Self-employed carers wanted — Mere
Respite Carer Jobs in Mere
Short-term & weekend respite; set your own rates (typical £19.20–£22.50 per hour)
- Set your own rates, with no agency cut
- Choose your clients and your hours
- Contracts, invoicing and payments handled for you
Registering takes a few minutes · How soon you start depends mostly on your DBS check
Description
Work as a self-employed respite carer in Mere, offering short-term and weekend cover so family carers can take a break. Roles vary from a few hours of evening or weekend sitting to cover for a couple of days — support at home, companionship, medication prompting and personal care where needed. You’ll be matching with local families who need reliable, experienced help across Mere and surrounding villages in Wiltshire and beyond.
Right now, 7 families are currently looking for care in the wider area.
PrimeCarers connects you directly to families and looks after contracts, invoicing and payments. Insurance is included while you work, giving you the security to focus on care. Carers set their own rates and choose their own clients, hours and service area — many respite carers in the area work regular weekend rounds or pick up occasional short-notice bookings to top up their income. Typical rates sit around £19.20–£22.50 per hour; many find hourly cover, live-in days or block bookings that suit their schedule. You remain self-employed and in control.
This kind of role suits experienced carers who value flexibility: people leaving agency shifts, those who want weekends free most weeks but cover some short breaks, or carers who prefer one-to-one work in a home setting. Respite assignments often need patience, good communication with families, and the ability to step in calmly when routines change. You’ll be providing everything from domestic help and companionship to personal care and mobility support depending on each family’s requirements.
To join you must have at least one year of professional care experience, the right to work in the UK and verifiable references. An Enhanced DBS check is required — PrimeCarers can help arrange this for you. PrimeCarers also handles client introductions, contracts and secure payments so you can concentrate on care rather than admin. Applying takes minutes; profiles typically go live within days of verification.
We work with carers across nearby towns including Shaftesbury, Wincanton, Bruton, Tisbury, Warminster and Frome and the wider Wiltshire area. If you’re a reliable, compassionate carer who likes flexibility and wants to keep control of your working life, respite work in Mere can be a fulfilling option. Create a profile, pick the bookings that suit you, and start giving families the breaks they need.
- Types of shifts: short visits, overnight support, weekend breaks, or multi-day respite stays.
- Suitability: experienced, patient carers comfortable with one-to-one home care.
- How to apply: complete your profile online, upload references and DBS, and choose your availability.
What carers earn around Mere
Carers on PrimeCarers are self-employed and set their own rates. Typical ranges are based on what carers in the area currently charge.
Hourly care
Based on 19 carers in the area
£19.20–£22.50 per hour
Overnight care
Based on 15 carers in the area
£17–£18.89 per hour
Live-in care
Based on 2079 carers in the area
£145–£160 per day
What you would take home in Mere
You set your own rate on PrimeCarers, and the rate you advertise is what a client is charged for your time. Our commission comes out of that rate rather than being added to it. Put your week in and the figures below move with it.
A week
£420
25 hours a week, before tax
A month
£1,820
The same week across a calendar month, before tax
Charged for your time
£21 an hour x 25
£525
£2,275
PrimeCarers commission
20%, VAT included
- £105
- £455
You receive
£16.80 an hour
£420
£1,820
Visits shorter than six hours are charged at the hourly commission rate. The commission is taken out of the rate you advertise rather than added on top of it, and the VAT on it comes out of our share.
Tax is yours to sort out
Carers on PrimeCarers are self-employed, so Income Tax and National Insurance come out of the take-home figure above. Nothing is deducted for you and this page does not work out what you owe. Tax and money as a self-employed carer walks through registering with HMRC and what to put aside.
Rates from what 19 carers within 30km of Mere on PrimeCarers charge for this kind of work, taken from the platform when this page was last built. 7 hourly and night placements within 30km of Mere are open at the moment.
Register as a carer to set your own rate and apply for work around Mere.
Register as a carerWhy carers choose PrimeCarers in Mere
You set your rates
You’re self-employed and set your own rates — typical levels are £19.20–£22.50 per hour. Choose the work that fits your income goals.
Choose your hours
Pick short visits, weekend rounds or a few days of respite. You decide your availability and service area.
Meaningful, local work
Provide vital breaks for family carers in Mere and nearby communities, with one-to-one support that really matters.
Admin support & insurance
PrimeCarers handles contracts, invoicing and payments, and provides insurance while you work.
How it works
- 1
Create your profile
Apply online in minutes. Add your experience, references and availability so families can find you.
- 2
Verify and go live
Provide an Enhanced DBS (we can help arrange this), right to work and references. Profiles typically go live within days of verification.
- 3
Choose bookings you want
Accept the respite jobs that suit you, set your rate and arrange times directly with families while PrimeCarers manages payments.
Frequently asked questions
You need at least one year of professional care experience and verifiable references. Respite work often benefits from experience in personal care, dementia or disability support, but we welcome a range of backgrounds.
Yes — an Enhanced DBS check is required. PrimeCarers can guide you through obtaining one if you don't already have it.
Carers are self-employed and set their own rates. PrimeCarers handles contracts, invoicing and payments so you’re paid securely for the hours you accept.
Insurance is included while you work through PrimeCarers, and the platform manages contracts and payments to reduce admin and give you support on each booking.
Demand varies, but many carers pick up local respite shifts quickly, especially at weekends. Applying takes minutes; profiles typically go live within days of verification.
Guides for carers
What the work pays, the checks and paperwork you need, and how to get started.
Ready to start earning on your own terms?
Join the carers already working with families around Mere through PrimeCarers. Set your rate, choose your clients, and let us handle the admin.
