HOW TO HIRE · CARE & SUPPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
Respite care at home is regulated in every UK nation. Here is the check, what to hand over, 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 respite 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 respite 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 respite carer's certificate or PVG proof and read when it was issued. gov.uk →
An agency that only introduces a respite 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 respite 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 →
Respite care is exempt from VAT only when it is provided by a charity, a public body or a care provider registered with CQC (England), CIW (Wales), the Care Inspectorate (Scotland) or RQIA (Northern Ireland), under a care plan for the person cared for; other respite is standard-rated. A respite carer who works for themselves is not state-regulated and falls outside the exemption, but with income below £90,000 they are not VAT-registered, charge no VAT and have no VAT number.
Ask the respite carer whether their price is the full price with no VAT on top, and whether you are booking them directly or through an agency. gov.uk →
A good answer: Yes, with the regulator and latest report — so the respite carer is supervised.
A good answer: Yes, an introduction visit.
A good answer: Yes, from the written notes.
A good answer: Agreed contact plan.
A good answer: Personal care, meals, medicines, company.
A good answer: Named cover.
A good answer: DBS with the adults' barred list, PVG or AccessNI.
Respite care is charged by the hour, or by the day or week for live-in respite. Respite 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.
If it gives personal care, yes — with the regulator for your nation.
Ask for DBS with the adults' barred list (England, Wales), AccessNI (Northern Ireland) or PVG (Scotland).
Ask the council or Trust about a carer's assessment and direct payments; Attendance Allowance may also help.
£26 to £38 an hour, typically around £34. Overnight and live-in respite cost more than hourly visits. Read the respite care price guide for the factors, then search above to see respite carers in your area.
Not by a registered provider — VAT Notice 701/2.
Complain in writing and tell the regulator; the agency owes reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
MORE GUIDES
