• Garden maintenance and basic DIY

If you have the relevant qualifications, you can also advertise and provide personal care (e.g. washing, dressing, administering medication). Please see our resources page (once you've registered) or get in touch for further information on obtaining skills and qualifications in personal care, including the Care Certificate.

It's important to note that as a self-employed care professional you decide what care and support services you provide, as well as your availability, working hours, hourly rates, and the clients whose care needs you feel you can meet.

We are excited to work with anyone in Bristol and the surrounding areas, who share our values and attitudes towards supporting the local community. These include:

Values

• Inspiring
• Empowering
• Trust
• Positivity
• Integrity
• Compassion

Attitudes

• Professional
• Caring
• Personable
• Entrepreneurial
• Organised
• Enthusiastic
• Independent
• Committed to safeguarding vulnerable people