Best Live-in Care Companies in England Compared

Choosing care is a big decision for any family. You may be asking: Who are the best live-in care providers in England? or Which live-in care companies should we compare before making a decision?

This guide is produced by Unique Senior Care, a fully managed home care provider rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission. It compares a range of live-in care providers, including fully managed services regulated by the Care Quality Commission and introductory platforms, so families can see how different models work and what they offer.

The comparison looks at areas such as regulation, Care Manager oversight, reviews, pricing and the way care is managed. Unique Senior Care is included alongside other providers and has been assessed using the same criteria.

The information is based on publicly available sources, including CQC inspection reports, homecare.co.uk ratings, Trustpilot reviews and providers’ own websites. The aim is to give families a clear, evidence-based comparison so they can understand the differences and decide which type of service best suits their needs.

 

How We’ve Compared the Best Live-In Care Providers

We’ve included providers that families are likely to come across when researching live-in care in England. As this guide is published by Unique Senior Care, we’ve included our own service alongside other providers and compared each one using the same criteria.

The aim is to make the differences easier to understand, particularly around regulation, oversight, pricing and the way care is managed.

Criteria used:

• Regulation and oversight.
• CQC ratings and inspection recency.
• Services and specialist support offered.
• Care management and ongoing oversight.
• Reviews and awards, including homecare.co.uk, Trustpilot and Top 20 Awards.
• Pricing, where publicly available.
• Geographic coverage.

Provider information and comparison data last checked: August 2026

 

Best Fully Managed Live-in Care Providers in England

Fully managed live-in care means the provider takes ongoing responsibility for managing and overseeing the care, rather than simply introducing a family to a Caregiver. This typically includes assessing care needs, creating and reviewing the care plan, supporting Caregivers and providing ongoing management when needs or circumstances change.

Unique Senior Care is one of the fully managed live-in care providers included in this comparison, alongside The Good Care Group, Helping Hands, Home Instead and Trinity Homecare. Below, we compare each provider using the same criteria, including regulation and CQC ratings, Care Manager oversight, specialist support, reviews, pricing and geographic coverage.

 

Fully Managed Live-in Care Providers Compared

The table below gives a quick comparison of the fully managed providers covered in this guide. CQC ratings can apply to individual registered services rather than an entire national brand, so we’ve made this distinction where relevant.

Information checked in August 2026. CQC ratings relate to the relevant registered service and may vary across providers with multiple locations. Review scores, prices and service availability can change, so check the latest information with the provider and relevant regulator.

 

Unique Senior Care

As this guide is published by Unique Senior Care, we’ve included our own service first so you can compare it with other providers using the same criteria.

We are an independently owned, fully managed live-in care provider offering CQC-regulated care across England. Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall by the CQC.

Established in 2011, we provide ongoing Care Manager oversight, carefully selected and matched Caregivers and 24/7 support. Each Care Manager supports no more than 18 clients, and we recruit around one in every 80 Caregiver applicants. Alongside everyday live-in care, we support people living with dementia, Parkinson’s and other complex conditions, as well as those who need respite, rehabilitation or end-of-life care.

