FAQs

Zena Care is a modern platform designed specifically for self-employed carers. Rather than working for an agency that controls your schedule and takes a large percentage of client payments, we empower you to build your own independent care practice. We provide the technology, support, and framework that allows you to find clients, manage bookings, and receive secure payments – while maintaining control over your work life and keeping up to 85% of what clients pay.

Working through Zena Care offers significant advantages compared to agency employment. Financially, you keep a much larger portion of what clients pay – typically £15-£25+ per hour compared to the £10-£12 many agencies offer. You have complete freedom over your schedule, choosing when you work and with which clients. You can build meaningful, long-term relationships with clients without being rotated according to agency policies. You're recognised as a skilled professional with your own profile and rates that reflect your experience. All this comes with administrative support and insurance coverage that makes independent practice simpler.

You can offer whatever care services align with your skills and experience. This includes personal care (assisting with washing, dressing, and other intimate needs), specialist support for conditions like dementia or Parkinson's, practical help with meals and housekeeping, companionship and social support, live-in care, overnight assistance, or recovery support after illness or hospital stays. You decide which services you're comfortable and qualified to provide, and you can update your profile as your skills evolve.

No, Zena Care is not a care agency and does not employ carers. We are a technology platform that connects self-employed carers with people seeking care. This distinction matters because as a self-employed professional, you maintain control over your work, rates, and client relationships. You're responsible for your own tax affairs and National Insurance contributions. You can work with clients through multiple channels if you wish, with no minimum hours requirements or exclusivity clauses. This arrangement offers greater freedom and earning potential, though it does come with responsibilities regarding tax and professional conduct.

To join our community of independent carers, you'll need care experience (either professional or substantial experience caring for a family member), an Enhanced DBS check (criminal record check), documentation proving your right to work in the UK, and professional references who can vouch for your character and abilities. You'll need to register as self-employed with HMRC (or be willing to do so – we can help with this process). You'll also need basic technology access – a smartphone or computer with internet connection – and a UK bank account for receiving payments.

Becoming self-employed involves a few straightforward steps. You must register with HMRC within three months of starting self-employed work, which can be done online or by phone. You'll need to keep records of your income and work-related expenses – even simple records are sufficient if they're accurate. Once a year, you'll complete a Self Assessment tax return reporting your income and expenses, and pay any tax and National Insurance due. While this might sound daunting, we provide guides, templates, and workshops to help you navigate these responsibilities.

Absolutely. Many carers create a work pattern that suits their individual circumstances. Some combine Zena Care clients with agency work or other employment. Others start with just a few hours through our platform while maintaining other jobs, then gradually build their client base. The platform allows you to block out unavailable times, ensuring clients only contact you for work that fits your schedule. You have complete flexibility to create a working pattern that suits your life and income needs.

Building a successful care practice involves several key steps. Create a standout profile with a professional photo and detailed bio highlighting your experience and approach to care. Set clear availability so the system can match you with suitable clients. Respond promptly to messages from potential clients to demonstrate reliability. Approach interviews professionally, asking thoughtful questions about their needs and explaining how your experience relates to their situation. For your first assignments, go above and beyond to earn positive reviews, which will attract more clients. Focus on building relationships through empathy, reliability, and professionalism.

The initial meeting sets the foundation for a successful care relationship. Listen carefully to understand not just practical care needs but also preferences and what matters most to the person. Ask specific questions about daily routines, health conditions, communication preferences, home access, and emergency procedures. Share relevant experience from your background. Discuss practical arrangements clearly – your availability, hourly rate, notice periods for changes, and how expenses like travel might be handled. Observe the home environment for any potential challenges. Above all, focus on building rapport and trust – the personal connection is just as important as technical care skills.

