Carer Registration & Vetting Policy

1. Purpose

Live In Care Partners operates an introductory service connecting individuals and families with independent live-in carers.

This policy explains the checks and information considered before a carer is accepted for introduction to potential clients.

Our vetting process is designed to establish whether a carer is suitable to be considered for introductions. Registration and completion of vetting checks do not guarantee an introduction or placement.

2. Registration

Carers must provide accurate and complete information during registration and must provide supporting evidence where requested. Information provided during registration may include:

• identity and address details
• right-to-work information
• DBS information
• care experience
• qualifications and training
• professional references
• relevant skills and experience
• availability and preferences
• information relevant to safeguarding and suitability.

Providing false, misleading or incomplete information may result in registration being declined or future introductions being withdrawn.

3. Identity and Right to Work

Identity will be checked using appropriate documentation.

Carers must have the appropriate right to work in the UK for the work they undertake.

Live In Care Partners does not provide visa sponsorship.

Where relevant, evidence of right to work will be checked and recorded in accordance with applicable requirements.

4. Enhanced DBS and Adults' Barred List Checks

Where a carer will undertake regulated activity with adults, including eligible personal care activities, Live In Care Partners requires the appropriate Enhanced DBS check with an Adults' Barred List check before the carer is introduced for that type of work.

DBS eligibility is determined by the duties the carer will undertake and the applicable statutory criteria. It is not determined simply by whether the carer is employed or self-employed.

Self-employed carers are able to apply for their own Enhanced or Enhanced with Barred List DBS check through a DBS Umbrella Body where the role is eligible.

Where a DBS check is required for the proposed introduction, Live In Care Partners will:

• establish the appropriate level of DBS check for the duties involved
• require appropriate DBS evidence before making the relevant introduction
• check that the certificate relates to the appropriate workforce where applicable
• consider the certificate alongside references, qualifications, experience and other suitability information
• consider DBS Update Service information where applicable and where the necessary consent and eligibility requirements are met

A DBS certificate is one part of the suitability assessment and is not treated as a pass-or-fail assessment on its own.

5. References and Experience

Relevant professional references will normally be requested to help verify a carer's experience, reliability, conduct and suitability.

The information provided by referees will be considered alongside the other information obtained during vetting.

Previous live-in care experience will be considered where relevant to the type of introduction being requested.

6. Qualifications and Training

Carers may be asked to provide evidence of relevant qualifications and training appropriate to the work they intend to undertake. This may include, where relevant:

• health and social care qualifications
• safeguarding
• moving and handling
• medication support
• dementia care
• first aid
• basic life support
• infection prevention and control
• mental capacity and consent
• nutrition and hydration
• continence care
• pressure area care
• end-of-life or palliative care.

Live In Care Partners does not provide or manage the ongoing training, supervision or competency assessment of independent carers following an introduction.

7. Experience, Skills and Suitability

The carer's experience and skills will be considered against the type of introductions they wish to undertake. This may include consideration of:

• personal care experience
• dementia experience
• mobility and moving-and-handling experience
• medication-related experience
• end-of-life experience
• communication skills
• experience supporting people with complex needs
• ability to work appropriately within their own competence
• practical requirements of live-in care.

Vetting establishes whether a carer can be considered for introductions. It does not mean that the carer is automatically suitable for every client.

8. Interview and Suitability Discussion

An interview or suitability discussion may be undertaken to understand the carer's:

• experience
• skills
• communication
• expectations of live-in care
• availability
• preferences
• approach to dignity, choice and independence
• understanding of safeguarding
• professional boundaries
• suitability for the types of introductions requested.

9. Safeguarding and Previous Concerns

Information that may affect a carer's suitability must be considered appropriately. This may include information arising from:

• DBS checks
• references
• previous employment or care experience
• information provided by the carer
• safeguarding concerns
• relevant complaints or concerns
• other reliable information brought to our attention.

Where information raises a concern about suitability, Live In Care Partners may request further information, seek clarification, decline registration or decline a particular introduction.

Where information indicates an immediate safeguarding or criminal concern, the appropriate emergency or statutory authority will be contacted where necessary.

10. Matching Suitability

Acceptance onto the Live In Care Partners register does not mean that a carer is suitable for every client. For each proposed introduction, consideration may be given to:

• the client's requirements
• the carer's experience and skills
• the nature of the support requested
• communication needs
• lifestyle and household arrangements
• practical live-in requirements
• relevant preferences
• any information that could affect compatibility or safety.

Both the client/family and carer remain free to decide whether they wish to proceed with an introduction.

11. Changes in Circumstances

Carers must inform Live In Care Partners of relevant changes that could affect information previously provided. This may include changes relating to:

• right to work
• DBS status
• criminal or safeguarding matters
• qualifications or training
• relevant insurance
• availability
• circumstances affecting their ability to undertake a proposed introduction.

12. Vetting Outcome

Following the available checks and information, Live In Care Partners may:

• accept the carer for potential introductions
• request further information
• restrict the types of introductions considered
• decline registration
• decline a particular introduction

A decision to accept a carer for registration does not constitute an assurance that the carer is suitable for every client or every type of care arrangement.

13. Records and Confidentiality

Information obtained during registration and vetting will be handled securely and in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.

DBS information will only be handled and used for legitimate suitability purposes and in accordance with applicable DBS and data protection requirements.

14. After an Introduction

Once a client/family and carer agree to enter into their own care arrangement, responsibility for the day-to-day care relationship rests with them.

Live In Care Partners does not direct or control the personal care provided after an introduction.

This is consistent with CQC's distinction between an introductory agency and an agency that has an ongoing role in directing or controlling personal care. CQC identifies vetting carers before accepting them onto an agency's books as accreditation activity, while ongoing monitoring, directing care or managing replacement cover can constitute an ongoing role.

15. Review of Suitability

Information received after registration that raises a concern about a carer's suitability may be considered within the scope of Live In Care Partners' introductory role.

Where appropriate, the carer may be declined for future introductions.

This does not mean that Live In Care Partners supervises or manages the carer's ongoing work after an introduction.

16. Related Documents

This policy should be read alongside:

• Carer Registration & Vetting Form
• Carer Interview Record
• Carer Reference Check
• Carer Standards & Code of Conduct
• Carer Safeguarding & Reporting Procedure
• Carer Privacy Policy
• Carer Terms & Conditions
• Client Matching & Introduction Policy.