Hiring a carer or cleaner · Guide 3 of 7
References, and what to do if there aren’t any
References can tell you how someone has worked for others. But don't be surprised if a carer can't give you any: many families would rather not share that they've had help with a loved one's care, so a good carer may have no previous clients they can put forward.
If they can give you a referee, a short phone call is worth more than a written note. Ask how long they worked together, whether they were reliable, and whether they'd use them again.
If not, other things can give you confidence:
- a reference from a previous employer, such as a care agency, care home or another job
- a character reference from someone who has known them for a while (not a relative)
- reviews on their Carers & Cleaners profile, which only come from families we've introduced
- their DBS certificate and any training certificates
- a paid trial visit with you or another family member there
- starting with a few short visits, then checking with your loved one how it went
If a carer does give you a previous client's details, they should have asked that client first. That's a good sign.