Questions families ask

LCH Care stands for Loving Carers Helpful. We are an introductory agency. We introduce you to self-employed carers who match your needs, and you choose who you want. We don't employ the carers, and we don't manage the care they give you.

No. The CQC does not require introductory agencies to register because we have no ongoing role in the personal care that carers provide after the introduction. The carer you choose is self-employed, and we don't supervise their work.

A homecare agency employs its carers, sends them to you, and manages them. In England it must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC); Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own care regulators. We introduce you to a carer, and the care arrangement is then between you and the carer. See introductory and managed care compared.

The carer is self-employed and works directly with you under the care agreement. Neither you nor LCH Care employs the carer. The agreement with the carer sets out the terms of the care arrangement.

We ask about your needs, routines, and preferences. We then send you profiles of suitable, available carers. You decide who you want, and nobody is placed with you without your agreement.

Yes. You can speak with the carer by phone or video call before you agree to the arrangement.

Before we introduce a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications.

For live-in care, usually one carer at a time, with a second carer covering breaks or rotations. For hourly care, we aim for consistency but can't promise the same person every visit.

Tell us and we'll introduce other carers. You can end the arrangement following the notice terms in your agreement.

They live in your home and help with things like personal care, meals, prompting medication, light housework, shopping, appointments, and company. Exact duties are agreed with you at the start.

Yes, they have their own bedroom. If your relative needs help several times a night, one carer can't safely cover both days and nights. We would suggest two carers or waking-night cover.

A private bedroom, access to a bathroom and kitchen, Wi-Fi if possible, and food while they work, or a food allowance if food is not provided. Carers also need rest, including a daily break, and their agreement will set this out.

Typically the household provides food for the carer. If you can't, you pay the carer a food allowance of £30 a week. No rent is charged, because the carer is working in your home. This is set out in the agreement.

Yes. Live-in care is booked for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Often yes, if both people's needs can be safely met by one carer. We'll talk it through.

A carer visits at agreed times to help with things like personal care, meals, housework, and getting out and about.

Yes, the minimum is 2 hours per visit.

We'll do our best. Urgent starts depend on carers being available in your area.

Hourly care costs £25 an hour and live-in care costs £1,100 a week. If two carers are needed, live-in care costs £1,800 a week and hourly care costs £60 an hour. You pay LCH Care, and LCH Care pays your self-employed carer. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts. See pricing.

No. LCH Care never charges carers a fee for finding them work.

LCH Care sends you an invoice each week, in advance, and you pay by bank transfer. LCH Care then pays your self-employed carer weekly by bank transfer.

Sometimes. Your council can carry out a free needs assessment, and may then assess what you can afford. NHS Continuing Healthcare is separate and covers care needed mainly because of health needs. You may also be able to claim Attendance Allowance. See our guide to paying for care at home.

For many families, yes. Live-in care with LCH Care costs £1,100 a week, and your loved one stays in their own home, keeps their routine and pets, and gets one-to-one support. Care home fees vary by area and type of home, so compare the fees near you.

It can also be good value for couples. A care home charges per person, while one live-in carer can often support both people.

Carers can prompt medication and help as agreed in your care arrangement. Anything beyond that, such as injections or complex clinical tasks, needs a suitably trained person. Tell us about all medication needs up front.

Some carers have experience of these conditions, and each carer's profile says what experience they have. We check what carers tell us about their experience and training.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Tell us about any concern about a carer and we'll stop introductions to that carer and report it to the police or local authority.

Let us know as soon as you can. We'll look for another suitable carer and send you their profile. You choose whether to go ahead with them. We'll work as quickly as we can, but we can't guarantee a replacement will be available straight away, especially at short notice.

Tell us, and we'll reply within 5 working days.

Only to arrange care and run our service. Health information is kept securely and is only shared with carers you agree to.