Daisy Chain Care Agency supports independent living
Introduction agency for wide range of support and care workers for the whole family. Isle of Wight, Hampshire, West Sussex and surrounding areas.
Call us on 01727807169
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We specialise in finding solutions
A quality introduction agency that is a little different.
We provide a single point for practical and legal welfare needs
We place for the whole multigenerational family or individuals for a wide range of care and support needs
We monitor for three months to ensure a secure placement.
We provide a facility for continued carer training to meet changing needs.
Care & support workers are found from a large range of skills & services on offer and tailor made to suit your needs.
We offer the additional unique CompanionCarePA part time or full time
We can combine services to include Life Care Planning to secure healthcare wishes legally and secure the affairs of the whole family through Tipi Wills & Mediation
A Bobby Patrol can make a weekly welfare check on you and your property and combined with CompanionCarePA visits ensure welfare and safety of loved ones
This site is under development May 2024
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DCCA Costs Structure
Living Your Best Life
Support when you need it
Upon researching the rates of private carers, we find the rates vary enormously depending on region, skills and experience. Research also revealed the internet seems to be somewhat out of touch with what is actually being charged currently by carers. The transparency of how agencies charge for their introduction and/or hourly services overall, is again decidedly fuzzy with all sorts of complicated charging structures being included with up to 50% extra being charged in certain circumstances. As with Tipi Wills & Mediation, we have therefore opted for a clear, straightforward and competitive pricing structure that is easy to understand, easy to find on our website and easy to plan and budget for with no hidden costs.
There are specialist financial advisors that will discuss with you various options to pay for longer term care fees and care planning and you may find there is support from the local authority too. Only regulated people may give you financial advice. As a starter, here is a link to a not for profit service you may wish to consult
https://www.payingforcare.org/care-fees-advice/
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Whilst we all have to manage budgets against need, we also all know reliability, dependability, skill, loyalty and quality come from valued, trained, appropriately paid workers. We then depend on them to help manage our lives and it stresses. We aim to provide a solid reliable service based on these values. We will monitor the placement with both the CarePA and Client for the 3 month probationary period to ensure all is well.
Rates and Options
A CarePA may charge their own rate or they may be happy to accept the remuneration you are offering. If needed, DCCA will work with the CarePA / Support Service and the client to agree the remuneration for the contract period. For transparency to both the client and the Care / Support worker, DCCA will charge a usual employment agency flat rate of a 17% introduction fee (many charge 18% to 20% so we aim to keep it reasonable).
We don’t believe that secretive extra charges are particularly helpful to you or our business. Practically, this means that where a lower rate might be charged, say for for a CompanionCarePA, it also means that a lower fee will be given. For example, if a CompanionCarePA charges £15 ph and you hire the CCPA for 50 weeks at one one hour visit per week, the overall remuneration would be £750 meaning just £127.50 introduction fee to DCCA at a rate of 17%. If it were two hours per week, then a simple calculation of £1500 for the year, with a17% is a £255 introduction fee. The work and services provided by the CCPA are agreed between the two of you. DCCA will continue to make ad hoc checks on the Carer and client to ensure all is going well through the term of the contract, or if indeed client needs have changed.
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A person may also consider registering with Age UK Befriending scheme to add that extra layer of contact and safety.
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Having transparent rates makes it easier for you to consider your options and budgets. For example, whether to hire someone at a set number of hours at an hourly rate, or whether it is more cost effective for your needs to have a live in service. You can compare that to the remuneration you may be able to offer to have someone live in with the convenience, support and care you may like to have.
The good thing about this service, is that subject to availability, you can combine services if desired for example a CompanionCarePA could visit once a week, or daily for mealtimes too, whilst a carer with special skills attend an evening or night time shift. The combination is your choice. We all like familiar faces and to get to know the people who support us so we are also aware that consistency is important. We aim to put a contract in place for 12 months. (Please discuss with us where you require alternatives to that for example end of life care).
Hourly Rates
A CarePA can be hired for a minimum period of two hours per week to ensure travel and administration costs are fairly accounted for and to allow the CarePA to have more than one client per day in a cost effective manner. This also allows the pricing structure and flat rate to remain straightforward and consistent.
A CarePA may have a lower rate per hour where a certain number of hours per week is hired dependent on their basic rate.
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The rate will be and a contract will be agreed and simply the flat fee of 17% will be payable.
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The hourly rate is entirely dependent on the CarePA registered with us. It can vary widely depending on the number of hours required, the level of care, experience and the region. In terms of what you the client can expect, on average here in the South, we are looking at an average of £30 to £40 ph with of course, those that will charge less or more creating the average and daily rates of £150 to £250 plus.
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CompanionCarePA's can be considerably less at around £15 per hour as their role is that of companion only which may include light tasks such as preparing a light lunch.
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In each case, the hours you require each week will be agreed and form an annual salary, from which the 17% agency fee will be payable.
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We do not recommend that cash is ever used between client and carer. Whilst we support the use of cash, elder client care safety is our priority and we would advise the use of direct debits / transfers for carer payment. Simlarly errands must be organised where cash does not change hands. The client bank details must be kept private and secure. Online shopping may be set up for example and the same card details will be saved allowing the care to be used over and again. These areas can be difficult to navigate, but we recommend great care to avoid trouble.
