Self-Employed Carer Jobs in Durham
We’re looking for carers to join Sparrow Self-Employed Carers providing independent care directly to clients in Durham and surrounding areas.
You will choose the clients you work with at the times that work for you. You’ll also set your own rates (typically earning £22-26 per hour), and since we never charge carers you’ll keep 100% of what you earn.
We support you with getting started, with the ongoing admin, and with finding new clients too. This leaves you free to focus on providing the very best care you can.
A historic city with good transport links, including the East Coast Main Line and a compact centre, Durham is a practical base for self-employed carers. There’s a large and growing older population across the city and surrounding areas like Framwellgate Moor, Nevilles Cross, and Gilesgate. If you’re considering a move into self-employed care work, whether you’re coming from an agency role or starting fresh, Durham and the surrounding area offer plenty of opportunity.
The Role
As a self-employed carer with Sparrow, you’ll provide care and support to clients in their own homes across Durham and the surrounding area.
The type of care varies depending on each client’s needs and may include:
- Personal care (washing, dressing, medication support)
- Dementia care
- Companionship and social support
- Respite care for family carers
- Household help
- Overnight care
- Enabling care
You decide which clients suit your skills and experience, and work directly with them to arrange your schedule.
What you’ll need
To work with Sparrow, you’ll need:
• The right personal qualities – we look for compassion, competence and communication
• A genuine commitment to providing excellent care and building good relationships with clients, fellow Sparrow carers, and with Tom and Anna
• The ability to run your own business (with our support)
• Availability to provide a minimum of 10 hours of care per week (ideally 20 hrs+)
• Ability to get to your clients – most people will need a full UK driving licence and access to a car (or alternative arrangements)
• Right to work in the UK as a self-employed person
• Professional references we can contact who can tell us about your suitability for care work
Ideally we prefer to see some care experience – either professionally or in a personal setting – but finding the right person will always be more important than experience for us.
Self Employed vs Agency Care
Both models have their place, and the right choice depends on what you’re looking for.
Working self-employed with Sparrow:
You're your own boss, working directly for your clients
You choose which clients you work with and set your own schedule
More responsibility - you care directly for clients and are responsible for their care
Set your own rates (typically £22-26/hr) and keep 100% of what you charge
You build direct, lasting relationships with the families you support
Help with finding clients, insurance, contracts, admin - but you're in control
No guarantees on the number of hours, particularly when getting started
Working for a care agency:
You're an employee, often with guaranteed hours
Statutory holiday pay as standard for employment
The agency assigns you to clients and manages your rota
Potential support from colleagues, managers and other staff
Typically paid minimum wage or slightly above (typically £12.71 - £14/hour)
You can gain experience, training and build skills without the responsibility
What you could earn
As a self-employed carer with Sparrow, you set your own rates. Most of our carers charge between £22 and £26 per hour, and keep 100% of what they charge.
For example, a carer working 25 hours a week at £24/hr would earn around £600 per week — roughly £31,200 a year. A carer doing similar hours with a typical care agency at £13/hr would earn around £325 per week, or £16,900 a year.
Bear in mind that as a self-employed carer you won’t receive paid holiday or statutory sick pay, so it’s worth factoring that in when comparing. That said, we can help you claim allowable expenses like mileage, phone costs, and insurance — which reduce your tax bill. For many of our carers, the step up in earnings has been life-changing — giving them a level of financial freedom that simply wasn’t possible working for an agency.
What our carers say
Testimonial from Sparrow Carer Wendy
"It's worth your while. You get to build proper relationships with your clients instead of rushing from one visit to the next. The money's good, and you're in control of your own work."
Testimonial from Sparrow Carer Sam
"If you're even vaguely considering a caring profession where you want the ability to provide a truly helpful service, not on a rush in/rush out basis, and you get paid well for your dedication — then join Sparrow!"
Areas we cover
Our carers support clients across Durham and the surrounding areas, including:
If you’re based slightly outside these areas but willing to travel, please still get in touch – we’re always looking to expand our network of carers.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Is this the same as a care worker or care assistant job?
The care itself is very similar. You’ll be supporting people with personal care, companionship, household tasks and more, just as you would in a care agency role. The difference is that you’re self-employed. You work directly with your clients rather than being sent to them by an agency, you set your own rates, and you keep everything you earn. If you’ve worked as a care worker, care assistant, or domiciliary carer before, your experience will transfer directly.
Am I really self-employed?
What about tax and National Insurance?
As a self-employed person, you’re responsible for your own tax and NI through self-assessment. We can signpost you to affordable accountants who specialise in working with self-employed carers and if you work over 10 hours per week with us we’ll even pay the fee for your tax return.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, but we help you arrange and then reimburse the cost of appropriate self-employed carer insurance, so with Sparrow there’s no cost to you.
Do I need a DBS check?
Yes, you’ll need an Enhanced DBS check with Adult Barred List check. If you don’t have one or yours needs updating, we can help you to arrange it and we’ll usually pay for it too. Please bear in mind that this can take 6 weeks or more.
Can Sparrow guarantee I'll find enough clients?
Unfortunately, no. We do everything we can to help you find clients through direct client introductions and marketing support, but it takes time and effort. Finding clients is a shared effort between you and us. Being self-employed means taking on certain risks and responsibilities and it’s important that you’re aware of that and that it’s right for you.
What if a client doesn't suit me?
You’re not obliged to work with any client. We help you to find clients and give you the option to work with people who may be suitable for you, but you’re in control. If an introduction doesn’t feel right, you can always decline. If you start working with someone and it’s not working out, you can also end the arrangement with appropriate notice.
What support do you provide?
We support you every step of the way, from getting all the essential things in place to start caring, to setting up your systems and helping with invoicing, and more. We also support you to find clients, and to get your own marketing up to speed. We’re always available for advice and support, and you’ll be part of our network of Sparrow carers. You’re independent but you’re never alone.
Are there opportunities for carers in Durham?
There are. As more people choose to stay at home rather than move into residential care, the need for reliable home care is growing across Durham and neighbouring areas like Framwellgate Moor, Pity Me, Nevilles Cross. Self-employed carers who can build lasting relationships with clients are particularly valued.
How to apply
Fill in our short form and we’ll be in touch to tell you more about how it all works and to answer any questions you have. We’ll start with an informal chat to get to know each other, then take care of references, DBS checks, and everything else you need to get started. Most carers are fully set up and meeting clients within 4-6 weeks or less.