• Ownership & Model: We are independently owned and led by Co-Founders Philip Wright-Howarth and Philip Maundrill. We provide fully managed care rather than operating as an introductory agency.
• Branches & Coverage: We have local teams in Solihull, Warwickshire and Coventry, alongside regional Care Managers supporting live-in care clients across England.
• CQC Rating: Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall. It was rated Outstanding for Responsive and Well-led, and Good for Safe, Effective and Caring. The CQC highlighted personalised care, compassionate staff and a culture that involved people and their families in decisions about their support.
• Care Management & Oversight: Each Care Manager supports no more than 18 clients, helping them stay closely involved in care planning, regular reviews, Caregiver support and changes in care needs. Our team is also available 24/7 to support clients and Caregivers.
• Caregiver Recruitment: We recruit around one in every 80 Caregiver applicants. Our recruitment process considers experience and suitability as well as the values and personal qualities needed to support someone in their own home.
• Caregiver Matching & Continuity: Families are involved in matching Caregivers based on care needs, personality, interests and preferences. We aim to build a consistent team around each client, with the same Caregivers returning wherever possible.
• Contingency & 24/7 Support: As a fully managed provider, we remain responsible for supporting the care arrangement once care begins. If a regular Caregiver is unavailable, we take responsibility for arranging suitable cover rather than leaving the family to find a replacement themselves.
• Services & Specialist Support: We provide live-in care for a wide range of needs, including dementia and Alzheimer’s care, Parkinson’s care, specialist and complex care, respite care, rehabilitation and recovery, post-operative support and end-of-life care. Overnight sleeping and waking care is also available.
• Training: We have received the Princess Royal Training Award three times in recognition of our approach to learning and development, including our Live-in Caregiver induction. Training continues throughout a Caregiver’s employment, with additional learning and support for different and more complex care needs.
• Reviews & Awards: We have been named a homecare.co.uk Top 20 Home Care Group for six consecutive years and have a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.8 from more than 250 reviews. We have also been shortlisted for national recognition through the HealthInvestor Awards and LaingBuisson Awards. A full list is available on our awards and recognition page.
• Pricing: Our live-in care starts from £265 per day for one person and £330 per day for a couple. The final cost depends on the level of care and support required.
• Employee Feedback: We are rated 4.7/5 on Glassdoor from 65+ reviews and 3.9/5 on Indeed from 80+ reviews.

 

The Good Care Group

The Good Care Group is an established fully managed live-in care provider offering services across England and Scotland. It directly employs and trains its Caregivers and provides ongoing Care Manager oversight, alongside specialist clinical support for people with more complex needs.

• Ownership & Model: Fully managed provider operating as part of Elevate Care International. Elevate Care International has been backed by The Halifax Group since 2023. The Good Care Group directly employs and manages its Caregivers rather than operating as an introductory agency.
• Branches & Team: The provider is headquartered in London and also has a Scotland office. Care is delivered through regional Care Managers and Caregiver teams rather than a large network of traditional high-street branches.
• Coverage: Live-in care is available across England and Scotland.
• Regulation & Oversight: The English service is fully managed and CQC regulated. Clients have Care Manager oversight and access to 24/7 support. The company also employs in-house clinical specialists, including a Clinical Lead and dementia expertise, to support more complex care needs.
• CQC Rating: The Good Care Group’s registered English service is rated Outstanding overall. Its latest full CQC inspection report was published in April 2019, when all five areas were rated Outstanding. The service had also been rated Outstanding at its previous inspection in 2016. CQC reviewed available information in July 2023 and did not identify a need to reassess the rating at that time.
• Services & Specialist Support: Live-in care, respite care, dementia care, Parkinson’s care, palliative and end-of-life care, and nurse-led support for more complex needs. Depending on the care plan, trained Caregivers can support delegated healthcare tasks including PEG feeding, stoma care, insulin administration, catheter care and wound care.
• Reviews & Awards: The Good Care Group currently has a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.6/10 from 20 reviews. Recent recognition listed by homecare.co.uk includes Domiciliary Care Provider of the Year at the HealthInvestor Awards 2025.
• Pricing: Full-time live-in care is currently advertised from around £256 per day. The final cost depends on care needs and is confirmed following an assessment. Respite and more complex care may cost more.
• Employee Feedback: Glassdoor currently shows a rating of 4.6/5 from more than 370 reviews. Indeed shows an overall rating of 4.0/5 from more than 160 reviews.

 

Helping Hands

Helping Hands is one of the UK’s larger home care providers, offering visiting and live-in care across England and Wales. It operates a fully managed model and directly employs its Caregivers, with care managed through a large network of local teams.

