Often, as a result of a life changing event, many people unwittingly become employers of care staff in their homes. A loved one had an accident or incident that results in a brain injury or trauma, spinal injury or multiple complex disabilities that changes their life - as well as all those around them; their families, their friends, even their work colleagues. Caregivers, support workers, rehabilitation assistants are employed to provide complex care for them, sometimes on a 24/7 basis. These people could be friends or relatives, or professional caregivers. Families or individuals are placed in a position of being an employer and meeting their legal obligations to their employees. Not meeting these obligations can mean costly claims to an employment tribunal. With over 20 years' experience complying with employment law, HR specialist, author of Employing Care Staff in Your Home, and advocate for people who employ care staff in their homes, working with case managers and deputies appointed by the Court of Protection, Cecily Lalloo is host of 'YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE.' In these episodes, Cecily shares tips and information with people who employ care staff in their homes so that they get to know what they don't know about employing people.
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YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Season 2, Episode 6 - Kim Farmer on being a child carer for a sibling
Saison 2 · Épisode 6
mardi 30 septembre 2025 • Durée 58:52
I met Kim, through my gym. We were partnered to do what’s called an Engine Race - I hadn’t heard the term till then! What stayed with me after our first meeting was the fact that Kim Farmer was caring for her older brother, and had been since she was a child. I knew that Kim would have experiences that I couldn’t imagine and also knew she would have stories to share with other siblings, with parents, and with care staff and other professionals.
So, here we are in YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. delving into those experiences. A ‘take home’ tip from Kim for those working in this space is - listen to the siblings, they know more than you think they do and give siblings the time and space to be who they are - a child, a teenager. Kim also talks about the impact on the next generation - her children.
Kim, throughout, acknowledges that these are her experiences, her views, her family dynamics and that each person and family will be different. Environment and time impact everyone differently.
I thank Kim for her heartfelt and passionate talk with me and for sharing as she has.
I’d love you to leave a comment, ask a question or tell me your thoughts on this topic or any other.
CONTACT Cecily, buy her book, subscribe to her newsletter and listen to her podcast at cecilylalloo.com.
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YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Season 2, Episode 5 - David Robson of Mark Bates Ltd, specialists in disability insurance, talks about the importance of home employment insurance.
Saison 2 · Épisode 5
dimanche 31 août 2025 • Durée 28:11
In this episode, Cecily speaks with David Robson of Mark Bates Ltd, specialists in disability insurance. David shares his journey into the insurance industry and explains why home employment insurance is essential for families and individuals who employ carers or personal assistants in their homes.
We discuss:
Why employers’ liability is a legal requirement and what it really covers
How home employment insurance goes beyond the basics — including redundancy, personal possessions, legal support, PA or carer replacement, shopper cover and even holiday cancellation cover
Common risks employers face when hiring carers at home
The importance of choosing the right level of cover for peace of mind
David also highlights the additional specialist insurance products available for people with disabilities, from mobility equipment to travel cover, and why having the right support matters when making a claim.
Find Cecily on LinkedIn, buy her book, and subscribe to her podcast at cecilylalloo.com
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Season 2, Episode 4 - Why a detective sergeant of the Metropolitan Police Force changes direction into HR.
Saison 2 · Épisode 4
jeudi 31 juillet 2025 • Durée 35:14
In this episode, host Cecily Lalloo is joined by Kate Marston, former Detective
Sergeant in the Metropolitan Police and now Founder & CEO of MAST People
Support, an HR and investigations consultancy.
Kate shares her unique journey from policing to corporate HR and unpacks the
complex challenges faced by families who employ care staff in their homes.
Together, they explore:
●
What the legal duty to prevent harassment means for home employers
●
How to handle complaints sensitively while fulfilling legal obligations
●
The difference between bullying and harassment
●
Why intention doesn’t outweigh impact
●
The importance of clear reporting pathways, boundaries, and
respectful communication
●
How to manage tricky situations involving family, friends, and carers
Whether you're a new or long-time employer of care staff, this conversation
offers practical tools, real-life insight, and thoughtful guidance to help you
navigate your responsibilities confidently and with compassion.
