Finding a private carer starts with understanding the type of support your loved one needs and deciding how much responsibility you want to take on yourself.
You can find a private carer through a fully managed care provider, an introductory service, a care job board or by advertising independently. These options work differently, particularly when it comes to recruitment, employment, training, cover and ongoing management.
Understanding these differences can help you choose an arrangement that is safe, suitable and manageable for your family.
What should you consider before finding a private carer?
Before looking for a carer, make a list of the support your loved one needs.
Consider:
- Personal care, such as washing, dressing and using the toilet
- Mobility and getting around the home
- Preparing meals and maintaining good nutrition
- Medication support
- Household tasks
- Companionship
- Attending appointments
- Going shopping or taking part in social activities
- Support during the night
- Specialist support for a health condition
- Whether care may need to increase as their needs change
It’s also important to consider what your loved one wants from their care. They may want to remain independent, continue living at home, maintain particular routines or stay involved in hobbies and social activities.
Understanding these preferences will help you identify the type of care and carer that could be suitable.
What types of private home care are available?
Private home care can take several forms. The right option depends on how much support your loved one needs and when they need it.
Visiting care
A visiting carer comes to your loved one’s home for an agreed period, which may be once a day or several times a day.
Visiting care can help with personal care, meals, medication routines, household tasks, companionship and other everyday activities.
Find out more about visiting care.
Live-in care
A live-in carer lives in your loved one’s home and provides support throughout the day, with an overnight presence.
This can be suitable for someone who needs regular support but wants to remain living in familiar surroundings.
Find out more about live-in care.
Overnight care
Overnight care can provide support when your loved one needs assistance or reassurance during the night.
The exact arrangement depends on whether they need someone present overnight or require active support at particular times.
Find out more about overnight care.
Specialist care
Some people need support because of a particular health condition or more complex care requirements. This could include dementia care, complex care, palliative care or post-operative care.
A care provider should assess your loved one’s individual needs rather than assuming that one type of care will be suitable for everyone.
Should you hire a carer privately or use a care provider?
One of the biggest decisions is whether you want to employ or manage a carer yourself or use a provider that manages the care arrangement for you.
There are three main approaches to consider:
- A fully managed care provider recruits, employs and manages carers and takes responsibility for the ongoing care arrangement.
- An introductory service introduces you to a carer, but you or your loved one generally take on responsibility for employing and managing them.
- Hiring a carer independently means finding and arranging care directly, which can leave you responsible for recruitment, checks, contracts, payment and cover.
The responsibilities vary between providers, so always establish exactly what is and is not included before agreeing to an arrangement.
What is a fully managed care service?
With a fully managed care service, the care provider takes responsibility for arranging and managing the care.
This can include:
- Recruiting carers
- Carrying out appropriate pre-employment checks
- Providing training and supervision
- Creating and reviewing care plans
- Arranging cover if a carer is unavailable
- Monitoring the quality of care
- Managing concerns or changes in care needs
This can reduce the administrative responsibility placed on you and your loved one.
If the provider delivers regulated activities, check that it is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regulates health and social care services in England.
What is an introductory care service?
An introductory service generally introduces a carer to the person looking for care, rather than providing and managing the care itself.
The exact arrangement will depend on the service, but you may be responsible for:
- Employing or contracting with the carer
- Agreeing terms and responsibilities
- Managing the carer’s work
- Arranging holiday and sickness cover
- Handling payments
- Addressing concerns about the care provided
Before choosing an introductory service, make sure you understand which responsibilities remain with you.
You can read more about the difference between introductory and fully managed care services.
Can you find a private carer through a job board or social media?
You can advertise for or search for carers through online job boards, social media and other private advertising channels.
However, finding someone yourself means you need to establish that they are suitable and safe to work with your loved one.
Depending on the arrangement, this may include checking:
- Identity and employment history
- References
- DBS status
- Relevant qualifications and training
- Previous care experience
- Experience with your loved one’s particular needs
- Right to work
- Insurance, where relevant
- Availability and holiday arrangements
You will also need to establish who is responsible for employing or contracting with the carer and arranging cover if they cannot work.
If you’re unsure about these responsibilities, professional advice may be appropriate before entering into an arrangement.
What checks should you make before hiring a private carer?
The checks you need to make depend on how the carer is engaged and who is responsible for their employment.
Ask the carer or provider about:
DBS checks – Find out whether the appropriate DBS check has been completed and who arranged it. A DBS check provides information about a person’s criminal record and is one part of safer recruitment, rather than a guarantee that someone is suitable for a particular care role.
