A carer cannot perform any regulated activity as deemed by the CQC, such as dressing wounds, performing injections or administering medication without consent. In addition, serious house maintenance such as deep cleaning, window cleaning, or heavy lifting.
Private Carers – The Definitive Guide (Updated for 2024)
What Is a Regulated Activity?
A regulated activity is defined by the CQC and draws the line for when an individual or organisation needs to register with them.
They currently don’t define personal care provided directly to an individual or via an introductory agency to fall under the wing of regulated activity. However, if that personal care crosses the line into nursing care, it would be regulated.
Nursing care includes:
- Dressing Wounds
- Performing injections
- Setting up Drips
What Else Shouldn’t a Carer Do?
While not technically illegal, the following behaviours should also never be done by a carer.
Be Intoxicated on the Job
For obvious reasons, a carer should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on the job. It could endanger the patient or void their insurance should anything go wrong while they are on the job.
Not Attend Booked Visits
A carer has a duty of care to their patients and, as such, should always endeavour to attend visits they have agreed to. If they cannot, for any reason, they should provide as much notice as possible to the patient so that they can find suitable alternative care. Failure to do so could endanger the patient or leave the carer liable for any injury that occurs.
Carers that fail to show up to a visit without notifying the client (except exceptional circ*mstances) are automatically removed from the PrimeCarers platform, as this is unacceptable behaviour.
Break Patient Confidentiality
When working with a patient, even if paid by another family member, a carer should always maintain a reasonable level of patient confidentiality. For example if a patient is suffering from incontinence and does not wish their family to know, then the carer should respect their wishes.
Beyond family members, you should not be sharing any details about patients with anyone outside of your work-related duties.
Don’t Use Their Phone on the Job
When you are being paid to care for someone, the job doesn’t end once you’ve performed the primary care duties you’ve been asked to do. Companionship, interacting with your patient, sharing a cup of tea or playing a board game together are all valuable activities that you can provide for your client.
If you are on a live-in job or long night shift, it may be reasonable to check in on your phone for portions of the day, but this should aim to be time-boxed and kept to a minimum to avoid disrupting your routine.
Conclusion
This article is part of an ongoing series on Private Care, but if you’d like to learn more about becoming a private carer then check out our full article on becoming a self-employed carer.
I founded and manage PrimeCarers, a Platform that connects Private Clients with Private Carers near them.