You can contact
Kate Marston, Founder & CEO of MAST People Support at:
https://www.mastpeoplesupport.co.uk/
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Season 2, Episode 3 - With Guest Elizabeth Nightingale on Music as Therapy
Saison 2 · Épisode 3
lundi 30 juin 2025 • Durée 32:43
S2 Ep 3 with guest Elizabeth Nightingale on Music as Therapy
Elizabeth Nightingale is a Qualified Music Therapist & Registered Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow specialising in brain injury, working as a practitioner in Level 1 rehabilitation and in the community with case managed individuals.
For over ten years she has worked with children and adults in NHS, private and community settings, using carefully selected music-based techniques to leverage neuroplasticity and support goals ranging from improved speech to enhanced motor function.
In her sessions, Elizabeth provides most of the specialised instruments herself, then develops home programs using video and audio recordings or suggests affordable instruments and apps for families to use between her visits. She trains siblings and care staff in simple, motivating activities - such as taking turns with a switch or rhythmic movement exercise - building their confidence through joint practice and feedback from her, so the family and carers can continue the work independently.
Typically seeing her case managed clients once a week, Elizabeth tailors at-home practice to each family’s schedule, the client’s energy levels, and resources. She emphasises that beyond functional gains, music therapy brings emotional and social rewards - laughter, connection, and shared joy - reminding us that “if you want to give someone the best opportunity to respond and engage, try using music.”
Listen to Elizabeth chat with me, discuss some case studies and how best she supports her clients.
Elizabeth will be pleased to hear from you if you contact her at her email addresselizabeth@nightingalenmt.co.uk or through her website
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Season 2, Episode 2 - Young Lives, Big Impact – With Cerebra’s CEO Jess Camburn-Rahmani
Saison 2 · Épisode 2
samedi 31 mai 2025 • Durée 34:44
In this episode, Cecily Lalloo speaks with Jess Camburn-Rahmani, the new CEO of Cerebra, a UK charity supporting children with neurological conditions.
Jess, who brings a background in international development, shares her passion for breaking down barriers to services for families of children with disabilities. She discusses Cerebra’s inclusive approach — offering free access to resources such as books and sensory toys through their library — and the organisation’s commitment to bringing both support and joy to families, carers, and children.
Jess also introduces important new research into how service interactions can unintentionally traumatise families. She explains how Cerebra’s legal team steps in to provide expert advice, helping families challenge decisions around support and services. Listen to Jess talk about major research on continence support for children, sleep exhaustion, and her encouragement to take care of our own wellbeing especially when caring for others.
Finally, Jess invites everyone to “Relay Your Way,” an inclusive fundraising initiative designed for people of all abilities or disabilities. The event reflects Cerebra’s mission to provide everyone with the opportunity to take part in sport across Scotland, England and Wales. Cerebra is proud to include 30 SEND schools and over 9,000 children.
Find Cecily on LinkedIn, buy her book, and subscribe to her podcast at cecilylalloo.com
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Season 2, Episode 1 - A Chat with Deputy Alexandra Knipe and Partner Emma Tante of Anthony Gold Solicitors Court of Protection Team.
Saison 2 · Épisode 1
mercredi 30 avril 2025 • Durée 42:44
Series 2 of my podcast YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE is the start of a new chapter for me as I delve into more creativity, step away from regular operational HR work through Embrace HR, whilst still advocating for people who unwittingly become employers which was not in their plans.
Alexandra Knipe and Emma Tante from Anthony Gold Solicitors join me as my guests for this Episode 1 of Series 2. They share what it means to be a Deputy appointed by the Court of Protection. We talk about the real challenges of employing care staff in their clients’ homes. It can be an unnatural situation having people work sometimes 24/7, knowing your very personal business, your arguments with loved ones, living alongside your family on a daily basis.
There are goods and bads and as Alexandra and Emma point out, communication, communication, communication is the key to good relationships. This is a fact, of course, in all walks of life.
Alexandra, the Head of the Court of Protection Team at Anthony Gold solicitors, has been specialising in the field for over twenty years and acts as a deputy for many clients. Emma, a Partner at Anthony Gold Solicitors, has been working in the Court of Protection area for many years too, and deals with the day-to-day running of many files under deputyships.
Emma, talks about the whole day employment conference dedicated to all things employment that the Professional Deputies Forum (PDF) organised. Emma is an active member of the PDF who recognise the importance and challenges of their clients’ employing staff in their homes.
