Starting university, building a career, moving into your own place or adjusting to life after an injury: your plans come first. Live-in care for younger adults means having a carefully matched carer live in your home and support you in the ways you’ve agreed, leaving you with more time and energy for the things you want to do.
By “younger adults”, we mean adults aged 18 to 65, although support doesn’t stop at 65. Trinity Homecare provides live-in care to people of all ages across England, subject to assessment and availability.
What live-in support looks like
Your carer has their own bedroom in your home. Your support plan might include help with personal care, meals, household tasks and travel. It could also mean support at the gym, a gig or a night out, with your carer stepping back when you don’t need their help.
Live-in care doesn’t mean one person is awake around the clock. Your carer has a daily off-duty break and needs time to sleep. Occasional night-time help may be possible as part of your plan.
If you need regular support overnight, help during breaks or two carers to help you move safely, we’ll plan additional support. If you only need help at set times, visiting care may be a better option.
Carer, support worker or PA: You choose the words
The term “carer” doesn’t suit everyone. If you’d rather say support worker, personal assistant or PA, tell us at your assessment so we can record your preference and share it with your care team. Whatever term you prefer, the person supporting you is employed, trained and supervised by Trinity.
Matched on more than care needs
You need someone with the right skills who you also feel comfortable living with. Through our CareMatch Programme, we start with the experience and skills needed to support you, then look at personality, shared interests and practical preferences, such as whether someone drives or cooks the food you like. Tell us what matters to you and we’ll take it into account when looking for a match.
You’ll see a profile of the person we suggest before anyone arrives. If the match doesn’t feel right, tell your care manager. They’ll look at what needs to change, including whether a different match would be more suitable.
Support with study and work
Depending on what’s agreed in your plan, and with your university or employer, your carer can:
- Get you to lectures, placements or work, and provide personal care while you’re there
- Help with practical study tasks, such as library trips and setting up equipment
- Help with the practical side of job applications and interviews
- Come to Freshers’ Week, society events and work socials
This is practical support rather than tutoring or careers advice. Disabled Students’ Allowance can help with eligible disability-related study costs, such as specialist note-taking. It doesn’t cover costs you’d have even if you weren’t studying, so personal care needs to be arranged separately.
If you’re in paid work, or due to start or return within 12 weeks, Access to Work may help with eligible support, equipment or travel costs. Communication support may also be available for job interviews. You need to apply separately, before the interview.
Moving from children’s to adult services
The move to adult services usually happens from age 18. As you approach 18, you can ask your council for a needs assessment. Children’s services you already receive should continue while you’re being assessed. NICE recommends a named worker to help coordinate the move, so ask your current team who that could be.
Trinity’s support can begin at 18. If you’re younger, raise care at home as part of your transition planning.
Conditions and needs we support
We support younger adults with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and muscular dystrophy. We also support autistic people, those with a learning disability or Down’s syndrome, and people with mental health conditions. Whether we’re the right fit depends on your individual needs, not your diagnosis alone.
For complex care at home, your plan sets out the health-related tasks your carer is trained and competent to do, who provides clinical oversight and who to contact if your needs change.
Your carer provides care and practical support rather than registered nursing care, and can work alongside your healthcare team where needed. Live-in care doesn’t replace urgent mental health services.
Sarah’s story
In her story for Trinity, Sarah, who has cerebral palsy, described life in her own flat with live-in support. She first asked for someone who could drive.
The team also looked for someone who shared her interests and sense of adventure, including painting classes, swimming, bowling, lunches with friends and travel abroad, with a ski trip planned at the time. Sarah said: “Mum always told me to build a big life for myself.”
The team behind your live-in carer
Your care manager is your main contact. They’ll carry out your assessment, write your support plan with you, arrange cover when your carer is away and review things as life changes.
You can view your care records in the TrinityConnect app, which your Trinity care team also uses. Family members or other supporters get access only at your request and with your consent.
Trinity Homecare is rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission and its registration covers adults under 65. Inspectors found that people helped shape their own care and could choose who supported them.
For parents, family members and supporters
You’re an important part of the conversation. We take our lead from the person receiving care: what they want, who they’d like involved and what they’re happy for us to share. Where someone can’t make a particular decision, even with support, it’s made in their best interests under the Mental Capacity Act. Their wishes must be considered, and they should be involved as much as possible.
Funding and cost
Live-in care is priced weekly. Our free Trinity assessment helps us understand your needs and provide a personalised quote. Council or NHS funding involves separate assessments:
- Council funding: A council needs assessment is free. If you have eligible needs, a financial assessment follows, based on your income and savings, not your parents’. Earnings from work aren’t counted.
- Direct payments: These let you receive money from your personal budget and arrange support in line with the care and support plan agreed with your council. They aren’t a separate source of funding.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: If an NHS assessment finds you have a primary health need, NHS Continuing Healthcare can fund an agreed package of health and social care, including at home. It isn’t means-tested, and eligibility depends on assessed needs rather than a particular diagnosis.
None is automatic, and rules differ outside England.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a spare room?
Yes, your live-in carer needs their own bedroom. In halls or a shared house, raise this early with your university or landlord.
Should I employ someone directly or use a managed service?
Employing someone directly gives you more responsibility for managing your support and can cost less, but you become an employer, handling tax, pensions and cover. With Trinity, recruitment, training, supervision and cover are managed for you, which can cost more. Direct payments can help fund either route if your council-agreed plan and budget allow.
Talk to us about support that fits your plans
A first conversation is confidential and doesn’t commit you to anything. We’ll talk through what you want support with and whether live-in care fits. If you’d like to go further, a free assessment at home comes next, followed by a support plan, quote and suggested match. Call 0207 183 4884 or enquire online.
