How to hire care workers responsibly

The short answer

Publish an accurate vacancy, review candidates against the same job-related criteria, interview suitable applicants and independently complete every identity, right-to-work, reference, qualification, registration and safeguarding check required for the role. A SkilledCarer profile helps discovery; it does not replace the employer's recruitment decision or statutory responsibilities.

1. Write a vacancy people can evaluate

• Use a recognisable job title and describe the actual duties.
• State the location, working pattern and contract type.
• Give an accurate salary or hourly rate wherever possible.
• Separate essential requirements from desirable experience.
• Only mark sponsorship as available when your organisation can genuinely consider it for that specific vacancy.

2. Review candidates consistently

Compare applicants with the published requirements and keep notes of job-related decisions. Manually verified SkilledCarer employers can use candidate search, saved profiles, applications and messaging, but should confirm material profile information directly with the candidate.

3. Complete the checks for the role

Before employment begins, determine which checks apply to the role and service. GOV.UK states that employers must check that an applicant is allowed to work in the UK. Use the official process rather than a profile statement or screenshot.

• Follow the official GOV.UK right-to-work process.
• Check which level of criminal-record check is lawful and suitable using the DBS guidance for employers. Different duties can require different checks.
• Verify references, claimed qualifications and any professional registration relevant to the position.
• Apply your safeguarding, employment, data-protection and regulatory procedures.

4. Make the offer unambiguous

Confirm the role, pay, hours, workplace, start date, conditions and any outstanding checks in writing. Do not imply that SkilledCarer has employed, endorsed or certified a candidate; the hiring organisation remains responsible for its decision.