• Ownership & Model: Privately owned, fully managed provider. Services in England are operated by Midshires Care Limited and regulated by the CQC. Helping Hands directly employs its Caregivers rather than working as an introductory agency.
• Branches & Team: homecare.co.uk currently lists 154 Helping Hands home care locations. The provider itself describes its network as more than 140 branches across England and Wales.
• Coverage: Care is available across England and Wales through its branch network, including visiting and live-in care.
• Regulation & Oversight: Fully managed care is overseen by local Registered Care Managers and support teams. Helping Hands also provides clinical and nursing input for people with more complex care needs.
• CQC Rating: There is no single CQC rating for Helping Hands as a national brand because individual registered locations are assessed separately. Ratings therefore vary by branch. For example, Helping Hands Sheffield was rated Good overall following an assessment published in April 2026. Families should check the current CQC rating for the specific service that would be responsible for their care.
• Services & Specialist Support: Live-in care, visiting care, dementia care, respite care, overnight care, personal care and support for people with more complex or nursing-led needs.
• Reviews & Awards: Helping Hands currently has a homecare.co.uk group review score of 9.3/10 from more than 2,150 reviews. It was also named a Top 20 Large & Mid-size Home Care Group by homecare.co.uk in 2026.
• Pricing: homecare.co.uk currently lists an average starting live-in care price of approximately £1,797 per week across Helping Hands locations. Actual costs vary depending on location and individual care requirements.
• Employee Feedback: Helping Hands Home Care currently has a Glassdoor rating of 4.4/5 from more than 1,000 reviews. Indeed shows an overall rating of 3.3/5 from more than 740 reviews.

 

Home Instead

Home Instead operates one of the UK’s largest home care franchise networks. Care is delivered by independently owned local offices operating under the Home Instead brand, so services, pricing and regulatory ratings can differ between locations.

• Ownership & Model: Franchise model. Individual Home Instead businesses are locally owned and operated under the national Home Instead brand. Where regulated care is provided, the relevant local service is registered with the appropriate regulator.
• Branches & Team: homecare.co.uk currently lists 247 Home Instead home care providers. Local offices employ their own Care Professionals and management teams.
• Coverage: Wide UK coverage through the franchise network. Availability of live-in care and individual services should be checked with the relevant local office.
• Regulation & Oversight: Care is managed locally, with Care Managers or equivalent local team members responsible for assessments, care plans, Care Professional support and ongoing contact with families.
• CQC Rating: There is no single CQC rating covering the whole Home Instead network. Home Instead currently states that 98% of its offices are rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC, with more than a third rated Outstanding. Families should still check the current rating of the individual office responsible for their care.
• Services & Specialist Support: Live-in care, visiting care, companionship, personal care, dementia care, respite care and other condition-specific support. Services vary between franchises.
• Reviews & Awards: Home Instead currently has a homecare.co.uk group review score of 9.5/10 from more than 12,800 reviews. The organisation was also ranked third in the Financial Times UK’s Best Employers list for 2024.
• Pricing: Home Instead does not publish one national live-in care fee because prices vary between offices and according to individual needs. Its national guidance currently gives a broad UK agency live-in care range of around £1,350 to £2,000 per week. Families need to contact their local Home Instead office for an individual quote.
• Employee Feedback: Glassdoor currently shows the wider Home Instead brand at approximately 3.7/5. Indeed shows an overall rating of approximately 3.6/5. Because Home Instead operates internationally through independently owned franchises, these platform ratings should not be treated as ratings of one particular UK office.

 

Trinity Homecare

Trinity Homecare is a Surrey-based fully managed home care provider offering visiting care in selected areas and live-in care across mainland England. Its managed service directly employs its Caregivers and provides ongoing Care Manager oversight.

• Ownership & Model: Private provider backed by Limerston Capital, which acquired Trinity Homecare in March 2020. Trinity operates a fully managed model in which Caregivers are employed and managed by the provider.
• Branches & Team: Trinity Homecare Group currently has six home care providers listed on homecare.co.uk, with its main operations based in Surrey and services extending into London, the South East and other areas.
• Coverage: Trinity states that its live-in care service is available across mainland England. Visiting care has more localised coverage.
• Regulation & Oversight: Its managed care services are CQC regulated. Care Managers assess needs, oversee individual care plans and support employed Caregivers. Trinity also provides 24/7 support and arranges alternative Caregivers when regular Caregivers take a break.
• CQC Rating: Trinity Homecare (Worcester Park), run by Trinity Care at Home Ltd and providing both local visiting care and national live-in care, is rated Outstanding overall. The CQC assessed the service in August 2025 and confirmed the Outstanding rating for a second time. Safe is rated Good, while Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led are rated Outstanding.
• Services & Specialist Support: Live-in care, visiting care, dementia care, personal care, companionship, respite and end-of-life care, with specialist support available according to individual needs.
• Reviews & Awards: Trinity Homecare Group currently has a homecare.co.uk group review score of 9.7/10 from more than 270 reviews. The Worcester Park service itself has a score of 9.8/10 from more than 60 reviews.
• Pricing: Trinity’s current live-in care information states that fully managed live-in care starts from around £1,400 per week for people with very low support needs. Costs increase according to the level and complexity of support required.
• Employee Feedback: Glassdoor currently shows Trinity Homecare at 4.6/5 from around 45 reviews. Indeed currently shows an overall rating of 3.9/5 from around 30 reviews.

