What to Charge As A Night Carer

What Should I Charge as a Night Carer? — and Why It Matters Sleeping Night vs Waking Night — They Are Not The Same 🛌 Sleeping Night You are expected to sleep. You may be woken occasionally. You are "on call" rather than actively working. 👀 Waking Night You are expected to remain awake. You are actively monitoring, repositioning, toileting, administering medication, or supporting throughout the night. These are two completely different jobs. And they should be priced differently. 🛌 Sleeping Night Rates Typical Independent Rate (UK 2026 guide) £120 – £180 per night Why the range? Because you are still: Away from your own home Unable to take other work Responsible for emergencies Potentially disturbed multiple times Even if you sleep well, you are not "off duty". 💡 Important: If you are awake more than around 20–30 minutes regularly, this should trigger renegotiation to a waking rate or additional disturbance fee. 👀 Waking Night Rates Typical Independent Rate (UK 2026 guide) £18 – £25 per hour For a 10-hour night shift: £180 – £250 per night This reflects: Continuous responsibility Physical handling Medication support Safeguarding duties Sleep deprivation impact You cannot charge sleeping rates for waking work. 🚗 Night Care with Driving Requirements 🟢 Night Care (No Driving) Sleeping night: £120–£180 Waking night: £18–£22 per hour Mileage charged separately 🟣 Night Care (Includes Driving / Emergency Escort) Sleeping night: £180–£250 Waking night: £20–£25 per hour Mileage charged separately If you are expected to: Transport to hospital Collect medication overnight Use your own vehicle in an emergency That risk has value and specialist insurance needs. You can claim up to 45p per mile against tax (HMRC rate) — anything you charge your client above that is taxable income. ⚖️ Why It Matters Undercharging for nights leads to: Burnout Resentment Hidden sleep deprivation Carers leaving the sector Families confused about what they're actually paying for Over time, repeated broken sleep impacts: Cognitive function Driving safety Emotional regulation Physical health Night care is not "just in case". It is a specialist responsibility. 🚩 Red Flags If a family says: "They only wake once or twice." "You can sleep most of the time." "The last carer didn't charge extra." You respond calmly with: "If sleep is consistently interrupted, the role becomes a waking night. We can review after the first week." Professional. Calm. Boundaried. 📌 What Should You Personally Charge? That depends on: Your experience Complexity of needs Region Whether this is part of a live-in arrangement Whether nights are temporary (post-hospital) or permanent But here's the rule: If it affects your sleep, it affects your rate. 💥 If your rate feels like a guess… it probably is And guessing is exactly how carers end up underpaid. Inside the Pro Carer Circle, you'll get access to: A full pricing calculator (hourly + live-in) Real-world rate guidance Tools to protect your income and your time ➡️ Join the Pro Carer Circle and set your rates properly If you're a carer navigating pricing, boundaries, or professionalism in independent care — you're not alone. This is exactly why communities like Just Care Community exist.