Live In Care - locally owned and managed or introduction agency
The growth in providers of Live In Care has been rapid, especially post - Covid, so it can be confusing to understand. Here we explain the different types of providers.
What is different about Live In Care from Home Instead?
Peace of mind
Home Instead is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission an award achieved by only 3% of providers. This is a result of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement built on over 12 years of experience and the foundation of a world-wide franchise network. Our national office in Warrington puts us at the leading edge of the care sector but as a franchise we are small enough to care personally about every one of the clients in our Stourbridge, Hagley and Halesowen territory.
Keeping you safe
Safety is our priority. In addition to training our care professionals in all of the usual health and safety measures, we offer exercise in the home to improve balance, flexibility, strength and coordination to reduce the risk of falls and other accidents. Did you know that people in residential care homes are 3 times more likely to experience a fall*? If a fall does happen, in many cases our emergency response team can get you back on your feet using our specialist Raizer Chair, avoiding the need to wait for an ambulance.
*National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Staying in control
Our experienced office team will consult with you from the beginning to establish exactly what you need and want from your Live In Care Professional, allowing you to make the decisions and choices that will help you to live your own way and stay independent in your own home. We will be in constant communication to make sure that you are happy and to make any changes that you need. The Home Instead team is used to going the extra mile and always finding a way to provide the service and support that you choose.
| Locally owned and fully managed Live In Care | Live In Care introduction agencies |
| • Regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission. | • As the agency is not providing the service, they are not regulated or inspected. |
| • The company is fully accountable for the quality of care. | • The agency cannot be held to account for the quality of care given by the carer. |
| • Care Professionals are fully employed with full employment rights. | • Carers should declare themselves as self-employed. Beware that the family can legally become the employer. |
| • National Insurance, pension and holiday pay are included and paid by the company. | • National insurance, pension and annual leave are usually not included. In some cases, the family could be liable. |
| • The company is responsible for ongoing training and support for the Care Professional. | • The agency may set expectations for carers but without providing training. |
| • The company has all the usual employer’s responsibilities regarding conduct of Care Professionals. | • Introduction agencies do not have employer’s responsibilities or sanctions regarding the conduct of carers. |
| • A nominated manager forms a permanent point of contact from initial assessment to daily monitoring. | • Assessments are not always face to face and there is no local team for daily support. |
| • Knowledgeable and experienced owners, managers and full support team are based in your local office which you can visit with questions at any time. | • Introduction agencies usually work remotely or from a single national office. |
| • The company is contracted to provide a service, so if the carer becomes sick the company will find a replacement. | • If a carer becomes sick the family must find a replacement or provide cover themselves. |
| • Home Instead is built on a long history of high-quality, award-winning relationship-led care. | • It is your own responsibility to check the history and experience of the carer who will provide the service. |