References – Ask for relevant references and, where appropriate, verify them.
Training and qualifications – Find out what training the carer has completed and whether it’s relevant to your loved one’s needs. If your loved one has specialist requirements, ask specifically about the carer’s experience and training in that area.
Experience – Previous experience can be useful, but the most relevant experience depends on your loved one’s circumstances. For example, someone supporting a person living with dementia may need an understanding of how dementia can affect communication, behaviour and everyday routines.
Insurance and employment arrangements – If you’re hiring someone directly or engaging a self-employed carer, establish what insurance and contractual arrangements are in place and what your responsibilities will be. If you use a fully managed provider, ask what responsibilities the provider takes on.
What questions should you ask a private carer?
Whether you’re speaking to an individual carer or a care provider, asking specific questions can help you understand whether the arrangement is suitable.
You could ask:
- What experience do you have with my loved one’s care needs?
- What training have you completed?
- What support can you provide?
- How would you respond if my loved one’s needs changed?
- What would you do if there was an emergency?
- What are your working hours and availability?
- Who provides cover if you are ill or take a holiday?
- Are you comfortable with pets, if relevant?
- Can you help with cooking and household tasks?
- How do you support someone’s independence?
- How are concerns or changes in health reported?
- Who is responsible for managing the care arrangement?
It’s also worth asking questions about your loved one’s preferences. Personality and lifestyle can be important when someone will spend a significant amount of time with their carer.
How important is matching a carer to your loved one?
Care is personal, particularly when someone is receiving support in their own home.
A good match should consider your loved one’s care needs alongside their personality, interests, routines and preferences.
For example, someone who enjoys gardening may appreciate a carer who is happy to spend time in the garden with them, while someone who values quiet routines may prefer a different personality.
At Trinity Homecare, carer matching considers the individual as a whole rather than focusing only on their care requirements.
What are the benefits of using a fully managed care provider?
Using a fully managed provider can reduce the amount of responsibility placed on you and your loved one.
Depending on the provider, this can mean the organisation handles:
- Recruitment and safer recruitment checks
- Care assessments and care planning
- Carer training and supervision
- Scheduling and ongoing management
- Holiday and sickness cover
- Reviews of the care provided
- Changes to the care plan
- Communication with family members
This can be particularly useful if you are already balancing work, family responsibilities and supporting your loved one.
How much does private home care cost?
The cost of private home care depends on several factors, including:
- The type of care required
- How many hours of support are needed
- Whether care is provided during the day or overnight
- Whether your loved one needs specialist care
- Whether one or two people are receiving care
- The provider and location
A short visiting care package will generally involve a different cost structure from live-in care.
Before agreeing to care, ask for a clear explanation of what is included in the fees and whether there are additional charges.
You can read more about the cost of live-in care if you are considering a live-in arrangement.
How do you arrange private care with Trinity Homecare?
Trinity Homecare provides fully managed care in the home, including visiting care and live-in care.
The process starts with a conversation about your loved one’s needs, preferences and circumstances. A care assessment can then help establish the appropriate level of support and inform their care plan.
From there, Trinity can arrange a suitable carer and manage the ongoing care arrangement.
Trinity Homecare is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
If you are considering private care, you can contact Trinity Homecare to discuss your loved one’s needs and the available options.
Frequently asked questions about finding a private carer
How do I find a private carer for an elderly parent?
Start by identifying your parent’s care needs and deciding whether you want to manage the carer yourself or use a fully managed care provider. You can find carers through care providers, introductory services, job boards or private advertising, but the checks and responsibilities involved vary between these options.
What should I check before hiring a private carer?
Check the carer’s identity, references, relevant experience, training and DBS status, and establish their availability and arrangements for sickness and holiday cover. You should also understand who is responsible for employing and managing the carer.
Is it better to use a private carer or a care agency?
There is no single option that is right for every family. A private arrangement can give you more direct control, while a fully managed care provider can take responsibility for recruitment, care planning, supervision and cover.
Are private carers DBS checked?
This depends on how the carer is recruited and who arranges their checks. If you are hiring a carer yourself, you should establish what checks have been completed rather than assuming they have been carried out.
Can I find a private carer for someone with dementia?
Yes, but it is important to consider the person’s specific needs and look for a carer or provider with relevant dementia experience and training. Dementia care at home can provide tailored support while allowing someone to remain in familiar surroundings.
