How to Find an Independent Carer in the UK: 7 Things Families Should Check

By Tanya Gordon, Founder and Director of Eden Homecare 247

Finding the right person to support you or a relative at home is an important decision. Families are often comparing care agencies, introductory services, personal assistants and independent carers at the same time, and the differences are not always obvious.

If you are considering an independent carer, it helps to know what to check before you agree an ongoing arrangement. The aim is not simply to find someone who is available. You want someone whose experience, reliability and working arrangements make sense for the person receiving support.

1. Be clear about the support you actually need

Start by writing down what support is required, how often it is needed, where it will take place and whether there are any particular routines, communication needs, mobility issues or preferences that matter to the person receiving support.

This makes matching much easier. A carer who is excellent at companionship and everyday support may not have the same experience as someone who has worked extensively with dementia, complex mobility needs or live-in arrangements.

2. Check experience and references

Ask about recent care experience rather than relying only on a job title. Find out what settings the person has worked in, what type of support they have provided and how recently they have carried out similar work.

References are also important. Ideally, they should come from people or organisations who can comment on reliability, conduct and relevant care experience. Families should feel comfortable asking follow-up questions if something is unclear.

3. Look carefully at DBS information

An enhanced DBS certificate can form part of safer recruitment and matching, but it should not be treated as the only check that matters. Where a carer is subscribed to the DBS Update Service, an eligible organisation can check the status of an existing Standard or Enhanced DBS certificate with the individual’s consent.

Families should ask what DBS evidence has been seen, when it was issued and whether an Update Service status check has been completed where appropriate. GOV.UK explains how the DBS Update Service works.

4. Clarify right to work and the legal arrangement

It is important to understand who is engaging the carer and on what basis. If a family is employing somebody directly, right-to-work responsibilities can apply to the employer. GOV.UK provides guidance on checking a job applicant’s right to work.

Independent arrangements can vary, so families should be clear about employment status, payment, tax responsibilities and who is responsible for giving day-to-day instructions. If you are unsure about the legal or tax position, take appropriate professional advice rather than relying on assumptions.

5. Check training and practical competence

Certificates are useful, but families should also ask whether the person has practical experience relevant to the support needed. Training may include safeguarding, moving and handling, first aid, medication awareness, infection prevention or other subjects depending on the role.

The most useful question is often: “Tell me about a time you have supported someone with needs similar to ours.” That gives you a better sense of how training translates into real-world judgement and communication.

6. Ask about insurance, reliability and what happens if plans change

Ask what insurance the independent carer holds and whether it is suitable for the work they intend to carry out. You should also discuss punctuality, notice periods, holidays and what will happen if the carer becomes unavailable.

For an independent arrangement, families should understand that they may need to take a more active role in organising cover than they would with a managed care agency.

7. Put the working arrangement in writing

Before the arrangement starts, make sure the important points are clear. These can include:

• agreed days and hours
• rate of pay and how payment will be made
• the support the carer has agreed to provide
• notice and cancellation arrangements
• who gives instructions and makes decisions about the ongoing support
• what happens if the carer is unavailable

A written agreement helps both sides understand what has been agreed and reduces the risk of misunderstandings later.

What is the role of an introductory service?

An introductory service can help families identify potential carers, carry out pre-introduction checks and make a suitable introduction. CQC guidance distinguishes this model from a regulated home care agency where the organisation has an ongoing role in directing or controlling the personal care provided.

CQC specifically recognises that introductory agencies can check and vet suitability, qualifications, skills and experience before accepting care workers onto their books, while remaining outside registration where they have no ongoing role in directing or controlling the personal care after introduction. You can read the official CQC guidance on introductory agencies and individual care workers.

How Eden Homecare 247 helps families

Eden Homecare 247 provides a UK-wide introductory and matching service for families, subject to suitable independent carer availability. We discuss what the family is looking for, review potential matches and introduce suitable independent carers for the family to consider.

After an introduction, the family decides whether to proceed and agrees the ongoing working arrangement directly with the carer. Eden does not manage, supervise or direct the independent carer’s ongoing work after the introduction and does not present the family service as a regulated domiciliary care agency.

You can learn more on our Private Carers in Bromley & London page, read our introductory service terms, review our safeguarding information, or contact Eden Homecare 247.

This article provides general information and is not legal, employment, tax or regulatory advice. Families should obtain appropriate professional advice where needed for their own circumstances.