 

Introductory and Self-Managed Live-in Care Providers in England

Alongside fully managed live-in care providers, families may also come across introductory agencies and self-managed care platforms. Rather than employing and managing the Caregiver on the family’s behalf, these services typically help families find and arrange care with self-employed Caregivers.

This can give families more control over who provides their care and can sometimes cost less than a fully managed service. However, there are important differences in responsibility and oversight. In an introductory or self-managed arrangement, more responsibility for managing the ongoing care relationship usually sits with the person receiving care and their family. The introductory service itself is not regulated by the CQC for that arrangement in the same way as a provider delivering a regulated activity.

The exact level of support differs between companies, so it is important to understand what the service will manage, what the Caregiver is responsible for and what remains the family’s responsibility. Below are three established services families may come across when comparing these options.

 

Introductory and Self-Managed Live-in Care Providers Compared

The table below gives a quick comparison of the introductory and self-managed services covered in this guide. These models are not all identical, so it is important to look at who manages the ongoing care, whether the particular service is CQC regulated and what is included in the price.

Information checked in August 2026. Trustpilot scores, prices and service arrangements can change. Prices may not be directly comparable because introductory and self-managed services structure their fees differently, and additional charges may apply.

 

Elder

Elder is a nationwide introductory care agency that uses its online platform to connect families with vetted, self-employed Caregivers. Elder says it has connected more than 5,000 families with Caregivers and has delivered live-in care across more than 500 towns and cities in the UK.

• Ownership & Model: Introductory agency. Caregivers using the Elder platform are self-employed rather than employed by Elder, and families select a Caregiver from suitable matches.
• Coverage: Elder operates across the UK and says it has delivered live-in care in more than 500 towns and cities.
• Regulation & Oversight: Elder operates as an introductory agency and is not CQC regulated as the provider of the care. Families use the MyElder platform to review and select Caregivers, manage schedules and share care information. Elder also has a central support and safeguarding team, but responsibility for the day-to-day care arrangement differs from a fully managed provider.
• Caregiver Vetting: Elder says Caregivers joining its platform complete a vetting process that includes a situational judgement assessment, character assessment, DBS or equivalent background check and professional references.
• CQC Rating: Not applicable to Elder’s introductory service because Elder is not the regulated provider delivering the care.
• Services: Live-in care, respite care and visiting care, with Caregivers available to support needs including dementia, mobility, personal care, medication, companionship and household tasks.
• Reviews: Elder currently has a Trustpilot score of 4.7/5 from more than 870 reviews.
• Pricing: Elder currently advertises live-in care from £1,210 per week for one person. It states that there are no joining or registration fees, no weekend or bank holiday surcharges and no additional charges for changing Caregivers or arranging cover during breaks. The final price depends on individual care needs.

 

Country Cousins

Country Cousins describes itself as the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency. Established in 1959, it specialises in matching families with self-employed live-in Caregivers and now forms part of the wider Trinity Homecare Group.

