Choosing the right carer is an important decision, whether you’re arranging support for yourself or a loved one. If you’re considering employing a carer privately, there are several things to think about before you start looking, from the type of support needed to the carer’s experience, availability and suitability.
There are several ways to arrange private care. You might employ a carer directly, work with a genuinely self-employed carer or use an introductory agency that helps you find a self-employed carer while leaving you to manage the care arrangement.
Understanding the difference between these options is important before you decide how to arrange care for yourself or a loved one.
What should you consider before choosing a carer?
Before you start looking for a carer, it helps to work out exactly what support is needed.
Think about:
- What care is needed? Consider personal care, mobility, medication prompts, meals, household tasks and companionship.
- When is support needed? Think about the times of day, number of hours and whether support is needed overnight.
- How much support is needed? Someone may need occasional help with specific tasks, while others may need more consistent support throughout the day.
- Are there specific health or mobility needs? Make a note of any conditions, equipment, communication needs or other requirements a carer should understand.
- What does the person want from their care? Consider their routines, interests, personality and how they like to spend their time.
- Would live-in care be suitable? If you’re considering a live-in carer, you’ll need to think about whether there is suitable private accommodation and space in the home.
- What happens if the carer is unavailable? Think about who could provide cover during holidays, sickness or other planned absences.
Having a clear picture of these needs will make it easier to write an advert, ask the right questions during an interview and decide whether a carer is suitable.
What is a private carer?
A private carer is someone who provides care and support outside a fully managed care agency arrangement. They may be directly employed by the person receiving care or their representative, or they may be genuinely self-employed.
A private carer might provide support with:
- Washing, dressing and other personal care
- Mobility and transfers
- Meal preparation and mealtimes
- Medication prompts
- Shopping and other errands
- Light household tasks
- Companionship
- Appointments and social activities
The exact responsibilities should be agreed before care begins.
What are the different ways to arrange a private carer?
There are three common arrangements to understand:
Directly employed carer: You employ the carer yourself. This gives you control over the employment relationship, but you also take on employer responsibilities such as payroll, holiday entitlement and employment insurance where applicable.
Self-employed carer: You engage a carer who is genuinely self-employed and responsible for their own tax and other obligations. You still need to agree the care arrangement, check that the person’s employment status is correct and make sure the arrangement is suitable for the care being provided.
Introductory agency: An introductory agency helps you find and introduce you to a suitable self-employed carer. The client then manages the care relationship rather than the agency employing the carer or providing fully managed care.
Country Cousins is an introductory live-in care agency. We introduce families to self-employed live-in carers rather than directly employing the carers.
Why do people choose to employ a carer privately?
Private care can offer more control over how support is arranged. It can also provide continuity, particularly when you find a carer who is a good fit for the person receiving care.
More choice over who provides care
When you arrange care privately, you can look for someone whose experience, personality and approach suit the person receiving care.
This can be particularly important where care involves personal tasks or where the carer will spend a significant amount of time with the person.
Continuity and consistency
Having the same carer regularly can help build familiarity and trust. The carer can become familiar with the person’s routines, preferences, and how they like to receive support.
Continuity will depend on the arrangement you put in place, so it’s important to consider what happens if the carer is unavailable.
Greater flexibility
Private arrangements can allow you to agree care around particular routines, activities and times of day.
This may be useful if someone needs support at specific times rather than following a standard schedule. It is still important to agree clearly what the carer will and won’t be expected to do.
A direct working relationship
Managing care yourself means you can communicate directly with the carer about day-to-day arrangements.
For some families, having this direct relationship is an important part of choosing private care.
Private care can sometimes have a lower headline cost than a fully managed agency service because there may be fewer management fees involved.
However, the hourly or weekly rate is only part of the cost. If you employ a carer directly, you may also need to budget for holiday pay, employer National Insurance, pension contributions, insurance, payroll and cover when the carer is unavailable.
It’s therefore worth comparing the total cost of each arrangement rather than simply comparing the carer’s rate.
What are your responsibilities if you employ a carer?
If you directly employ someone as a carer or personal assistant, you become responsible for a range of employer duties.
The exact responsibilities depend on the person’s employment status and the arrangement you’ve made. If you’re unsure whether someone is genuinely self-employed or should be treated as an employee, get appropriate advice before the arrangement begins.
Employment contract and written terms
If you employ a carer, you should have clear written terms covering areas such as:
- The carer’s role and duties
- Working hours
- Pay
- Holiday entitlement
- Sick leave and pay
- Notice periods
- Arrangements for breaks and time off
- What happens if either party wants to end the arrangement
Clear terms help both sides understand what has been agreed.
Pay and the National Minimum Wage
Employees and workers must be paid at least the applicable National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage where the rules apply.
Care work can involve complicated questions about working time, particularly where a carer lives in the home. Don’t assume that accommodation or an agreed weekly payment automatically covers all minimum wage requirements.
