What is children’s care?
Children's care encompasses a broad spectrum of services and practices aimed at ensuring the well-being, development, and safety of children.
It involves nurturing their physical, emotional, and social needs to foster healthy growth and positive outcomes. Children's care can be provided in various settings, including homes, schools, and childcare facilities.
Key components of children's care include healthcare, education, nutrition, and emotional support. This can involve regular medical check-ups, vaccinations, access to quality education, a balanced diet, and a supportive environment that encourages emotional and social development.
Children's care also helps the creation of safe and stimulating spaces where children can learn, play, and interact with others. It involves collaboration between parents, caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals to create a holistic approach that ensures the overall well-being of the child, as they navigate the various stages of childhood.
How does children’s care work?
The core principles of children's care involve creating a nurturing environment that addresses their physical, emotional, educational, and social needs. Care Professionals play a pivotal role in this process by providing essential support and guidance. In children's care, Care Professionals can offer a range of services, including:
- Emotional Support: Care Professionals create a stable and supportive emotional environment, fostering a sense of security and trust for children.
- Educational Support: This involves assisting with homework, facilitating learning activities, and engaging in educational play to promote cognitive development.
- Healthcare and nutritional support: Care Professionals ensure children have access to regular medical check-ups, vaccinations, and necessary healthcare services, in order to maintain their physical well-being. Care Professionals play a role in providing balanced and nutritious meals, contributing to the overall health and growth of the child.
- Safety and Supervision: Care Professionals create a safe and secure environment, ensuring that children are protected from potential hazards and providing appropriate supervision.
- Social Interaction: Encouraging healthy social interactions, fostering friendships, and supporting children in developing positive social skills.
- Routine and Structure: Care Professionals establish routines that contribute to stability and predictability, which is crucial for children's sense of security.
- Advocacy: Care Professionals can act as advocates for the children, ensuring their needs and rights are recognised and met within various systems and environments.
Why choose children’s care at home?
Choosing children's care at home versus a children's care home involves careful consideration of individual needs and preferences.
Opting for children's care at home provides a more personalised and familiar environment, allowing children to remain within the comfort of their own surroundings.
Home-based care is often beneficial for children who thrive in a familiar setting, maintaining routines, and feeling a strong connection to their family. It also promotes a sense of stability, essential for emotional well-being and development.
What services are included in children's home care?
There are a variety of services to choose from when booking children's care.
Live-in care: Live-in home care is often the preferred method of care for children’s care, as they tend to feel more comfortable in their own space and surroundings.
Hourly care: Care Professionals can also be hired on an hourly basis to provide help when you most need it. Short-term care can be useful at certain times of the day, like when a Care Professional needs an extra pair of hands, for example.
Overnight care: The night can be an anxiety-provoking time for many people, and some may require an overnight Care Professional to provide support if they're feeling anxious or if their symptoms are less manageable at this time of day.
Respite care: Caring for a child? It is important to take a break. Whether it's because of family commitments, work or a Care Professional's need to address their own health and mental wellbeing, respite care can provide necessary time off.
Moreover, respite care can be a good way of trying out an alternative method of care. Professional support can be a good option for someone looking to become more independent in the future, perhaps after leaving school or home.
Cost of children’s home care
Our self-employed Care Professionals set their own rates on Curam. The cost of children’s care is often determined by the level of care required and the number of people needing care. These rates can vary according to the Care Professional’s experience and qualifications.
For those who don’t need 24/7 support, hourly care and overnight care at home may suit their needs.
The average live-in care rate charged on Curam is £1,127 per week, with rates starting at £850 per week. The average hourly care rate charged by Care Professionals on Curam is £19.68 per hour, with rates starting at £14.15 an hour (*as per 01/24). Rates vary depending on where you live in the UK.