Alexandra discusses her role as Deputy, primarily focusing on property and affairs management, and occasionally handling welfare needs, explaining that they act for clients with significant compensation awards, who require extensive care, that can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds annually. Furthermore, as the employer on behalf of clients, she facilitates employment contracts for clients who cannot do so themselves. Emma added that the appointment of a deputy can be initiated by either a professional or a lay individual, especially when significant sums or contentious issues are involved. They clarify that while professional deputies are favoured for complex cases, lay individuals such as family members can also be appointed in some circumstances.
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Episode 9 – Karen Mitchell of KMHR Solutions talks to Cecily about HR challenges and good practice.
Saison 1 · Épisode 9
samedi 5 avril 2025 • Durée 37:35
Season 1 Episode 9 : Karen Mitchell of KMHR Solutions talks to Cecily about HR challenges and good practice.
Episode description
In Season 1 Episode 9 of YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE, Karen Mitchell from KMHR Solutions, shares experiences and thoughts on providing HR support for you as families and individuals who employ care staff in your home.
As HR professionals, the emphasis is on the importance of balancing employer and employee responsibilities and providing practical solutions. We chat about the challenges of managing employer/employee relationships within a home, setting expectations and boundaries, the need for clear policies and procedures to protect both the employer and the employee. One of Karen’t top tips is to take time to learn about HR practices and seek advice from your HR provider.
We all face challenges in a workplace when boundaries become blurred. This is even more difficult in a home environment where close relationships are forged. How is this managed? How can difficult conversations be navigated using your HR professional?
Even though the same employment issues can arise when your home is a workplace, as they do in conventional businesses, sensitivity, flexibility, and open communication is important.
If you’d like to find out more from Karen, here are her contact details:
Often as a result of a life changing event, many people unwittingly become employers of care staff in their homes. A loved one had an accident or incident that results in a brain injury or trauma, spinal injury or multiple complex disabilities that change their life, as well as all those around them - families, friends, work colleagues. Caregivers, support workers, rehabilitation assistants are employed to provide complex care, sometimes on a 24/7 basis. These people could be friends or relatives, or professional caregivers. Does this resonate with you? Are you placed in a position of being an employer or managing people in your home? Are you meeting your legal obligations to the people who have become employees? It can be extremely costly if an employer does not meet their employment obligations and an employee wishes to bring a claim to an employment tribunal.
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Episode 8 – May you smile at the memories in time to come
Saison 1 · Épisode 8
mardi 4 mars 2025 • Durée 09:55
S1 008 Ep – May you smile at the memories in time to come
This episode is my thoughts on the loss of a client through death. The impact this can have on not only the family, but on the other people around them who have built up relationships is immense. We have just lost a young person and my heart is with their mother, siblings and family.
Birth and death are certainties. We’re not all ready to face talking about this fact of life, but it happens. In the fifteen years that I have provided HR support to families with children, young adults or adults with multiple complex disabilities (the client), we have lost three children and two young adults. I feel for the parents, the families, as well as the employees, the team who support them and their family. The employees, the care givers, may have worked for the client for years and are a part of the family in many ways.
Unfortunately, the employees lose their jobs immediately – it's called frustration of contract. They are in essentially in a redundancy situation. It’s a hard time losing someone and losing your job. Many families are upset about the situation that their staff are in, whilst at the same time grieving the loss of their loved one. It is such a difficult time for everyone.
I’d like to share this poem with everyone who has lost a loved one. May you feel their love. May you smile at the memories in time to come.
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Episode 7 – Linda Sayers - Safeguarding with a capital ‘S’ Safeguarding with a capital ‘S’ starts with a little niggle
Saison 1 · Épisode 7
mardi 18 février 2025 • Durée 59:48
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Episode 7 – Linda Sayers
Safeguarding with a capital ‘S’ starts with a little niggle says Linda Sayers, in this episode of YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE.
I chatted with Linda Sayers about the importance of safeguarding where support workers, rehabilitation assistants, personal assistants are employed to care for someone in their own home. In this show note references will be made to ‘support worker’ which means any of the above titles. Linda shares her extensive experience in the field of safeguarding and emphasises the need for proper recruitment and induction processes which contribute to safeguarding. We discussed the importance of training for workers, the need for ongoing supervision, and the importance of listening to one's gut instincts. Linda pointed out that she sees safeguarding with a lowercase ‘s’ as a responsibility of everyone and should be an every day concern. But that what she calls Safeguarding with an uppercase or capital ‘S’ it something bigger “that starts with a little niggle”.