Tax and National Insurance
If you employ a carer, you may need to register as an employer and operate PAYE, deducting the appropriate tax and National Insurance from their pay. You may also have employer National Insurance responsibilities.
Holiday and sick leave
Employees have statutory rights relating to paid holiday and, where the relevant conditions are met, sick pay. These costs need to be included when working out the true cost of employing someone directly.
Employers’ liability insurance
If you become an employer, you will generally need Employers’ Liability insurance. The policy must provide at least the required level of cover, subject to the relevant exemptions. It’s important to check your responsibilities before the carer starts work.
Workplace pension responsibilities
Depending on the carer’s age, earnings and employment status, you may have workplace pension duties. If you’re employing someone for the first time, consider getting payroll or employment advice so you understand what applies to your particular arrangement.
How much does a private carer cost?
The cost of private care varies depending on the type of support, where you live, the carer’s experience and whether they are employed directly or work on a self-employed basis.
Age UK has previously indicated that privately arranged care can cost around £20-£30 an hour, although rates vary and should be checked against current local costs.
Hourly care
Private carers set their own rates where they are genuinely self-employed. If you employ someone directly, you’ll need to consider their agreed pay alongside the additional costs of employing them.
The total cost can therefore be higher than the headline hourly rate suggests.
Live-in care
Live-in care is usually charged as a weekly arrangement rather than an hourly rate. The cost can vary depending on the level of support required, the carer’s experience and the arrangements made.
If you are comparing private live-in care with an introductory or fully managed service, make sure you understand exactly what is included in each price.
You can find more information in our guide to live-in care costs.
Other costs to consider
Depending on how care is arranged, you may also need to budget for:
- Holiday pay
- Sick pay
- Employer National Insurance
- Workplace pension contributions
- Employers’ Liability insurance
- Payroll or accountancy support
- Travel or agreed expenses
- Cover when the usual carer is unavailable
- Additional support if care needs change
Can you use local authority funding to pay for a private carer?
In England, you may be able to use a direct payment to arrange your own care and support if you’ve been assessed as eligible for care and support by your local authority.
Direct payments allow eligible people to choose and arrange services themselves rather than having the council arrange them directly.
If you use a direct payment to employ a personal assistant, you may become an employer and take on the associated responsibilities. Your local authority should be able to explain the support available to help you manage this.
Rules and arrangements differ across the UK, so check with the relevant local authority if you live outside England.
How to find a private carer
If you’re recruiting a carer yourself, it’s worth approaching the process in the same way you would any other important recruitment decision.
Start with your care requirements
Before looking for a carer, think about what support is actually needed.
Consider:
- What personal care is required?
- Is mobility support needed?
- Are there specific health conditions to consider?
- Is support needed during the night?
- Is the care temporary or ongoing?
- How many hours of support are required?
- Is live-in care being considered?
- What household tasks should the carer help with?
- Are there hobbies, pets or social activities the carer will need to support?
- What experience, qualifications or personality traits would be important?
Being clear about these points makes it easier to write an accurate job description and assess whether candidates are suitable.
Where can you advertise for a private carer?
Depending on the type of care you need, you could advertise through:
- Local newspapers or community noticeboards
- Local community groups
- Specialist care recruitment websites
- Online job platforms
- Professional networks
If you’re advertising online, avoid publishing the care recipient’s full name, address or other unnecessary personal information.
What should a carer advert include?
A useful advert should explain:
- The location or general area
- Whether the role is live-in or visiting
- The hours required
- The main care responsibilities
- Any relevant health or mobility needs
- The pay or pay range
- Required experience or qualifications
- Any other important practical requirements
The more accurately you describe the role, the easier it is to assess whether applicants are suitable.
How should you vet a private carer?
Recruitment doesn’t end when you find someone who seems suitable. You also need to establish whether they’re appropriately qualified, experienced and trustworthy.
Check references
Ask for references from recent care roles, particularly where the previous work involved similar responsibilities. Don’t rely on a reference simply because it has been provided. Where appropriate, contact the referee and confirm the details.
Check qualifications and experience
Ask about relevant qualifications, training and previous experience. If the person will be supporting someone with a specific condition, such as dementia or a neurological condition, ask about their experience of providing that type of care.
Check employment status
If someone describes themselves as self-employed, don’t assume that this automatically means they are legally self-employed.
Employment status depends on the actual working relationship, including factors such as who controls the work, how it is carried out and the terms of the arrangement. If you’re unsure, seek advice before proceeding.
Consider DBS checks
A DBS check can form part of the recruitment process when appropriate. The type of check available depends on the role and circumstances.
Individuals cannot simply apply for any level of DBS check on another person themselves, so check the current rules and the appropriate route before arranging one.
Meet before care begins
An interview gives you an opportunity to discuss the role, but it’s also useful to consider how the carer and the person receiving care get along.
