LCH CareLoving Carers Helpful
East of England

Home care in Essex

LCH Care matches families in Essex with checked, self-employed carers, from 2-hour visits to live-in care. You choose your carer and speak to them before anything is agreed.

Start an enquirySee prices

Essex at a glance

About 394,300 people aged 65 or over live in Essex, 20.3% of its 1.9 million residents (ONS mid-2025 population estimates). About 55,300 people in Essex are aged 85 or over. Essex is classed as urban (ONS rural-urban classification), with about 529 people per square kilometre, which suits hourly visits as well as live-in care.

1.9 millionpeople live in Essex
20.3%are aged 65 or over, about 394,300 people
55,300people are aged 85 or over
3 councilsSouthend-on-Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council

Population figures: ONS mid-2025 population estimates.

Care at home in Essex

  • Hourly care in Essex: visits of 2 hours or more, at times that suit you, from £25 an hour
  • Live-in care in Essex: a carer living in the home for daily support, £1,100 a week
  • Overnight care in Essex: sleeping or waking nights, so nights are safe
  • Respite care in Essex: cover while a family carer takes a break
  • 24-hour care in Essex: two carers sharing the day and the night
  • Companionship care in Essex: company, outings and help with daily routines
  • Dementia care in Essex: a familiar carer and a steady routine at home

Not sure which type fits? See home care explained or care for specific conditions.

Arranging and funding care in Essex

Adult social care in Essex is run by Southend-on-Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council. Ask the council that covers your address for a free needs assessment: Southend-on-Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council (links go to GOV.UK). A needs assessment is worth having even if you plan to pay for care yourself, because it sets out the help needed in writing.

In England, the council's needs assessment is free, and people with savings over £23,250 usually pay for their own care; the home is not counted when care is at home (NHS). Benefits such as Attendance Allowance and NHS Continuing Healthcare can also help; see paying for care at home.

Coming home from hospital

NHS hospitals in Essex include Colchester General Hospital, Basildon University Hospital and The Princess Alexandra Hospital. If your relative is coming home from hospital, care can start at short notice when a suitable carer is available near them. Tell us the discharge date as early as you can, and see short-notice care.

How LCH Care works in Essex

  1. Tell us what is needed

    Where in Essex, the help needed, and when care should start.

  2. See matched profiles

    Profiles say what experience each carer has.

  3. Speak first

    Talk to carers by phone or video call before you choose.

  4. Care starts

    You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.

There is no office in Essex to visit: LCH Care is an introductory agency. Hourly care costs £25 an hour, with at least 2 hours a visit, and live-in care costs £1,100 a week. You pay LCH Care weekly, and LCH Care pays your self-employed carer. See how it works and pricing.

Towns and districts in Essex

LCH Care matches families across Essex, including these 112 towns, villages and districts:

Postcode districts

Postcode districts in Essex include CM1, CM2, CM3, CM6, CM12, CM15, CM16, CO5, CO6, CO12, CO15, CO16, EN9, RM16, RM17, RM18, SS1, SS3, SS5, SS7, SS14, SS15, SS16 and SS17.

Nearby areas

Questions

Do you arrange home care across Essex?

Yes. LCH Care matches families anywhere in Essex, including Southend-on-Sea, Colchester, Basildon and Chelmsford, with checked, self-employed carers. Availability depends on carers near you, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer.

How much does home care cost in Essex?

Wherever you live in Essex, hourly care with LCH Care costs £25 an hour, with at least 2 hours a visit, and live-in care costs £1,100 a week. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts.

Who do I contact for a needs assessment in Essex?

Ask the council that covers your address for a free needs assessment: Southend-on-Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council (links go to GOV.UK).

Can care start when someone leaves Colchester General Hospital?

Yes, when a suitable carer is available near them. Tell us the discharge date as early as you can, and we will send profiles of carers who can start.

Will I have to pay for care in Essex?

In England, the council's needs assessment is free, and people with savings over £23,250 usually pay for their own care; the home is not counted when care is at home (NHS).

Do you have an office in Essex?

No. LCH Care is an introductory agency without local offices. You speak to carers by phone or video call, and your carer comes to your home.

Care at home in Essex

Tell us what is needed in Essex, and we'll call you back and send profiles of suitable carers.

Start an enquiry