Finding Your Carer: Three Simple Options
There are three ways to find care with Sparrow:
Option 1: Search for carers online Visit our website and enter your postcode to see profiles of available carers in your area. Browse their experience, availability, and rates. When you find someone who looks right, you can enquire about their availability directly through their profile.
Option 2: Submit a care enquiry Fill in our online care enquiry form with details about the care you need. We’ll check with our local carers and get back to you within 24 hours (weekdays) with a shortlist of available carers who match your needs.
Option 3: Call us Sometimes it’s easier to just talk things through. Call Anna or Tom on 01434 444 888 and we’ll discuss your needs, answer your questions, and help you find the right carer. We’re here Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
What Happens Next
Once we know what care you’re looking for, here’s what happens:
We create your shortlist Based on your location and care needs, we’ll provide you with a shortlist of suitable carers including a link to their individual carer profile, their current availability and an indication of the rates they typically charge.
You meet potential carers This is the most important step. You can phone and arrange to meet any carers from your shortlist. Take your time, ask all your questions, and only move forward when you’ve found someone who feels right.
There’s no pressure and no commitment at this stage. Meeting carers is completely free, and you’re welcome to meet more than one person before deciding.
You choose your carer When you’ve found the right carer, you agree together on the care you need – what help you’d like, when you need it and you can go over the arrangements, charges and discuss the details. Your carer may also provide you with a care agreement that sets out what you’ve agreed and outlines notice periods and other arrangements.
Care begins Your carer visits at the agreed times and provides the care you’ve arranged together. The same person visits each time, so you can build an ongoing relationship with the carer or carers you specifically chose. You can always contact Sparrow for support, but we don’t manage the care itself.
Understanding the Direct Relationship
When you work with a Sparrow carer, they work directly for you – not for Sparrow, and not for an agency. This means:
- You’re in control – You and your carer agree on the care, the schedule, and how things work
- Consistency – The same carer visits each time, not different people on a rota
- Flexibility – If your needs change, you work it out directly with your carer
- Personal connection – Time to build a genuine relationship, not rushed 15-minute visits
Your carer is self-employed and runs their own care business. They’re directly responsible for the care they provide to you. Sparrow’s role is to introduce you to each other and provide support in the background.
Costs and How Billing Works
Our carers set their own rates. Most charge between £20-25 per hour for daytime care, with some charging more for evenings, weekends, or specialist care.
In addition to your carer’s rate, you pay Sparrow a 10% service fee. For example, if your carer charges £22 per hour, you pay:
- £22 to your carer
- £2.20 to Sparrow
- Total: £24.20 per hour
If travel is required, you may also need to cover mileage (typically 45p per mile) and travel time, which varies by carer.
Invoicing and payment Your carer will invoice you directly for their care, typically monthly. You pay them by bank transfer, though you can arrange other payment methods with them if you prefer.
Sparrow sends you a separate invoice for our 10% fee. We recommend setting up a direct debit which automatically adjusts each month based on the care you’ve received – it means you only need to remember to pay your carer.
Support After Care Starts
Just because your carer works independently doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Sparrow continues to support both you and your carer after care begins.
For you:
- We’re here if you have questions or concerns
- If your carer is sick or on holiday, we’ll help you find cover from our network
- If your care needs change, we can help you find additional carers
- We provide advice and signposting when you need it
For your carer:
- Ongoing training and development
- Admin and invoicing support
- A community of other Sparrow carers to share advice and cover
- Accountancy support for tax returns
We stay in the background, but we’re always here when you need us.
What If Things Don’t Work Out?
We carefully vet every carer we work with, but sometimes a caring relationship just isn’t the right fit. If that happens, we’re always happy to help you find another carer who might suit you better.
There are no long-term commitments or cancellation fees with Sparrow. Your carer may have a notice period in their care agreement (typically 1-4 weeks), which protects both of you if either needs to make changes.
Common Questions
Do I need to employ my carer? Your carer is self-employed, so you’re not their employer. You have a direct service agreement with them, but without the responsibilities of being an employer.
What if I need two carers for some visits? Some of our carers work together to provide two-person care when needed. Let us know this is a requirement when you enquire and we’ll match you with carers who can provide this.
Can I use Direct Payments or CHC funding? Yes. Many of our clients use Direct Payments, Continuing Healthcare funding, or other local authority funding to pay for their care. The direct relationship with a self-employed carer works well with most funding arrangements.
Are Sparrow carers insured and DBS checked? Yes. All our carers have Enhanced DBS checks with Adult Barred List checks and appropriate self-employed carer insurance. You can request to see these certificates at any time.
What areas do you cover? Our carers work throughout Northumberland, Tyneside, and North Eastern Cumbria, including rural areas. Coverage varies by individual carer, so let us know your location when you enquire.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’d like to find care with Sparrow, you can:
- Browse carer profiles on our website and search by postcode
- Submit a care enquiry online and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours
- Call us on 01434 444 888 to discuss your needs (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
We’re here to help you find the right care, and we’re always happy to answer questions – even if you’re just exploring your options.