Questions could include:
- What experience do you have of similar care needs?
- How do you approach personal care?
- How would you support someone who becomes anxious or confused?
- What would you do if you were concerned about a change in someone’s wellbeing?
- Are you comfortable supporting the person’s usual routines and activities?
- What availability do you have for holidays or other time off?
For live-in care, it’s particularly important to discuss practical arrangements such as the carer’s accommodation, meals, rest periods and expectations around time off.
How one family chose the right care
When Sarah and James were looking for care for their mum, Mary, they considered several care providers before choosing Country Cousins. They were reassured by the reputation of the agency and, as Sarah put it, “from the very first phone call”.
After Mary suffered a hip fracture, her carer Amy became an important part of her recovery, providing practical support as well as companionship.
Mary’s story shows why choosing a carer involves more than looking at availability or qualifications. Finding someone who understands the person’s needs and is a good fit can make a real difference to the experience of care.
Read Mary’s story: Helping Mary Find Her Feet Again
What happens if your private carer is unavailable?
This is one of the important differences between arranging care privately and using a fully managed care service.
If your carer becomes ill, takes a holiday or leaves the arrangement, you’ll need a plan for maintaining care.
Your options could include:
- Having a second carer who can provide cover
- Arranging temporary respite care
- Using an agency for short-term cover
- Having family members provide additional support where appropriate
If you’re using local authority direct payments, your care and support plan should consider how your needs will be met when a personal assistant is absent.
Thinking about cover before care begins can prevent a difficult situation later.
Private carer or introductory agency: what’s the difference?
You don’t necessarily have to choose between finding a carer completely independently and using a fully managed care provider.
An introductory agency can sit between the two.
With an introductory service, the agency can help identify carers who may be suitable based on care needs, experience, lifestyle and preferences. Once a carer is introduced and an arrangement is agreed, the client remains responsible for managing the care relationship.
This can be useful for families who want more choice and control but would rather not search for and vet potential carers entirely on their own.
Country Cousins is an introductory live-in care agency. We introduce families to self-employed live-in carers and help identify potential matches based on the person’s care requirements, lifestyle and preferences.
How does Country Cousins’ introductory service work?
If you’re considering live-in care, the process starts with a conversation about the person’s needs and circumstances.
We can then discuss the type of carer and experience that may be appropriate and introduce suitable self-employed carers for you to consider.
You choose whether you’d like to proceed with a particular carer, giving you a say in who provides support.
Because Country Cousins is an introductory service, the client manages the care relationship with the self-employed carer rather than Country Cousins directly employing the carer.
Frequently asked questions about employing a carer privately
Is it legal to employ a private carer?
Yes. You can directly employ a carer or personal assistant, provided the arrangement complies with the relevant employment, tax and care requirements. Your responsibilities will depend on whether the person is an employee, worker or genuinely self-employed.
Do I become an employer if I hire a private carer?
Not necessarily. It depends on the actual arrangement and the carer’s employment status.
If you directly employ the carer, you’ll generally become their employer and take on responsibilities such as payroll, minimum wage, holiday entitlement, insurance and pension duties where applicable.
If the carer is genuinely self-employed, the arrangement is different. Employment status should reflect the reality of how the work is organised.
Is it cheaper to employ a carer privately?
It can be, but you shouldn’t compare only the carer’s hourly or weekly rate.
Direct employment can involve additional costs such as holiday pay, employer National Insurance, pension contributions, insurance, payroll and cover for sickness or holidays.
How do I check whether a private carer is safe?
Check their identity, references, qualifications and relevant experience. Consider whether an appropriate DBS check is available for the role and discuss the person’s previous care experience in detail.
It’s also important to meet the carer before care begins and make sure the person receiving care is comfortable with the arrangement.
Can I employ a private carer using direct payments?
In some circumstances, yes. If you’ve been assessed as eligible for care and support and receive direct payments, you may be able to use them to employ a personal assistant or arrange your own care.
Your local authority can explain the rules that apply to your situation and what support is available for managing the arrangement.
Who manages a private carer’s holidays and sickness?
If you employ the carer directly, you’ll generally be responsible for making arrangements when they’re absent. If the carer is self-employed, the terms of the arrangement should make clear what happens if they’re unavailable.
Either way, it’s important to have a backup plan, particularly where someone relies on care every day.
What’s the difference between a private carer and an introductory agency?
A private arrangement involves finding and managing the carer yourself, while an introductory agency can help you identify and introduce suitable self-employed carers. With Country Cousins, the client remains responsible for managing the relationship with the self-employed carer after an introduction.
Talk to Country Cousins
If you’re considering live-in care but aren’t sure whether to find a carer independently or use an introductory service, our team can explain how the different arrangements work.
Country Cousins is the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency. We’ve been introducing families to self-employed live-in carers since 1959.
Call us on 01293 224706. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Alternatively, you can contact us through our online enquiry form.
