Safety for Your Family

We know that hiring a caregiver is a big step, and with care we can take the worry out of bringing someone new into your home.

3 Steps to Hiring Safely

As part of our Safety Pledge, Care.com takes a number of steps behind the scenes to promote safe interactions and engagements within the community. When you’re looking to hire a caregiver for your loved one, here are recommended steps for you to take for added peace of mind.

Get Acquainted

Use Care.com’s messaging system to get to know your top candidates and/or possible matches; this way you can protect your privacy and avoid sharing your contact info before you’re ready. Communicating through Care.com also allows our internal safety processes to help identify and/or interrupt delivery of improper or scam content.
Do phone or video interviews before meeting in person – regardless of whether it’s a one-time or long-term job.
For recurring care jobs, meet with your favorites in person before making a decision.

Get Comfortable

Get a sense of their past by doing an online search using the sitter’s full name and consider checking common social media or networking platforms. Search the caregiver’s address online if care will take place in their home.
Then, run your own background check, which you can buy on Care.com. While all providers have gone through the CareCheck process, running your own background check will ensure you get a copy of the full report to review and apply your own hiring standards. Plus, you can get access to additional records not included in CareCheck, like driving records. Background checks can take a few days, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
If you’re booking one-time care, allow some time at the start of the booking to make sure you’re comfortable with the caregiver and observe their behavior before you leave.

Stay Alert

For recurring care, drop in unexpectedly and do online searches regularly.
Ask neighbors for feedback and trust your instincts.
If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Report a safety concern or call 911 if it is an emergency.