How to find a weekly carer
Whether you need a carer for a few visits a week or someone to live in, finding the right person follows the same steps. Here is how to do it, what to check, and how weekly care works with LCH Care.
Step 1: write down the help needed
- Personal care: washing, dressing, toileting
- Meals, drinks and medication reminders
- Moving about, and any equipment such as a hoist
- Nights: how often help is needed after bedtime
- Health conditions, for example dementia or diabetes
- Housework, shopping and appointments
- What matters to the person: routines, interests, pets, faith and language
A free needs assessment from the council helps, even if you plan to arrange and pay for care yourself, because it sets out the help needed in writing.
Step 2: choose hourly visits or live-in care
Hourly care suits help at set times of day, from 2 hours a visit. Live-in care suits someone who needs support through the day, from a minimum of 2 weeks. If nights are the problem, look at overnight care. At about 44 hours a week, live-in care becomes better value than visits. See how many hours of care are needed.
Step 3: choose how to find the carer
There are three main routes. Each one splits the work and the responsibility differently.
| Question | Introductory agency (LCH Care) | Managed care agency | Employing a carer yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who chooses the carer | You choose from matched profiles, after speaking to them | The agency usually assigns the carer | You find and choose the carer |
| Who checks the carer | The agency, before any introduction | The agency | You do the checks yourself |
| Who employs the carer | Nobody: the carer is self-employed | The agency | Usually you, with the legal duties of an employer |
| Who manages the care | You and your carer | The agency | You |
| Cover for illness and holidays | Ask the agency to find another suitable carer | The agency arranges cover | You arrange cover |
The NHS notes that if you employ a carer yourself, you have the legal responsibilities of an employer, including arranging cover for illness and holidays (NHS homecare guide). Compare the agency models in introductory or managed care.
Step 4: check the carer
Whichever route you choose, make sure these are checked: identity, the right to work in the UK, an Enhanced DBS certificate, references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Self-employed carers should also hold their own public liability insurance.
With LCH Care, we check each carer's identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications before any introduction. If you employ a carer directly, you need to do these checks yourself.
Step 5: speak to them first
A short phone or video call tells you a lot about experience, approach and whether the person will get on with your relative. Use our list of questions to ask a carer.
Step 6: agree the routine and start
Agree days and times, the tasks, and house rules. For live-in care, get the room ready and plan the first day: see preparing for a live-in carer.
How weekly care works with LCH Care
- 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
- Hourly care: £25 an hour, with at least 2 hours a visit
- Live-in care: £1,100 a week, with a minimum of 2 weeks
- For live-in care, a second carer covers breaks or rotations
- Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts
Keeping the same carer
- Keep regular days and times where you can
- Give feedback early, while small things are easy to fix
- Plan holidays and changes ahead
- For live-in care, the same two carers taking turns gives continuity
If it is not working
Tell LCH Care early. We'll look for another suitable carer and send you their profile, and you choose whether to go ahead. We can't guarantee a replacement straight away, especially at short notice.
More guides
Questions
What is a weekly carer?
A carer who supports someone on a regular weekly pattern, either visiting on set days or living in for a week or more at a time.
How quickly can I find a carer?
It depends on carers being available in your area. Tell us as early as you can, and we'll send profiles of suitable, available carers.
Do I become the carer's employer?
Not with LCH Care. The carer is self-employed, and neither you nor LCH Care employs them. If you hire a carer directly, you usually become their employer.
How do I pay a weekly carer?
You pay LCH Care weekly, invoiced in advance, and LCH Care pays your carer.