How do I join Close to Hand as a Home Helper?
It is simple to sign up as a Home Helper:
If you are using somebody else’s login then logout of their account first.
Click on the Register tab and select Register as a Home Helper
Complete our quick start page by filling out some basic information including your name, address, email and password
Wait for your verification email and click on the link to verify and complete your profile
You're now a member and you can complete your online profile, begin searching for job posts near you and contact other members about their jobs using our secure messaging service.
What is your verification process?
What is your DBS checking policy?
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate is a record of an individual’s criminal convictions or cautions and is carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service. More information about the DBS and differing levels of DBS checks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about
.
It is not currently a requirement for Home Helpers to have a DBS certificate in order to register on our platform. However, many of the Home Helpers who register do hold their own Basic or Enhanced DBS and they are able to send this to us for verification.
Where a DBS certificate has been verified by Close to Hand, you will clearly see a green badge displayed on your public profile.
The certificate date should be no more than two years old unless it is registered and subscribed with the DBS Update Service. We act reasonably when viewing and verifying a DBS certificate and we reserve the right to remove a Home Helper from our platform if we identify a potential risk to a person’s property or safety.
How much does it cost?
It is currently free to join Close to Hand where you can create a profile, review job posts in your area and respond to local people looking for help via our secure messaging service.
How do I close my account?
If you wish to close your account you can do so at any time via your account settings page once your are logged in. This will delete your profile from the site.
How do I hide my profile?
You can hide your profile from public view at any time by going to your account settings and switching your profile from active to dormant.
This is a useful feature if you have found a suitable position to fill your time or if you are going on holiday.
Don’t forget to switch back your profile to active again when you are ready to start your job search.
How old do I need to be to become a Home Helper?
You need to be aged 18 years or older to become a Home Helper.
Are all my personal details safe?
The information we ask from you when setting up an account and creating your profile is only used to provide the service we offer and connect you with other members of the site. We will never share or sell any of the personal data that you give us.
Our website features a secure, private messaging system which is used by members to contact each other. Members do not have to disclose their personal contact details until they choose to do so.
Please ensure you read our Safety Blog for information on how to stay safe online when using our service.
We follow security procedures as required under UK Data Protection Legislation (the Data Protection Act 1998) to protect the information that we store about you from unauthorised access.
Please read our Privacy Policy for more details.
I’ve never done care work before, can I still be a Home Helper?
Anyone can register to be a Home Helper – all you need is time and a willingness to help. You do not need to have any care training to lend a helping hand and provide someone with some much needed company.
What should I write about in my profile?
Your profile is your opportunity to tell others all about you and why they would want your company! Tell them about your experiences, your hobbies and interests.
We appreciate it is never easy writing about yourself and so we have put together a few useful hints and tips about writing your very best profile.
I have seen a job post that I like the sound of, how do I apply and get in contact with them?
If you want to apply for a job post you have seen on the Close to Hand site you will only be able to contact the job advertiser via our secure private messaging system. To access the messaging system you will need to upgrade to our premium membership.
How much should I charge?
You set your own rates of pay as a Home Helper. We recommend your rate reflects the services you provide and any experience you may have.
We have had a look at similar jobs in the market place and many have a starting figure of around £8-£10 per hour.
You can also volunteer your time.
Do I need to take out my own insurance?
You will be working in somebody else’s home and so we do recommend you cover yourself with public liability insurance.
I feel awkward asking for money, when should I ask for it?
Don’t feel awkward, you’re providing a service. You will set your hourly rate within your profile and so it will be clear and upfront what you will be charging for your time. There will be no need to have this discussion in person or feel awkward. Many clients will be only too willing to pay for home help.
How much of my money will go to Close to Hand?
None. We do not take any fees or commission from your bookings.
How do I stay safe meeting someone new for the first time?
We take your safety very seriously and recommend you take certain steps to keep yourself safe when meeting someone new for the first time:
Be prepared and know who you are meeting: read your client’s profile and talk on the phone, if possible, before your first meeting.
Tell a friend: inform a friend of your where you will be and keep them in the loop if your plans change.
Trust your instincts: if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable make your excuses and leave.
We are providing Close to Hand as a local service that connects you with your own local community members and therefore you may find you share mutual connections without knowing it.
I’ve never done this type of work before, what should I talk about?
It can be tricky meeting someone new for the first time. Our opening words can really set the tone of a conversation and so it is important to put some thought into how you will do this and what you will talk about. Remember to re-read your client’s profile to understand as much as you can about them.
We have written our top tips here on where to begin and how to keep the conversation flowing.
What’s the difference between a basic and premium Home Helper?
All Home Helpers that register with Close to Hand can submit a profile and search through local job posts.
Premium Home Helpers have had their identification verified and have received a background check. You can clearly see when they’ve been through this process as this badge 
appears next to their profile and they will be listed higher up in Home Helper search results. Once Home Helpers are verified they will be able to respond to job posts and contact other members via the site’s secure messaging system.
Basic Home Helpers can register, create a profile and search for local jobs in their area. In order to respond to a job post and connect with people searching for help, basic members will need to upgrade to Premium membership and have their identification verified and a background check completed.
Why do you have ratings and reviews for Home Helpers?
Close to Hand is a community and as such we want to encourage people to share information and communicate with each other. That’s why we’ve enabled registered members to leave recommendations and reviews of Home Helpers.
Being transparent and open is important to us and featuring recommendations and enabling ratings is just another way for us to build trust.
How do I know if a review is genuine?
Only registered Close to Hand members can leave reviews on Home Helper profiles, this avoids any concerns over ‘fake’ recommendations.
What if I don’t agree with the review that has been left on my profile?
If you do not agree with something that has been written about you, you have the right to reply directly below the review or you can report the review using the ‘report’ button. Once reported, the review will be temporarily removed and the issue investigated by a member of our team.