PRICE GUIDE · CARE & SUPPORT · 2026–2027
Disability Support Worker cost in the UK
£17–£38 per hour. Typically £27.
A disability support worker costs about £17–£38 an hour, typically £27. A self-employed personal assistant paid through direct payments sits at the cheaper end; an agency support worker, evenings and weekends, and London rates sit at the top.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does a disability support worker cost in the UK?
| Low end | £17 | a self-employed PA through direct payments |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £27 | what most people pay |
| High end | £38 | agency support at weekends in London |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the carers and care agencies near you.
What moves the price
- Agency or personal assistant — a support worker you employ directly costs far less than an agency one
- Direct payments — council rates for disability support workers set what many people can afford
- Complex needs — support with epilepsy, PEG feeding or behaviour needs extra training
- Hours — disability support worker shifts in the evening or at weekends cost more
- Driving — a support worker who drives to activities may add mileage and needs business insurance
- Region — disability support worker rates are highest in London and the South East
WHAT YOU GET
What a disability support worker visit includes
Takes: Usually shifts of two to eight hours, on a regular weekly pattern. Not included: Nursing tasks, therapy and overnight care are separate — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common disability support worker jobs
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Disability Support Worker near you, with prices shown
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Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
How to pay less
- Ask the council about direct payments so you can employ a disability support worker yourself
- Employing a personal assistant directly usually costs less than an agency disability support worker
- Share disability support worker hours at group activities where that suits the people involved
Before you book
- If you employ a disability support worker directly, arrange payroll, insurance and holiday pay
- Check an agency supplying disability support workers is registered with CQC, the Care Inspectorate, CIW or RQIA
- Ask for an enhanced DBS check in England or Wales, PVG in Scotland or AccessNI for any support worker
- Agree goals, tasks and boundaries for the disability support worker in a written support plan
Disability Support Worker cost: questions people ask
About £17–£38 an hour, with £27 a typical figure. A self-employed PA via direct payments is cheapest; agency workers at weekends in London are dearest.
Usually two to eight hours, depending on the support plan. Some people have several workers covering different days.
Yes. Councils across the UK offer direct payments after a needs assessment, so you can employ a personal assistant or buy agency support. Each council sets its own hourly rates.
A personal assistant employed directly by you does not need to register with the care regulator, but an agency providing personal care must.
Nursing procedures, therapy and overnight care are separate services. Each has its own guide and is priced separately.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, taken from published council direct payment rates and private home care rates. They give a national range, not a quote.
MORE GUIDES