HOW TO HIRE · CARE & SUPPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
Companionship alone is not regulated personal care, but add personal care and registration applies. Here is how to tell and what to ask.
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
BEFORE YOU BOOK
In England only personal care — washing, bathing, dressing, using the toilet — is a regulated activity. An agency whose companion carer visits involve none of it does not have to be CQC-registered; if visits include any personal care, it must be. Many agencies offering this are registered anyway, which gives you an inspection report to read.
Search the agency on CQC's site, open the location that runs your care, check 'personal care' is listed and read the latest rating. cqc.org.uk →
Wales: a domiciliary support service must register with Care Inspectorate Wales under Wales's 2016 social care regulation Act, unless an exemption applies, such as care for four or fewer named people at a time. Scotland: a care at home service may not operate unless registered with the Care Inspectorate. Northern Ireland: the RQIA registers domiciliary care agencies under the Domiciliary Care Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Wales: CIW's service directory. Scotland: the Care Inspectorate's find-care directory, with grades. Northern Ireland: RQIA's register of domiciliary care agencies. careinspectorate.scot →
Care work with adults can get the enhanced DBS check with the adults' barred list in England and Wales, or the AccessNI equivalent in Northern Ireland; in Scotland a companion carer in a regulated role must be a PVG scheme member. You cannot apply for a DBS check on a self-employed carer yourself — they apply and show you the certificate, which has no official expiry date.
Ask to see the companion carer's certificate or PVG proof and read when it was issued. gov.uk →
An agency that only introduces a companion carer and has no ongoing control is outside CQC registration in England and CIW registration in Wales, so no regulator inspects the care. If you hire and pay a companion carer directly — including with direct payments — gov.uk says you are usually their employer: a contract, payslips, at least the National Minimum Wage, employers' liability insurance and payroll.
Ask in writing whether the agency employs and supervises the carer or only introduces them, and who you pay. gov.uk →
Companionship is exempt from VAT only when a charity, a public body or a provider registered with CQC (England), CIW (Wales), the Care Inspectorate (Scotland) or RQIA (Northern Ireland) supplies it under the person's own care plan; from anyone else it is standard-rated. A self-employed companion carer booked by the hour is not a regulated provider, so the exemption does not apply to them — but an individual earning under £90,000 is not VAT-registered, does not charge VAT and has no VAT number to give.
Ask the companion carer whether they are VAT-registered; if a registered agency sends them, look the agency up on its regulator's website before the first visit. gov.uk →
A good answer: A clear answer, written in the plan.
A good answer: Yes, or why it does not need to be.
A good answer: Interests, language, personality.
A good answer: Receipts and a record.
A good answer: Yes, if driving.
A good answer: DBS with adults' barred list, PVG or AccessNI.
A good answer: Call family or the GP and record it.
Companion care is charged by the hour, with mileage and outing costs on top. Companion Care price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
AFTER
MONEY BACK
Help towards the cost of care, by nation. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment do not depend on having a carer; direct payments follow a care needs assessment.
Who: people at State Pension age or older whose disability or health condition means they need someone to help look after them
Who: people at State Pension age or over who have needed help with personal care for six months
Who: people at State Pension age with care needs from a disability or long-term condition
Who: people aged 16 or over assessed as needing care and support, carers, disabled parents and older people needing community care
Who: people assessed as needing social services help, including carers and parents of disabled children
Schemes change. The amounts above were checked on the dates shown; the official page is the one that counts.
Not for companionship alone in England, and support-only services are outside CIW registration in Wales. If visits include personal care, the provider must be registered with the regulator for your nation.
Ask for DBS with the adults' barred list (England, Wales), AccessNI (Northern Ireland) or PVG (Scotland).
You can spend it as you choose; it does not depend on having a carer.
£22 to £33 an hour, typically around £28. Outings add mileage and expenses. Open the companion care price guide for the detail, then search your town above and agree the rate per hour, the minimum visit and the list of what you want done.
Welfare services from a registered provider are exempt under VAT Notice 701/2; ask an unregistered provider whether VAT is added.
Complain in writing; the provider owes reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
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