Some people need two or more carers at the same time. The Carers required field on a shift lets you build these double-up (2:1) — or 3:1 and beyond — shifts in one step.
How the linked slots work
When you set Carers required to 2 or more, the rota creates that many linked slots covering the same time. If you chose a carer in Assigned to, they fill the first slot; the remaining slots are created as open shifts ready to be filled. Each slot behaves like a normal shift — you can assign it, let a carer claim it, drag it, or arrange cover for it independently.
Spotting a double-up
Double-up shifts carry a small N:1 badge on the card (for example 2:1) so they're easy to recognise on the grid. The open slots show up in the Open shifts lane until they're filled.
Changing how many carers are needed
Reopen any slot to adjust Carers required. Increasing it adds more open slots; you can only reduce the number by removing slots that are still empty, so you never accidentally drop a carer who's already assigned.
How cost and hours count
Each carer's slot counts in its own right. A two-hour 2:1 shift is two carer-hours, not one — so the week's hours and labour cost in the cost bar reflect every slot. Time and attendance, timesheets and pay are all worked out per carer.
- 1Open the area's **Rota** tab and start a new shift in **Week** view.
- 2Set the **Date**, **Start**, **End** and any **Break (m)** as normal.
- 3In **Carers required (e.g. 2 for 2:1)**, enter how many carers the shift needs.
- 4Optionally pick a carer in **Assigned to** to fill the first slot — the rest are created as open.
- 5Click **Add shift**, then assign or let staff claim the remaining open slots.
- Fill the busy slots first, then leave the rest open for the team to claim.
- Editing a shared detail (like the time) on one slot updates the whole linked group together.