HOW TO HIRE · CARE & SUPPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
A home care agency giving personal care must be registered in every UK nation, each with its own regulator. Here is the check, what to ask, and the help with costs.
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
BEFORE YOU BOOK
In England, help with washing, bathing, dressing or using the toilet, given at home to someone who cannot manage it because of age, illness or disability, is the regulated activity of personal care. An agency sending a domiciliary carer to do it must be registered with CQC for that activity; one that says it has applied is not yet registered.
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 domiciliary 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 domiciliary carer's certificate or PVG proof and read when it was issued. gov.uk →
An agency that only introduces a domiciliary 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 domiciliary 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 →
Home care is exempt from VAT when a charity, a public body or an agency registered with CQC (England), CIW (Wales), the Care Inspectorate (Scotland) or RQIA (Northern Ireland) provides it under the person's care plan; a supplier without that status charges the standard rate of 20%. Any domiciliary care business with VAT taxable turnover over £90,000 must register for VAT, and anything it sells outside the exemption must carry VAT shown as its own line.
Ask the agency for its VAT number and its regulator registration, and check the invoice shows no VAT on the care itself. gov.uk →
A good answer: CQC, CIW, the Care Inspectorate or RQIA, with a rating or grades the domiciliary care agency shows you.
A good answer: 'We employ, train and supervise them' — or a clear explanation of what an introduction means for you.
A good answer: A small regular team, and notice of any change.
A good answer: The visit length is time with your relative, not driving.
A good answer: A phone call, cover arranged, and how missed visits are recorded.
A good answer: Induction, moving and handling, medication training, and the criminal record check for your nation.
A good answer: What is agreed in the care plan, recorded on a chart.
A good answer: A named manager and a written complaints process.
Domiciliary care is charged by the hour, with higher rates for evenings, weekends and bank holidays and minimum visit lengths. Domiciliary 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.
Yes, if it gives personal care: with CQC in England, Care Inspectorate Wales, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland or the RQIA in Northern Ireland, each with its own exemptions.
Care work with adults can get the enhanced DBS check with the adults' barred list in England and Wales or the AccessNI equivalent; in Scotland carers in regulated roles must be PVG members.
Not from a provider registered with CQC, CIW, the Care Inspectorate or RQIA — that care is exempt (VAT Notice 701/2).
£26 to £38 an hour, typically around £33. Evening, weekend and bank holiday visits cost more, and short visits can carry a surcharge. The domiciliary care price guide breaks the range down, and the search above lists domiciliary carers near you with their prices.
Attendance Allowance (Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland) for people over State Pension age with care needs, and direct payments after a council or Trust assessment.
Complain to the agency in writing; it owes reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. You can also tell the regulator for your nation.
MORE GUIDES
