When you’re thinking of bringing someone into your home to assist with domestic care or personal support, choosing the right person can make all the difference. The demand for professional home care staff is growing – so if you’re ready to take this step, here’s a simple guide to help you through the process.

1) Clarify Your Needs

Start by identifying exactly what you need. Do you require someone for general household assistance, personal care (e.g., bathing, dressing), mobility support, or dealing with a specific health condition? Write down the tasks, hours and any specialist skills required so you know what to look for.

2) Explore Your Options

Look into local agencies or independent care workers in your area. Ask friends, family or healthcare professionals for recommendations. Online directories can also help you find reputable individuals or agencies. Make sure anyone you consider is registered with relevant regulatory bodies and follows best practice standards.

3) Set Your Budget

Establish how much you’re willing to spend. Consider the carer’s fees, tax and National Insurance obligations, requirements such as carer employer’s insurance, and any extra costs that may be involved like transport or specialist equipment. Look into whether you have any funding options available to you.  These might include personal savings, government assistance programs or long-term care insurance. Don’t forget that Stafftax can help with the ongoing management of your payroll once you’ve confirmed your salary agreement with your new employee.

4) Shortlist and Interview Candidates

Once you’ve found potential candidates, arrange interviews. You should prepare questions about their experience, qualifications, availability and approach to working in a domestic environment. Assess how well they will mesh with your household, the person they’ll support, and whether they’re comfortable with the tasks and hours.  Ensure that they will be able to provide support for any medical conditions and are comfortable with other specific tasks that may be involved, depending on individual need.

5) Carry Out Checks and References

Ask for references from previous employers or clients, and contact them for honest feedback on reliability and performance. You should also perform a background check, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, to ensure the carer has no criminal record. 

6) Understand the Legal Side

Once you are happy to proceed your next step will be to work out the practicalities of payroll and HR in order for your carer to officially start work. 

If you’re employing someone directly, familiarise yourself with your responsibilities: contracts, wages, holiday pay, insurance and tax/NI.  This is where a service like Stafftax can come in – taking away the hassle and complexity of these key employer responsibilities. We automatically provide a bespoke recruitment contract tailored to your requirements by our HR advisors, and offer unlimited HR support throughout your subscription to support you through issues such as sick pay or maternity leave.  We can take care of your HMRC responsibilities for you, sort payslips and process P60s. 

If going through an agency, check what the agency covers. In either instance, we would recommend consulting with a legal professional to help you understand your responsibilities. 

7) Consider a Trial Period

When you’ve selected a candidate, it’s often helpful to agree to a short trial period. This gives everyone a chance to see how the arrangement works in practice. Monitor how the person fits with the household, how they engage with the person being supported, and whether the practicalities (hours, tasks) are working. Be open to discussing any concerns or adjustments you might want to make.

8) Maintain Ongoing Communication and Supervision

Once the staff member is in place, establish clear and regular communication. Review the arrangement periodically: what’s working, what might need adjusting, and ensure you have a clear system for raising concerns or addressing changes in care needs. You may choose to set up performance review sessions. 

9) Tap Into Support Networks

It’s helpful to connect with local support groups and with organisations that provide advice and respite options. These networks can offer valuable guidance and reassurance from people who are in similar situations.

Bringing a domestic staff member such as a carer into your home is a big step – but by being clear about your needs, choosing carefully, and establishing good foundations from the start, you can find a dependable and compassionate person who will make a meaningful difference. Remember: legal and financial planning matter just as much as finding the right personality and fit.