HomeCareDirect is looking for personal assistants to join their team in Chester.

The caring service is on the hunt for dedicated individuals that want to care for individuals and families that have personal health needs. 

There are positions available across Brighton and Hove, Stoke, Leicestershire, Blackburn and more with various hours and pay rates on offer. 

Here's everything you need to know about HomeCareDirect and how you can join the team. 

Chester and District Standard: Two people holding hands. Credit: CanvaTwo people holding hands. Credit: Canva

Who is HomeCareDirect?

Established in 2003, HomeCareDirect is a national care service that is determined to support those that live with a health condition or disability so that they can live at home within their local community.

The care service aims to give those with personal health budgets, direct payments or their own funding the chance to control the support they need. 

A Direct Payment or a Personal Health Budget is when you have been given money to pay for your own care, the service says.

The service gives individuals and families the chance to choose, employ and organise their own personal assistants that will cater to their needs.

On their website, HomeCareDirect says that "when choosing a personal assistant it’s not only important to find someone with the right skills, but also someone with the right personality and outlook."

Under the initiative, those receiving care will always know who is coming to their home and when, whilst giving the flexibility to fit their personal assistants around their lifestyle.

What services does HomeCareDirect offer?

HomeCareDirect provides the following services:

  • It acts as the legal employer for service users so they don’t have to worry about a support worker or carer making a claim
  • It helps service users choose support workers and train them to meet their needs
  • It operates a telephone support service for both care users and support workers as well as emergency out of hours contacts
  • It facilitates meetings between service users and support workers to talk about their work
  • It ensures that care meets the standards set out by the Care Quality Commission

See the full range of services offered via the HomeCareDirect website.

Chester and District Standard: People holding hands outside. Credit: CanvaPeople holding hands outside. Credit: Canva

Does HomeCareDirect provide training?

HomeCareDirect personal assistants can be friends, neighbours, family, or people found through advertising and interview.

The care service arranges ongoing training for personal assistants whether they are qualified care professionals or have no previous care experience.

It recognises that people are the experts in their situation which is why service users are involved in every step of the training process.

Not to mention, where possible, ongoing training will take place in your home and service users are encouraged to contribute directly to how your personal assistants are trained.

PAs will only be trained in areas that are specific to your requirements to raise the standard and quality of training while keeping costs to a minimum.

HomeCareDirect community Nurses provide a wide range of training for personal assistants, from theory-based learning to practical hands-on techniques.

When new personal assistants start, they receive induction training before starting on an individualised training programme which is designed specifically around what is best for the service user.

All personal assistants will also go through the Care Certificate as well.

See all of the current personal assistant positions and apply for a role via the HomeCareDirect website.