Private carer cost in the UK: what to expect
Cost is usually the first question families ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on where you live, how much help is needed and whether you go through an agency. The ranges below are typical UK figures to help you budget — always confirm actual rates with the carer or agency, as prices vary locally and change over time.
Typical rates
| Type of care | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly home visits (direct hire)Paid straight to the carer. Lower headline rate, but you handle arrangements yourself. | £15 – £22 per hour |
| Hourly home visits (agency)Includes the agency's cover, vetting, insurance and management overhead. | £25 – £35 per hour |
| Short visits (30–45 mins)Many providers set a minimum visit length, so short calls cost more per hour. | Often charged at a minimum call-out |
| Overnight (sleeping night)Higher if the carer is expected to be awake and active through the night. | £90 – £150 per night |
| Live-in careAgency live-in care sits at the upper end; complex needs cost more. | £900 – £1,500 per week |
These are indicative market ranges, not quotes. Ask two or three providers in your area for written rates before you decide.
Agency versus hiring directly
An agency charges more per hour because the rate covers vetting, training, insurance, supervision and — importantly — cover when your regular carer is ill or on holiday. You have one contract and one invoice, and the agency is regulated (CQC in England, Care Inspectorate in Scotland, CIW in Wales, RQIA in Northern Ireland).
Hiring a carer directly usually costs less per hour and gives you continuity with one person you choose. In exchange, you take on more: checking documents yourself, agreeing terms in writing, arranging cover for sickness and holidays, and understanding whether the carer is genuinely self-employed or whether you become their employer. If you employ them, HMRC payroll, pension duties and holiday pay apply — check the current guidance on GOV.UK or take advice before you start.
Neither route is automatically better value. Direct hire tends to suit steady, predictable hours; an agency tends to suit complex needs or care that must never miss a day.
What changes the price
Where you live
London and the South East typically run several pounds an hour above the rest of the UK. Rural areas can also cost more because of travel time between calls.
Level of need
Companionship and practical help sit at the lower end. Personal care, moving and handling, dementia support or end-of-life care require more training and cost more.
Timing
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays usually carry an uplift — bank holidays are often charged at time and a half or double.
Visit length and frequency
A single hour-long call is more expensive per hour than a longer block, because travel time is spread across fewer paid hours.
Qualifications and checks
Carers with NVQ/QCF qualifications, NISCC registration, medication training or a driving licence and insured car generally charge more.
Employment status
If you employ a carer directly rather than engaging a self-employed carer, budget for employer National Insurance, pension contributions, holiday pay and payroll admin on top of the hourly rate.
Help with paying for care
Before you commit, ask your local authority (or your Trust in Northern Ireland, or the HSE in Ireland) for a care needs assessment. Depending on needs and finances you may be eligible for a funded package or direct payments you can use to arrange care yourself. Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and NHS Continuing Healthcare are also worth checking.
Care Connectors itself doesn't take a cut of what you pay a carer. Browsing and profiles are free, and you only pay a one-off fee to unlock one person's contact details.
Next steps
Once you know your budget, read how to find a private carer near you and the questions to ask before you hire.
See rates in your area
Create a free, email-verified account and browse carers near you — many list their hourly rate on their profile.
Looking for care