Question 1

Am I employed by Shiftium, or self-employed?

Accepted Answer

Self-employed. You're in control — Shiftium connects you with shifts and pays you for them, but we're not your employer and don't supervise your work.

Question 2

What do I need before I can start taking shifts?

Accepted Answer

ID, right-to-work proof, a CSA CPD Training subscription (free for 30 days, then £10/month — this is what gives you platform access, not an optional extra), and — for certain roles — a DBS certificate (an existing one or the DBS Update Service often work, with no fee). We chase renewals for you with reminders before anything expires.

Question 3

When do I actually get paid?

Accepted Answer

As soon as your timesheet is approved — approval releases payment immediately, straight to your account. If a provider doesn't respond at all, your timesheet is auto-approved and paid within 3 working days regardless, so you're never left waiting indefinitely either way.

Question 4

Who handles my tax?

Accepted Answer

You do — it's your income as a self-employed carer. We don't take a cut of it or give tax advice, so what you see is what you keep, minus your own HMRC bill.

Question 5

Is my data — including DBS and health info — safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It's protected under UK GDPR, shared only where legally required, and never sold on.

Question 6

What if something goes wrong — a dispute or a safeguarding concern?

Accepted Answer

Raise it in-app. Safeguarding concerns are escalated immediately and confidentially; payment or conduct disputes are reviewed with evidence from both sides, usually within 10 working days.

Question 7

Is this an employment agency, and who's liable for the care delivered?

Accepted Answer

No — Shiftium is a marketplace, not an agency. Carers work with you directly as self-employed professionals; you stay responsible for your own regulatory compliance (CQC etc.), and we stay out of the care relationship itself.

Question 8

What does it cost?

Accepted Answer

First month free. From £24.99/month after that (cheaper on a 12-month term, or £249/year upfront) — cancel anytime with 30 days' notice.

Question 9

How do payments and refunds work if a shift falls through?

Accepted Answer

We hold the payment when a shift is booked and release it once the timesheet's approved. If the shift doesn't happen, you're refunded within 3 working days.

Question 10

What's your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancel with more than 12 hours' notice: free. Inside 12 hours: a 25% fee goes to the carer as compensation. Fair to both sides.

Question 11

How do I know a carer is actually qualified and vetted?

Accepted Answer

Every carer's DBS and training status is visible on their profile before you book them — no chasing paperwork.

Question 12

What are my own compliance obligations?

Accepted Answer

Keep your CQC registration current and only ask carers to work within what their training covers. We flag any gaps on their side; the rest is standard good practice on yours.

Question 13

What if there's a dispute with a carer?

Accepted Answer

Raise it on the platform with evidence from both sides — we aim to resolve it within 10 working days, without it affecting either party's legal rights.

Care shifts, sorted.

A care provider

Care at home

A carer

From first post to sorted, in three steps.

Tell us what you need

Match with a vetted carer

Confirm, and it's sorted

Built for the standards care work is held to.

DBS checks

Right to work

Inspection-ready records

Safeguarding

Secure payments & data

Stories from both sides of the rota.

Frequently asked questions

Ready when you are.