Home care costs in the UK range from £15-£25 per hour for standard services, depending on location, care type, and staff qualifications. Live-in care costs approximately £1,200-£1,800 per week. Here’s the breakdown by region:

• London: £18-£24 per hour
• Birmingham: £16-£22 per hour
• Newcastle: £15-£21 per hour
• Scotland: £16-£23 per hour

CHITS Health Care offers competitive rates approximately 15% cheaper than the industry average with no hidden charges. Care costs depend on factors like personal care needs, specialist support (dementia care costs more), frequency of visits, and staff experience level. Many people qualify for funding from local authorities, NHS Continuing Healthcare, or direct payments that reduce out-of-pocket costs. Request a free personalised quote based on your specific care needs.

Home care (also called domiciliary care) is professional support provided in your own home, allowing you to remain in familiar surroundings while receiving assistance with daily activities, personal care, and health needs. Unlike moving to a care home or residential facility, home care enables people to maintain independence and stay in their own homes.

Home care works through these steps:

1. Initial Assessment: Our team discusses your needs, health conditions, and preferences
2. Care Plan: We create a personalised care plan tailored to your specific requirements
3. Carer Match: You meet your carer to ensure compatibility and comfort
4. Care Provision: Carers visit at scheduled times or live with you 24/7 for live-in arrangements
5. Ongoing Support: Regular reviews ensure care evolves with changing needs

Home care services include personal care assistance (washing, dressing, grooming), meal preparation, medication management, mobility support, companionship, and health coordination with medical teams. It’s flexible—you choose the frequency and type of support. Many people start with a few hours weekly and increase support as needs change.

Dementia care in the UK costs slightly more than standard elderly care due to specialist training required. Here’s the pricing:

• Standard Dementia Care: £16-£25 per hour
• Live-in Dementia Care: £1,400-£2,000 per week
• Specialist Dementia Carers: Top end of pricing range

Costs vary based on:

• Location: London is typically more expensive than Newcastle or Birmingham
• Carer Qualifications: Specialist dementia training increases costs
• Care Complexity: Advanced dementia with challenging behaviours costs more
• Frequency: 24/7 live-in care offers better value than multiple hourly visits

What makes dementia care different and justifies the cost:

• Specialist training in memory loss and cognitive decline
• Behaviour management for challenging symptoms
• Safety monitoring for wandering or unsafe behaviours
• Communication techniques tailored to memory loss
• Patience and emotional support for family carers

Early professional dementia support significantly improves quality of life and allows people to remain at home much longer. Many people qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding that covers costs completely. Ask your GP about Continuing Healthcare assessment.

Live-in care means a dedicated, professional carer lives with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing continuous support, companionship, and assistance with all daily needs.

Live-in Care Costs:

• Standard Live-in Care: £1,200-£1,800 per week
• Specialist Dementia Live-in Care: £1,400-£2,000+ per week
• Nursing/Medical Live-in Care: £2,000-£3,000+ per week

Prices vary by location—London costs more than Newcastle or Birmingham.

Who Benefits from Live-in Care:

• People with complex health needs requiring 24/7 monitoring
• Advanced dementia requiring constant supervision
• Post-hospital discharge requiring ongoing medical support
• Those recovering from serious illness or surgery
• Anyone preferring to stay at home rather than move to a care facility

Why Live-in Care Offers Value:
Hiring multiple hourly carers for 24/7 coverage would cost significantly more. Live-in care provides better value and continuity—your carer understands your routines, preferences, and needs intimately. This consistency improves care quality and reduces stress.

What’s Included:
The weekly fee covers the carer’s accommodation, meals, utilities, and 24/7 availability. You provide a bedroom and bathroom access.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is NHS funding for people with complex, ongoing health needs. The cost to you is £0 (completely free) if approved. The NHS funds the entire care package directly.

Who Qualifies for Continuing Healthcare:
You may qualify if you have complex, ongoing health needs requiring regular nursing or specialist care. Common reasons for approval include:

• Advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Neurological conditions (Parkinson’s, MS, motor neurone disease)
• Post-stroke care with ongoing medical needs
• Cancer care requiring specialist nursing
• Heart or respiratory conditions requiring constant monitoring
• Multiple serious health conditions requiring coordination

How to Access Continuing Healthcare:

1. Ask Your GP: Mention complex health needs and request CHC assessment
2. NHS Assessment: Multidisciplinary NHS team evaluates your health complexity
3. If Approved: NHS funds all your care costs—no out-of-pocket expenses
4. If Declined: You can appeal the decision

Why It Matters:
If approved, Continuing Healthcare removes all financial burden of care. Many families don’t realise they qualify. It’s absolutely worth asking your GP about CHC assessment if your relative has ongoing health complexity. This funding can make an enormous financial difference.

