HOW TO HIRE · CARE & SUPPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
Shopping help is not regulated on its own. Here are the checks that matter — vetting, money and insurance — 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 shopping assistant 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 shopping assistant 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 shopping assistant's certificate or PVG proof and read when it was issued. gov.uk →
An agency that only introduces a shopping assistant 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 shopping assistant 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 →
Shopping help is exempt from VAT only when a charity, a public body or a regulated care provider does it for an elderly, ill or disabled person assessed as unable to do the shopping safely themselves; in every other case it is standard-rated at 20%. A provider with VAT taxable turnover above £90,000 must register and show VAT as its own line where it charges it.
Ask for the VAT number and whether the errands are invoiced as exempt welfare help or with VAT. gov.uk →
A good answer: Receipts, change counted, a record.
A good answer: Yes, if the shopping assistant drives.
A good answer: Yes, or why not.
A good answer: Yes, with the person's consent.
A good answer: DBS with adults' barred list, PVG or AccessNI.
A good answer: Yes, with permission.
A good answer: Call and agree a swap.
Shopping assistance is priced per visit or trip; the shopping and mileage are extra. Shopping Assistance 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.
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 shopping alone. 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).
The person — separately from the visit fee, with receipts.
£23 to £38 a visit, typically around £32. Mileage and longer trips add to the price. The shopping assistance price guide breaks the range down, and the search above lists shopping assistants near you with their prices.
Ask; welfare services from a registered provider are exempt under VAT Notice 701/2.
Raise it in writing at once, and with the police if theft is suspected; the provider owes reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
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