Reliability is crucial in care work, but everyone occasionally needs time off. For planned absences like holidays, give clients as much notice as possible – ideally at least two weeks – and remind them again closer to the time. If appropriate, help identify potential cover from other Zena Care carers. For unexpected situations like illness, contact the client as soon as you know you can't attend, apologize, and if possible, suggest alternative times you could provide care. Clear communication maintains trust even when plans must change, and most clients understand that carers are human too, as long as cancellations are handled professionally.

Our payment system is designed to be secure and convenient. After providing care, the system automatically records your hours based on your agreed schedule (you can adjust this if needed). Clients are charged automatically through their registered payment method. Funds are processed and transferred to your bank account weekly, typically arriving 3-5 working days after each week ends. You'll receive a detailed breakdown of all payments to help with tax records. The platform deducts a service fee of 15% from each payment to cover insurance, payment processing, marketing, and support services.

Managing your tax responsibilities is an important part of self-employment. Keep accurate records throughout the year, noting all income from care work and work-related expenses such as travel between clients, uniform costs, and training. Set aside approximately 20-30% of your income for tax and National Insurance. Complete your Self Assessment tax return annually by January 31st, covering the previous tax year (April 6 - April 5). Pay your tax bill by the deadline to avoid penalties. Zena Care provides guidance through regular workshops, basic record-keeping templates, and year-end statements of your platform earnings.

Proper insurance protection is essential for your professional security. Good news: basic insurance coverage is included as part of the Zena Care service. Our group policy covers public liability (up to £5 million), professional indemnity (up to £1 million), and personal accident coverage. This applies only to work arranged through our platform – if you have clients outside Zena Care, you'll need separate insurance for that work. Additional coverage to consider includes car insurance that covers business use (if you drive to clients), higher coverage limits for specialized care, and income protection for longer-term illness.

Investing in your professional development benefits both you and your clients. Core training that enhances your profile includes moving and handling, medication management, first aid, infection control, and dementia care. Specialized training that can command higher rates includes catheter care, stoma care, PEG feeding, and complex dementia support. Zena Care offers discounted online training courses, skills workshops in major cities, and peer learning groups. With the right specialized skills, you can increase your hourly rate significantly, making training a worthwhile investment for your career growth.

We're committed to supporting your success as a self-employed care professional. Our dedicated support team is available seven days a week to assist with profile creation, platform navigation, and resolving client concerns. We provide business development resources including guidance on setting appropriate rates, advice on tax and self-employment, and templates for care documentation. For professional development, we offer access to discounted training, webinars on specialized care topics, and updates on regulatory changes. We also foster community through regional peer support groups and online forums where you can connect with other carers to share experiences and advice.

As a self-employed carer, you can reduce your tax bill by claiming legitimate business expenses. These typically include travel costs between different clients (but not from home to your first client), a portion of your phone bill if used for work, uniform and protective equipment, insurance premiums, training course fees, and professional membership fees. If you use a room in your home exclusively for business administration, you may be able to claim a portion of household bills. Keep receipts and records for everything you claim. The general rule is that expenses must be "wholly and exclusively" for business purposes.

Setting your rates requires balancing what the market will bear with the value of your skills and experience. For standard home care, rates typically range from £15-£25 per hour depending on your location, experience, and the complexity of care provided. Specialized skills like dementia care, PEG feeding, or catheter management can command higher rates. Consider charging more for unsocial hours (early mornings, evenings, weekends), short visits, or complex care needs. Research what other carers in your area charge for similar services. Remember that you can adjust your rates as you gain experience and additional qualifications.

Caring for others is rewarding but can be physically and emotionally demanding. To maintain your wellbeing while building your practice, be realistic about how many hours you can work effectively – quality care requires energy and focus. Build breaks between clients to avoid rushing and give yourself time to decompress. Use a detailed calendar system to manage appointments and avoid double-booking. Set clear boundaries with clients regarding your working hours and availability. Make self-care non-negotiable – proper rest, nutrition, and time off are essential for sustainable practice. Finally, connect with other carers for support and advice; sharing experiences helps prevent isolation and provides valuable perspective.