Linda’s background is in both social work and human resource management hence her bringing her experience in both fields to share the importance of balancing safeguarding with employment considerations in the home, as in any organisation. Linda, is a social worker by profession, with extensive experience in case management and safeguarding.
Linda talks about the importance of establishing clear house rules and safeguarding measures in family homes where care is provided. The need to train staff in health and safety, moving and handling, medication, and safeguarding practices, amongst other things must not be taken lightly. Linda also highlights the need to address safeguarding concerns, even if they involve family members, as part of a professional's duty.
We discuss why workers may find it difficult to report instances where they feel there may be a safeguarding concern. In a family home the workspace is more informal, and closer relationships are formed. Workers may be concerned about falling out with family or colleagues if they get it wrong, and it may have an impact on their job.
YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE. - Episode 6 - Take the headache out of record-keeping with Sam Milliken-Smith co-founder of Heba
Saison 1 · Épisode 6
mercredi 1 janvier 2025 • Durée 27:09
Episode 6
Take the headache out of record-keeping
Wishing you Compliments of the Season and all the very best wishes for a positive 2025 – may all your dreams come true.
Episode 6 of Series 1 of Your Home. Their Workplace. introduces another way to take the headache out of record-keeping in 2025.
Host of the show, Cecily Lalloo discusses Sam Milliken-Smith the formation and purpose of Heba, a platform designed to support families and care professionals in managing and navigating care. Sam, who co-founded Heba, shared his personal motivation for creating the platform, citing experiences as volunteering for charities supporting children with developmental differences. Cecily acknowledged the importance of record-keeping in their field and expressed her belief that Heba could make a significant difference by streamlining information and saving time. Sam, emphasizing that Heba is designed to help users understand and share information,
Sam explained that Heba Care was initially set up to assist with care coordination, particularly through the lens of the family, but is now used by various care professionals and case management firms. The tool offers care management features, access to expert guidance and resources, and a collaborative way of working which is designed to support care teams and facilitate collaboration among family members and care professionals. It allows users to track and share symptoms, medications, events, appointments, and exercises, and can be used by families with case managers or care support workers. The software solution, Heba, is used by families to track their children's health and by care professionals to manage their shifts and keep track of events. The tool is designed to be flexible and accessible, with over 10,000 app sessions recorded by some users. Cecily inquired about the ease of setting up the tool and Sam said that they prioritised user-friendliness and intuitiveness in its development. He said the availability of a new app, which can be downloaded from the app store within 30 seconds. The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, with a free version available for trial. It can be used on various devices, including iPhones, Android devices, and tablets. The app is intended for families and professionals to manage care circles, with the option to invite others to join. Heba plan to develop a web app for laptop use in the future.
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Find Cecily on LinkedIn, buy her book, and subscribe to her podcast at
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We discuss the challenges of employing carers in a family home setting, highlighting the importance of open communication, setting clear expectations, and understanding the legal rights of carers. The need for ongoing training and supervision to ensure a safe and stress-free environment for both carers and clients is covered. Alexandra and Emma discussed the potential risks associated with employing carers, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, bullying, and harassment. They emphasised the importance of effective communication and active management to prevent such issues from escalating. Cecily acknowledged the challenges faced by families in managing these situations and agreed that openness and collaboration is important. Emma added that family members often unintentionally become managers and emphasised the need for clear communication channels to address any issues promptly.
Creating a safe environment goes beyond health and safety, and can include addressing issues such as language barriers and personal relationships. The conversation concluded with the recognition that the challenges of employing carers in a home environment are unique and require a different approach compared to a corporate setting. It was an honour to speak with Alexandra and Emma and I very much appreciate the time they took to share their knowledge and experience. Should you want more information from them or want to talk with them, this is Alexandra’s contact page and here is a link to Emma’s.