Typical Rates
A private Care Worker can charge daily rates that range from £150 to £250 per day, depending on the level of care, skill required and time of day, with of course those that charge less or more creating that average.
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Additionally, costs shown here are per person. Where a carer is required to help a couple, usually the combined charge will be discounted. If you require, DCCA will help you assess your needs and the combination of care that is best suited to you.
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Per Person Rates & Couples
All rates quoted are per single person. In some cases, couples may need a CarePA to assist them. Couples would often prefer to stay living together, but it is too much for a partner to continue to be the carer, and may indeed themselves need support and care creating a household management solution as well as care support.
The family may well be trying to find the best solution to enable both people to be living their best lives but also have peace of mind their family members are safe and secure.
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You may offer a remuneration or the CarePA may give a price for the care required per couple.
Please discuss your unique requirements with us and we will aid you in finding your solution.
Introduction Fee
A competitive introduction fee of 17% of the annual salary of a part-time or full time day worker or live in worker will be charged. It is therefore wise to consider a minimum contract period of 12 months with your CarePA. There may be circumstances where a contract can be agreed on 6 month renewable blocks.
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Refunds
If exceptional circumstances arise meaning employment has to end within the first month and it is because of circumstances in relation to the employee, we will endeavour to replace the CarePA / Support Worker free of charge. On the second month it will be 75% reduction of the Introduction Fee and on the third month a 50% reduction. From the 4th month the usual fee will apply. Interviews, assessments and monitoring will have taken place to avoid this. The client will have made their choice and entered into a contract with the employee so we hope this situation does not arise but of course, things can happen if there are exceptional circumstances. More detailed terms will be available and sent by letter, once positions are being discussed. All invoicing and payments will be handled by the accountancy business service for safety and security.
A carer will provide up to date DBS checks, history of employment and references. They will be interviewed and assessed by DCCA as well as by the client before placement. This may take the form of a video interview.
DCCA has a straightforward flat rate that undercuts most private agencies, of 17%. There are no fancy if/or scenarios where that rate will go up giving you surprise invoices. This can work out to be considerabley more cost effective than organising regular care through an agency provision. This is because there are so many additions and variations for longer hours, shorter hours, extra services and so on, that a large bill can quickly accumulate. It can be best to hire your own carer outright for a period at a fixed cost.
This will enable the client to
a) choose the most cost effective route for your situation
b) plan ahead for expected or unexpected changes
c) organise and plan for budgets
We reserve the right to amend our pricing structure at all times.
There is no registration fee for the worker or the client. Simply give us your details and requirement and we will start working on your assignment when needed. Additional costs are usually included within our pricing structure. We will notify you if any additional costs arise. Additional training needed to place the CarePA will be funded by DCCA, subject to that training being within our list of training services available and subject to the services offered by that CarePA. Further training, as required, may be funded by DCCA such as when clients' needs change. If needs change and particular services are required we will help assess whether you need to add to or enhance the current service and any associated costs will be discussed with you. Please do keep in touch with us if this may be the case so we may support your ongoing needs.
Most workers require weekly wages (any other arrangement must be agreed beforehand).
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Payment of the Introduction Fee
Sometimes the need for a CarePA comes suddenly, for example after an accident, or at a time when the flat fee of 17% of the annual salary is difficult to find in one go. Where one or more CarePAs / Support Workers have been hired, a flat fee of 17% their combined annual salary will become payable.
If the worker is not a live in or full time worker, and the number of hours required increases within 12 months of hiring, then we will agree a new contract, with the new hours and the proportionate new amount will become payable. For example, where a 2 hour daily contract might raise to a 6 hour daily contract or where you wish to bring in additional evening/night time carer.
In certain circumstances, for example where it is sudden, the flat fee may also be divided into 3 or 6 instalments. You may ask if you qualify. This arrangement can be agreed beforehand and is subject to circumstances.
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End of Life Care
If you require a CarePA to assist with end of life care, this clearly may not fall into the neat bracket of a 12 month contract. In such circumstances we can seek to find a carer who will enter into a three month or six month contract. Of course, there may be unexpected future extensions to the contract which can be discussed with your CarePA beforehand and at the time. We will keep in touch and ensure you are looked after according to your needs. This is clearly not a situation to be penalised with additional charges or complex contracts. If the contract ends but you require an extension of 3 months or 6 months, it can be agreed and it will simply remain at our flat fee of 17%. What you need at difficult times is sensitive, practical and clear support and we aim to provide that.
Penalties for Protection
For the protection of the client, and the CarePA, should the employment terminate without good reason, as laid down within the terms of the contract and any time during the agreed contract, without preagreement from all parties, a penalty fee will become payable and will usually be 50% percent of the introduction fee that was paid. We hope this encourages best practice from all parties. Exceptional circumstances will of course be provided for and DCCA is always available for discussion to work on difficulties or changes in circumstances.
Beneficiaries
No CarePA, support worker or CompanionCarePA will be permitted to be a sole or main beneficiary of a client's Will. This is to protect all parties. Grateful clients may leave gifts, and DCCA is consulting our solicitors whether a trust fund can be established to provide continuing support for CarePAs and DCCA clients. For example for the possible future purchase of a Daisy Chain Care Agency minibus and driver to provide further support services for both the CarePA and clients such as appointments at hospital or social events and possibly a fulltime CompanionCarePA to provide free company to those alone and in need. DCCA hope to find ways to continue to develop and offer services. We will keep you updated.