For Carers

How UbuntuCare works for carers.

Choose the childcare pathway that fits your experience, complete the right checks and training, build a trusted profile, and prepare to be matched with families who value your skills, culture, and care.

Apply now Compare pathways
Apply firstTell us your role, experience, languages, location, and availability.
Get verifiedDBS, identity, references, safeguarding, and role-specific checks.
Go live when approvedSet your terms and prepare for trusted family bookings.
UbuntuCare carer supporting a child through creative play
Care is professional work. We help you show it. UbuntuCare is built around trust, cultural intelligence, clear standards, and practical training support.
The Journey

From application to launch-ready profile.

Every carer follows the same trust-first pathway, with extra steps depending on the type of care you provide.

1

Choose your pathway

Select whether you are joining as a babysitter, nanny, childminder, SEND carer, prenatal or postnatal worker, or event nanny.

2

Submit your application

Share your childcare background, languages, cultural strengths, availability, travel range, and the families you are best placed to support.

3

Complete verification

Prepare your ID, enhanced DBS pathway, references, safeguarding record, and any role-specific documents required for your profile.

4

Strengthen your training

Use Ubuntu Academy modules to close gaps, build specialist confidence, and make your profile easier for families to understand.

5

Set your working terms

Confirm your services, location, rate, schedule, languages, household preferences, SEND capability, and the kind of support you offer.

6

Match, book, and grow

Once approved and bookings are live, families can discover your profile, request care, and build repeat relationships with you.

Care Pathways

Find the route that matches the work you want to do.

Different roles have different regulatory and UbuntuCare requirements. We help you understand the right next step before your profile goes live.

Babysitter

Flexible

Occasional childcare for evenings, weekends, and ad-hoc family support in the family's home.

UbuntuCare baselineEnhanced DBS pathway, ID verification, two references, safeguarding, and a signed carer's pledge.
Good preparationPaediatric first aid, basic childcare, online safety, child development, and play-based activity training.

Nanny

In-home

Regular childcare in a family's home, including live-in, live-out, night nanny, or nanny-share arrangements.

Registration noteOfsted registration is voluntary for nannies, but it can help families access childcare support where eligible.
Good preparationFirst aid, safeguarding, childcare training, child development, positive behaviour, and reflective practice.

Childminder

Registered

Childcare from your own home or another domestic setting, usually supporting children from more than one family.

Registration noteYou must register with Ofsted or a childminder agency before providing this type of care.
Good preparationPaediatric first aid, safeguarding, health declaration, references, insurance, ICO readiness, EYFS, and business basics.

SEND Carer

Specialist

Support for children with autism, ADHD, physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory needs, or complex medical needs.

UbuntuCare baselineEnhanced DBS pathway, safeguarding, paediatric first aid, SEND awareness, and role-specific suitability review.
Good preparationBehaviour that challenges, visual communication, Makaton or PECS, autism, ADHD, trauma-informed care, and medication training where relevant.

Prenatal and Postnatal Support

Family support

Practical and emotional support before and after birth, including nursery setup, newborn care, feeding support, safe sleep, and overnight help.

UbuntuCare baselineEnhanced DBS pathway, safeguarding, practical experience or training, and clear boundaries for the support you provide.
Good preparationAntenatal care, newborn care, safe sleeping, breastfeeding support, maternal mental health, and cultural competence.

Event Nanny

Events

Temporary childcare for weddings, parties, corporate events, cultural gatherings, festivals, and family celebrations.

UbuntuCare baselineEnhanced DBS pathway, safeguarding, paediatric first aid, group-care experience, and event safeguarding brief.
Good preparationManaging groups, emergency first aid, engaging children through play, risk awareness, and cultural competence in event childcare.
Safety Standard

No shortcuts. No compromises.

UbuntuCare is being built around a clear safety promise. These checks help families trust your profile before any booking goes live.

Every approved carer prepares a trust pack.

The exact documents can vary by role, but our baseline is designed to make trust visible and professional.

  • Identity verification and right-to-work readiness where applicable.
  • Enhanced DBS pathway and update-service guidance where relevant.
  • Two references, with childcare references prioritised where available.
  • Safeguarding training and signed carer's pledge.
  • Role-specific first aid, training, insurance, and registration evidence where required.

Childminder readiness includes extra checks.

Childminders have a regulated pathway. UbuntuCare can help you organise the checklist, but registration decisions sit with Ofsted or a childminder agency.

  • Enhanced DBS checks for the childminder and relevant household members aged 16 or over.
  • Paediatric first aid, safeguarding, health declaration, and two references.
  • Home or premises suitability, EYFS understanding, risk assessment, and equipment readiness.
  • Public liability insurance, data protection readiness, and business setup documents.
  • Up to 12 weeks is a common registration processing window once the application is accepted.
Ubuntu Academy training and professional development for carers
Ubuntu Academy

Training that turns experience into visible trust.

Families do not just want availability. They want confidence. Ubuntu Academy helps you show your strengths, fill training gaps, and build a profile that explains what kind of care you can deliver.

  • Safeguarding and child protection
  • Paediatric first aid readiness
  • Child development and EYFS basics
  • SEND, autism, ADHD, and sensory needs
  • Positive behaviour support
  • Cultural competence in childcare
  • Newborn care and safe sleep
  • Business skills for childminders
Important Guidance

Registration rules depend on the care you provide.

This page is practical guidance, not legal advice. Ofsted, DBS, insurance, and childcare-support rules can change, and your exact duties, location, hours, ages, and setting may affect what applies. UbuntuCare will review your pathway during onboarding and expects carers to follow the current official guidance for their role.

GOV.UK nanny registration GOV.UK childminder registration Registration exemptions Ofsted nanny guidance
Questions

What carers usually ask before applying.

Do I need to be Ofsted registered before I apply?

No. You can apply first. Some pathways, especially childminding, require registration before you can provide that service. Nanny registration is generally voluntary. We will help you understand the right pathway during onboarding.

Can I join if I am still building my experience?

Yes, but your profile must be honest about your experience, training, and the ages or needs you are confident supporting. Ubuntu Academy can help you prepare for more advanced roles over time.

What makes UbuntuCare different for carers?

UbuntuCare is designed to value professional standards and cultural intelligence together. Your language, heritage, family experience, specialist training, and community understanding can all become part of your profile.

When do I start receiving bookings?

Bookings can only happen once the live booking system is active and your carer profile has passed the relevant checks. Early applicants can prepare their profile and documents ahead of launch.

Your care can become your professional pathway

Apply now and get launch-ready.

Start with your role, experience, languages, training, and availability. We will guide you through the right next steps.

Apply now Back to For Carers