Often as a result of a life changing event, many people unwittingly become employers of care staff in their homes. A loved one had an accident or incident that results in a brain injury or trauma, spinal injury or multiple complex disabilities that change their life, as well as all those around them - families, friends, work colleagues. Caregivers, support workers, rehabilitation assistants are employed to provide complex care, sometimes on a 24/7 basis. These people could be friends or relatives, or professional caregivers. Does this resonate with you? Are you placed in a position of being an employer or managing people in your home? Are you meeting your legal obligations to the people who have become employees? It can be extremely costly if an employer does not meet their employment obligations and an employee wishes to bring a claim to an employment tribunal.
Over many years Cecily Lalloo has provided HR support for families, case managers and deputies appointed by the Court of Protection and their teams. She has brought her experience to this unique sector and, as she retires from operational HR, she is an advocate for people who employ care staff in their homes and unwittingly become employers. She is the author or “Employing Care Staff in Your Home” where she shares tips and advice on HR best practice.
This podcast, YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE provides you with tips and advice from professionals, parent carers, and others who support the employment journey when your home is their workplace.
Cecily is happy to hear from you if you would like to guest on the podcast, if you have any feedback or suggestions for future topics. Her contact details are:
cecilylalloo.com
Over many years Cecily Lalloo has provided HR support for families, case managers and deputies appointed by the Court of Protection and their teams. She has brought her experience to this unique sector and, as she retires from operational HR, she is an advocate for people who employ care staff in their homes and unwittingly become employers. She is the author or “Employing Care Staff in Your Home” where she shares tips and advice on HR best practice.
This podcast, YOUR HOME. THEIR WORKPLACE provides you with tips and advice from professionals, parent carers, and others who support the employment journey when your home is their workplace.
Cecily is happy to hear from you if you would like to guest on the podcast, if you have any feedback or suggestions for future topics. Her contact details are:
cecilylalloo.com
TAKE THE LOVE
Take the love you had for me
and turn it into laughter
turn it into bling light
to shine on your thereafter.
Take the love you have for me
and who it to the world
something so amazing
needs to blossom and unfurl
Take the love that made us
keep it burning bright
let that fire guide you
let it warm you through the night
Take the love you shared with me
and spread it out with gladness
my life will not have been in vain
if you can fight the sadness
Take the love my darling
it's yours to carry on
grow that love forever more
and then I won’t be gone.
Linda points out that even family members have concerns with regard to reporting and shares a personal case from her professional experience as a case manager. She recounts a situation involving a 24/7 support team for an adult client with severe brain and spinal injuries. A support worker reported a colleague's rough handling of the client, which led to the colleague’s suspension, full investigation, and eventual conviction. The case highlighted the importance of support workers feeling safe to report concerns and the need for effective management of such situations. Linda also shares her ongoing relationship with the client's mother, who expressed gratitude for Linda’s intervention as case manager.
We cover the importance of safeguarding training for support workers and the need for families to be involved in such discussions. Safeguarding training should be mandatory and should start from the beginning of employment, says Linda. The training should not be just a tick-box exercise but should involve understanding emotions, dealing with dilemmas, and recognising indicators of abuse. It is important to set out the house rules and the need for families to share these rules with their workers. Linda shares a particular frustration that could have been avoided if the family had shared with the worker a simple house rule. We discuss different ways to train as it is not an easy task to get all workers together at the same time in order to train. We discuss the need for ongoing supervision and team meetings to keep safeguarding practices alive.
Linda reminds us how professional curiosity, not dismissing gut feelings about potential issues, setting boundaries and expectations are the mainstay of safeguarding, as is early intervention in addressing issues before they escalate.
Contact Linda Sayers, Director of Sayers Social Care Consultancy, to find out about her company’s training offers for employees, families, deputies and case managers.
Sam emphasised that they have invested heavily in data security and privacy and have undergone various processes to ensure compliance with bodies such as the NHS. They also mentioned that they have certifications like Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. He assured Cecily that the data is safe, secure, and accessible to users, who can decide how to use it. The conversation also touched on the potential for HR functions like holiday management to be integrated into Heba in the future.
Meet Sam and co-founder Uzay Marcar on their website https://www.heba.care/about and sign up for a free trial.
Cecily has been pointing her clients to this website to take a look as many express the fact that information sharing is repetitive, and they look for ways to streamline processes within their teams, keep accurate records, and share vital information. I do hope that this will be a solution that will help families with both children and adults who need constant care.
Let me have your feedback, your views and suggestions for future shows.
