HOW TO HIRE · CARE & SUPPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
Managed live-in care is regulated in every UK nation; introductory agencies are not. Here is how to tell, what to ask and what the price covers.
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 live-in 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 live-in 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 live-in carer's certificate or PVG proof and read when it was issued. gov.uk →
An agency that only introduces a live-in 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 live-in 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 →
Live-in care is exempt from VAT when it comes from a charity, a public body or a managed service registered with CQC (England), CIW (Wales), the Care Inspectorate (Scotland) or RQIA (Northern Ireland), under a care plan; from anyone else it is standard-rated at 20%. A business with VAT taxable turnover over £90,000 has to register, and must show VAT as its own line where it charges it.
Ask for the VAT number, whether the agency is managed or introductory, and whether VAT applies to the introduction fee. gov.uk →
A good answer: A clear written answer; managed means registered and supervised.
A good answer: Agreed daily breaks and how they are covered.
A good answer: Occasional waking included, or a second carer for waking nights.
A good answer: A handover, and notice of the next carer.
A good answer: Written down.
A good answer: DBS with the adults' barred list, PVG or AccessNI.
A good answer: A named manager, day and night.
Live-in care is priced by the week, with extra for complex needs, couples or waking nights. Live-In Carer price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
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Or post the job free and let them come to you.
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.
A managed service giving personal care does, with the regulator for your nation. An introductory agency with no ongoing control is outside CQC and CIW registration.
Ask for DBS with the adults' barred list (England, Wales), AccessNI (Northern Ireland) or PVG (Scotland).
Attendance Allowance (PADP in Scotland) and direct payments after an assessment.
£1,200 to £2,000 a week, typically around £1,610. Couples, complex needs and waking nights push the weekly cost up. Our live-in carer price guide explains the range; searching your town above shows live-in carers who cover it.
Not by a registered provider — VAT Notice 701/2; check how an introductory agency's fee is taxed.
Complain to the agency in writing and tell the regulator; the agency owes reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
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