Whats in this section?
Whats in this section?
What is Home Care?
For many people, it is vital to stay independent and at home in their own familiar surroundings near friends and family. Remaining independent may be very important to you, but it can mean you need a little extra help.
Home care or domiciliary care, is a flexible type of visiting care where a care worker visits you in your own home.
Carefully chosen home care can often be the perfect solution to getting a little help whilst retaining a good level of personal freedom.
Why choose Home Care?
Reasons for choosing home care can vary. For example, sometimes, after a stay in the hospital, someone might find they need some help while recuperating. Others can find that a long-term condition or disability means they need some help at home.
How you access care at home can also vary. For example, after a hospital stay, someone may carry out a situation assessment to see if this type of care plan might benefit you.
You or those close to you might notice changes in your ability to manage the day-to-day things like preparing meals or looking after yourself. If this happens, speak to a home care agency to discuss your specific requirements. Alternatively, you can contact Adult Social Care.
Councils must carry out a care needs assessment for anyone who might need help, the results of which can point you towards the right kind of help for you.
How Home Care can help you
Your local Adult Social Care Department can tailor the level of home care provided to meet your needs – ranging from visits once a day to more in-depth support. In addition, home care agencies can support personal care such as everyday daily tasks such as washing and dressing.
Even those with significant health conditions can get skilled personal care that enables them to stay in their home. Some agencies will provide ‘live-in’ care, where a care worker will stay with you at home to support you throughout the day and night.
Finding Home Care
Choosing homecare for yourself or a loved one is an important decision. Whether you need help with daily tasks, personal care, or more complex needs, it’s vital to find the right support.
Use our search tool to find homecare services near you. You can filter by location, care type, and CQC rating to narrow down your options.
When comparing services, consider:
- CQC rating – Has the service been rated Good or Outstanding?
- Staff and training – Are carers experienced, compassionate, and well-trained?
- Continuity of care – Will you see the same carers regularly?
- Costs and contracts – Are fees clear and is there flexibility in the support offered?
- Personalisation – Does the service tailor care to your individual needs and preferences?
Is Home Care regulated?
Homecare agencies that provide personal care
In England, Homecare agencies that provide personal care must be registered with and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). “Personal care” includes things like help with washing, dressing, toileting, and taking medication — anything that involves direct physical care or support with hygiene.
Homecare services that do not provide personal care
These services do not need to register with the CQC, because they aren’t carrying out “regulated activities” under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
These might offer things like:
- Companionship
- Housekeeping
- Meal preparation
- Shopping or social support
However, they might still be members of professional bodies like the Homecare Association, which promotes high standard, good practice, and guidance.
You might decide to employ a personal assistant to provide your care privately or have a member of your family who can provide continuous support for the level of care you need.
However, the benefits of using a regulated agency include:
- assessing your care needs and tailoring a plan to meet those needs;
- advertising, interviewing and screening suitability of workers;
- arranging necessary insurance cover;
- providing training and development for care workers;
- managing workers’ pay, including compliance with the National Minimum Wage;
- managing employment relationships, including sickness, absence and disciplinary matters; and
- managing health and safety issues.
Appropriate home care from a quality provider is a great way to retain your independence whilst getting the help you need to stay happy and safe.
Start your search to find home care providers that meet your requirements.
Live-in Care
If your loved one requires round-the-clock support and nursing care but would like to remain in their own home, Live-in care may be more appropriate.
Understandably, many would prefer to live in their own home than move into a care or nursing home. However, if your relative feels increasingly isolated or lonely, the local authority will consider this in addition to their physical needs; this could mean a care or nursing home may be the better option.
Live-in care typically offers short-term respite to carers who may want to have a holiday or need a break. However, live-in or private carers can also be helpful when an urgent need for care is placed upon families.
Hospital discharge also relies on the right amount of care and support in your loved one’s house.
In this regard, a live-in carer would help with recovery and rehabilitation. Live-in carers may also work alongside professionals in their own care in the community, but this may only be for a limited period.
Personal Assistants
What is a Personal Assistant (PA)? A personal assistant is someone employed directly by a person (or their representative) who needs care or support. They often help with:
- Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting).
- Domestic tasks (cooking, cleaning).
- Getting out and about (appointments, social activities).
- Anything tailored to the person’s individual needs.
Are PAs regulated by the CQC?
No. Because the individual employing them is not acting as a care provider (they’re receiving care, not running a service), PAs do not fall under CQC regulation — even if they provide personal care.
The person employing the PA becomes a legal employer and has responsibilities (e.g. payroll, insurance, employment rights). Many people use Direct Payments from their local authority, personal budgets, or their own money to employ a PA.
Shared Lives
The Shared Lives service offers long-term respite or day support for people either:
- within the Shared Lives Carer’s own family home; or
- in the service user’s home.
Service users can live with the family permanently or stay with them for short overnight breaks. Day support can even be for simply a few hours per week. The Shared Lives Scheme is usually available to any vulnerable adult over 18 who meets their local council’s eligibility criteria. See our article: ‘If you get a good family, it will change your life’, for first-hand accounts on the scheme from both the service user and carer.
You or someone close to you should contact your local council or adult social care provider if you would like to live in a Shared Lives home and be cared for by a Shared Lives carer.
Paying for Home Care
Information on what you can expect to pay and how charges are worked out is available through your local council. This information must be present when a needs assessment is carried out. In addition, the individual paying for all the benefits of care must provide written confirmation of how the charge is calculated after a financial assessment.
People with more than £23,250 in the capital, including savings, must pay the total cost of care. This is because the home’s value is not counted when working out charges for non-residential care. You should inform adult social care well in advance if your personal budget and savings will likely fall below this amount.
Government regulations cover financial assessments to ensure your finances are assessed consistently and transparently. This ensures people are only required to pay what they have been evaluated as being able to afford.
Adult Social Care can work with you to assess your finances and carry out a full benefits check. They can also assist you in claiming your full benefit entitlement.
You don’t have to contact the local council to arrange home care services; you can contact homecare providers directly.
For more information on paying for home care see paying for care.
Other ways to fund your personal care and support
If you do not qualify for a financial contribution from Adult Social Care, there are various ways in which you could consider paying for own carer, and support. It’s essential to seek independent financial advice when considering funding options for your own care.
Specialist care fee advisers are independent financial advisers focusing on care funding advice. Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), they take shared responsibility for the suitability of any product they recommend.
The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) aims to assist consumers in searching for accredited financial advisers specialising in financial needs in later life. Search its website, www.societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk/find-an-adviser, to find a SOLLA-accredited independent financial adviser.
The Money Advice Service is a free and impartial money advice service set up by the Government. It offers free and unbiased advice. Tel: 0300 500 5000 or web: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk