Your assignment
You have had your induction and now you are waiting for a phone call offering you your first assignment.
Be ready
Remember that, while you are waiting for an offer, it is essential to have your mobile phone available during office hours, which means:
- The phone is near you so that you hear the call.
- The phone is switched on!
- The battery is fully charged.
- You have sufficient paid-up air time.
- The Agency may pass the assignment to another Carer if you do not respond to their call immediately. Also, have a pencil and paper handy for writing down the information you are given.
Acceptance procedure
The procedure for accepting an assignment will differ between Agencies, but the steps will be similar, particularly for self employed Carers.
Step 1. The Agency will phone you and give you an outline of the job that is available, including dates, the Client’s name, address and phone number, the name and phone number of the Client’s Representative (if one has been appointed) and information about the Client’s needs and preferences.
Step 2. You will then telephone the Client (or his/her Representative) at an appropriate time to discuss further details but, before you do, it is worthwhile finding out the cost of travel so that can be agreed in advance and also the times of trains or buses. See, “UK Life/Travel”. Clearly, this “set up” call is very important because it gives you the opportunity to:
- Confirm what the Agency has told you about the assignment, particularly your start and finishing dates.
Find out as much as possible about the Client’s needs and routine to satisfy yourself that the level of care you are offering is appropriate. - Discuss travel arrangements, including costs, your time of arrival and how to get to the Client’s house from the rail/bus station.
- Agree when you take your time off.
- Clarify who does the shopping. If the Client pays for your food, check that you may include your preferences which may differ from his/hers.
Step 3. Confirm to the Agency that you are willing to take the assignment. The Client (or his/her representative) should also have rung to say that he/she is happy to have you as their Carer.
Step 4. The Agency will send a confirmation of the assignment, either to the “base” address that you have given them, or to the Client’s address if you have already started the assignment. This is particularly important if you are self-employed because it is, in effect, confirmation of a contract between you and the Client. The letter is also important for tax purposes.