Introductory agency or managed care agency?
Both help you arrange care at home. They differ in who employs the carer, who manages the care, and how much choice you have. Here is how they compare.
| Question | Introductory agency (LCH Care) | Managed care agency |
|---|---|---|
| CQC registration | Not required. LCH Care has no ongoing role in the care. | Required, and the agency is inspected |
| Who employs the carer | Nobody. The carer is self-employed and works directly with you. | The agency employs and manages the carer |
| Who manages the care | You and your carer | The agency: rotas, supervision, training, quality |
| Choosing the carer | You choose from matched profiles and can speak to the carer first | The agency usually assigns the carer |
| Continuity | Often one carer over a long time | Can vary with rotas and staffing |
| Pricing | A fixed hourly or weekly price | Usually hourly or daily rates that include agency overheads |
| Carer's pay | Agreed in writing before the carer starts | Set by the agency |
| Best for | Families who want choice, flexibility and a direct relationship with their carer | Families who want the agency to take full responsibility |
How an introductory agency works
An introductory agency, like LCH Care, introduces you to self-employed carers. You choose the carer, speak to them first, and agree the care directly with them. The agency checks carers before introducing them and helps arrange payment, but it does not employ the carer or manage the care they give.
Because the agency has no ongoing role in the personal care, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not require it to register.
How a managed care agency works
A managed care agency, also called a homecare or domiciliary care agency, employs its carers, sends them to you, and manages them: rotas, supervision, training and quality. In England it must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC); Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own care regulators. The agency usually decides which carer comes, and its prices include its overheads.
Which suits you?
An introductory agency suits you if
- You want to choose your carer and speak to them first
- You want one carer over a long time
- You are happy to agree the routine with your carer
- You want a fixed hourly or weekly price
A managed agency suits you if
- You want the agency to take full responsibility for the care
- You want the agency to supervise and manage the carer
- You prefer not to be involved in day-to-day arrangements
Questions
Are you regulated by the CQC?
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.
What's the difference between an introductory agency and a homecare agency?
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.
Who is the employer?
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.
Will my loved one have the same carer each time?
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.
Prefer to choose your carer?
Tell us what you need and we'll send you profiles of suitable, checked carers.