HOW TO HIRE · CARE & SUPPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
Palliative care at home is regulated in every UK nation, and nursing needs an NMC-registered nurse. Here are the checks and what to ask.
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 palliative carer to do it must be registered with CQC for that activity; one that says it has applied is not yet registered. An agency that only introduces a palliative 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 palliative 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.
Search the agency on CQC's site, open the location that runs your care, check 'personal care' is listed and read the latest rating. Ask in writing whether the agency employs and supervises the carer or only introduces them, and who you pay. 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 palliative 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 palliative carer's certificate or PVG proof and read when it was issued. gov.uk →
Clinical nursing at the end of life — injections, syringe drivers — is a nurse's job; nurses must be on the NMC register to practise, and a registrant gives you their PIN if asked.
If a nurse is part of the care, ask for the NMC PIN and search the NMC register. nmc.org.uk →
End-of-life care at home is exempt from VAT when it comes from a charity, a public body or a provider registered with CQC (England), CIW (Wales), the Care Inspectorate (Scotland) or RQIA (Northern Ireland), under the person's care plan; anyone else charges the standard rate of 20% if registered. A care agency or charity with VAT taxable turnover over £90,000 is VAT-registered, and anything it charges VAT on must appear as a separate line.
Ask for the provider's VAT number and confirm the care visits carry no VAT. gov.uk →
A good answer: Named training, refreshed, with experience of working alongside hospice teams.
A good answer: Following their plan, recording changes and calling them promptly.
A good answer: Only a nurse on the NMC register — never a care worker.
A good answer: Yes, and how fast.
A good answer: Time to rest, and someone with them in hard moments.
A good answer: A clear plan agreed in advance, including who to call.
A good answer: As far as possible.
Palliative care at home is charged by the hour, rising to nights or round-the-clock care in the final weeks. Palliative 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 the regulator for your nation.
Clinical tasks such as injections are for a nurse on the NMC register; carers give comfort care and follow the nurses' plan.
Attendance Allowance (or Pension Age Disability Payment in Scotland), with faster rules at the end of life, and direct payments.
£25 to £40 an hour, typically around £34. Nights and short-notice increases cost more. For the detail, open the palliative care price guide; for real quotes, put your town in the search above.
Not by a registered provider — VAT Notice 701/2.
Raise it with the agency in writing and the regulator; the agency owes reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
MORE GUIDES