There are significant cost and lifestyle differences between home care and residential care homes:

Home Care Costs:

• £15-£25 per hour (London slightly higher)
• Live-in care: £1,200-£1,800 weekly
• Total monthly cost: £260-£5,400 depending on frequency

Care Home (Residential) Costs:

• £2,500-£6,000+ per month
• Total monthly cost: £2,500-£6,000+

Home Care Advantages:

• Stay in your own home and familiar environment
• Maintain independence and personal control
• Lower cost for part-time support
• Flexible scheduling
• One-to-one attention from your carer
• Better for mild to moderate care needs

Care Home Advantages:

• 24/7 on-site medical supervision available
• Planned activities and social interaction
• Meals prepared by professional kitchen staff
• Community with other residents
• Better for complex medical needs or advanced dementia

Bottom Line:
For people needing part-time support (under 20 hours weekly), home care is significantly cheaper. For intensive needs, the cost difference narrows. Most people prefer home care initially because it preserves independence. Many eventually move to care homes as needs increase. The choice depends on health needs, preferences, and budget.

Yes, 100% of our carers are DBS-checked. This is legally mandatory for anyone working with vulnerable people in the UK.

Security Verification:

• Enhanced DBS Check: Verifies no disqualifying criminal history
• Reference Verification: We contact previous employers and personal references
• Qualification Verification: We verify all stated qualifications and certifications
• Background Screening: We screen for safeguarding concerns

Staff Qualifications:
Our team holds relevant qualifications based on role:

• Care Assistants: Level 2/3 Childcare or Health & Social Care qualifications, First Aid certification
• Nurses: Registered Nurse (RN) or Staff Nurse qualifications, NMC registration
• Dementia Specialists: Advanced dementia care training, dementia-specific certifications
• Healthcare Assistants: HCA qualifications, health and safety training
• Nannies: Level 2/3 Childcare, paediatric First Aid

Ongoing Development:
All staff undergo continuous professional development and regular supervision. We’re CQC-regulated and meet strict quality standards. Your safety is absolutely our priority.

Timing depends on urgency and service type:

Routine Care Requests:

• 3-5 working days after initial consultation
• Allows time for proper assessment, carer matching, and planning

Emergency Situations:

• Same-day or next-day depending on location and availability
• Call +44 7437 574241 immediately for emergencies
• Our 24/7 team assesses urgency and mobilises care rapidly

By Location:

• London (Head Office): Usually 1-3 days for emergencies, 3-5 days routine
• Birmingham Office: Similar timelines, sometimes faster for local emergencies
• Newcastle Regional Base: 1-3 days emergency, 3-5 days routine
• Scotland: Depending on specific location, similar response times

Our Process for Rapid Arrangement:

1. Initial Call: Immediate assessment of your urgency and needs
2. Quick Consultation: Within hours if emergency, next day for routine
3. Carer Matching: We identify available carers matching your needs
4. Meeting & Planning: You meet your carer before care begins
5. Care Starts: On agreed date, fully planned and prepared

For Genuine Emergencies:
Don’t wait. Call +44 7437 574241 and describe the emergency. Our team will do everything possible to provide rapid support. Planning ahead ensures smoother arrangements, but we’re equipped for urgent situations.

Yes, CHITS Health Care is an approved NHS healthcare staffing supplier providing professionals to hospitals, care homes, and NHS facilities across the UK.

Types of Healthcare Professionals We Supply:

• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Staff Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants (HCA)
• Clinical Support Workers
• Nursing Associates
• Other healthcare professionals

Types of Placements:

• Temporary Staffing: Emergency cover, planned absences, holiday cover
• Permanent Placements: Long-term staffing positions
• Shift Flexibility: Day shifts, night shifts, weekend shifts
• Rapid Mobilisation: Quick response to urgent staffing needs

Why NHS Trusts Choose Us:

• Staff are registered with professional bodies (NMC for nurses)
• Fully qualified and experienced in NHS settings
• Thorough vetting and DBS checks
• Understand NHS protocols and systems
• Can provide staff quickly for emergencies
• Competitive rates and reliable service

How It Works:
Contact us with your staffing needs. We discuss shift patterns, qualifications required, duration needed, and any specific experience preferences. We identify suitable candidates and confirm placement. Staff report on agreed dates fully briefed on your facility requirements.

Yes, you can cancel anytime. We have no long-term contracts binding you to our service.

Cancellation Policy:

• For Ongoing Care: Provide appropriate notice (typically 2 weeks) so we can arrange alternative support for other clients
• For Emergency/Temporary Care: More flexible cancellation arrangements
• No Penalty: No early termination fees or cancellation penalties

Why We Work This Way:
We believe people should feel they continue choosing us, not trapped by contracts. If you’re unhappy, you’re free to leave—which motivates us to provide excellent service every day. We want your continued trust, not contractual obligation.

What If There’s A Problem:
If you have concerns about your care, contact us immediately. We investigate complaints within 5 working days and work to resolve issues. We can arrange a different career if there’s incompatibility. Give us the opportunity to fix problems before considering cancellation.

Changing Your Care Package:
You can also adjust your service without cancelling—increase hours as needs grow, reduce hours as independence improves, or pause care temporarily. Complete flexibility is one of our key strengths.

Read Our Terms:
Our full terms and conditions are available on our website with complete cancellation details. The key principle is flexibility and respecting your autonomy to make choices about your care.