• Ownership & Model: Introductory live-in care agency. Country Cousins forms part of the Trinity Homecare Group, which is backed by Limerston Capital. Its Caregivers are self-employed and invoice clients directly for the care they provide.
• Coverage: Nationwide live-in care across the UK.
• Regulation & Oversight: Country Cousins operates an introductory model rather than providing the care through a fully managed CQC-regulated service. It matches families with self-employed Caregivers and provides ongoing agency support. Families have more responsibility for the care arrangement than they would with a fully managed provider.
• Caregiver Matching & Continuity: Country Cousins identifies suitable Caregivers based on the family’s requirements and gives families the opportunity to speak with them before care begins. When a regular Caregiver takes a break, the agency can match the family with an alternative Caregiver.
• CQC Rating: Not applicable to the Country Cousins introductory service because it is not the regulated provider delivering the care.
• Services: Live-in care, companionship, dementia care, respite care and higher levels of support through its Care+ live-in care option.
• Reviews: Country Cousins currently has a Trustpilot score of 4.6/5 from 129 reviews.
• Pricing: Long-term standard live-in care is currently advertised from £1,155 per week, while short-term standard care starts from £1,225 per week. Its Care+ service starts from £1,225 per week for long-term arrangements. Country Cousins also charges a £280 one-off lifetime registration fee. As Caregivers are self-employed, they invoice clients directly for their services.

 

Curam

Curam is a UK-wide digital care platform connecting families with self-employed Caregivers. Unlike a purely introductory agency, Curam now offers different ways to arrange care, including self-managed care and CQC-regulated managed care. Families therefore need to check which model they are choosing and what level of oversight is included.

• Ownership & Model: Digital care platform offering different care arrangements. In its self-managed model, families can find and book self-employed Caregivers directly through the Curam platform. Curam also offers managed and regulated care arrangements through Curam Managed Care Services Limited.
• Coverage: Care is available across the UK through Curam’s online platform, subject to Caregiver availability in the local area.
• Regulation & Oversight: The level of oversight depends on the service selected. With self-managed care, families have greater responsibility for selecting Caregivers and managing the arrangement. Curam also offers CQC-regulated care for people who want or require a managed service.
• Caregiver Vetting: Curam says Caregivers using its platform must meet eligibility and approval requirements including relevant care experience, an enhanced DBS or equivalent check, right to work in the UK, two UK work references and photo identification. Caregivers operating through the platform are generally self-employed.
• CQC Rating: Curam Managed Care Services Limited was registered with the CQC on 16 February 2026. The service has not yet been inspected and therefore does not currently have a CQC rating. This is separate from self-managed arrangements made directly with Caregivers through the Curam platform.
• Services: Live-in care, hourly and visiting care, overnight care, respite care, dementia support, post-operative care, palliative care and support for people with more complex needs. The type of care available depends on the chosen arrangement and Caregiver.
• Reviews: Curam currently has a Trustpilot score of 4.4/5 from more than 610 reviews.
• Pricing: Self-employed Caregivers set their own rates, so live-in care costs vary by location and individual Caregiver. Curam currently states that the average live-in rate charged by Caregivers on its platform is approximately £1,127 per week. Privately funded clients also pay a 12% Curam client fee. Regulated or managed care can cost more because of the additional level of oversight involved.

 

How to Choose Between Fully Managed and Introductory Live-in Care

There is no single live-in care model that will suit every family. One of the most important differences to understand is who takes responsibility for managing the care once it begins.

With a fully managed provider such as Unique Senior Care, the provider remains responsible for managing and overseeing the care. Our service includes Care Manager oversight, care planning and reviews, Caregiver support, 24/7 assistance and arranging suitable cover when a regular Caregiver is unavailable. Our live-in care service is also CQC regulated and rated Outstanding overall.

With an introductory or self-managed service, families can have more direct control over choosing and working with a self-employed Caregiver, and the cost can sometimes be lower. However, the family will usually take on more responsibility for the ongoing arrangement. Exactly where that responsibility sits varies between services, which is why it is important not to assume that every introductory platform works in the same way.

When comparing live-in care providers, ask each company the same practical questions:

• Who employs or contracts with the Caregiver?
• Is the service providing my care regulated by the CQC?
• Who creates and reviews the care plan?
• Who checks that the care being delivered remains appropriate?
• Who do we contact if needs change or something goes wrong?
• What happens when the regular Caregiver takes a holiday, becomes ill or cannot attend?
• How are Caregivers vetted, trained and matched?
• What support is available outside normal office hours?
• What is included in the quoted price, and are there registration, platform, travel or other additional fees?

It is also worth reading the latest CQC information where the service is regulated, checking recent reviews on independent platforms such as homecare.co.uk and Trustpilot, and asking the provider to explain clearly what they will remain responsible for once care starts.

Taking the time to understand these differences can help you compare the real level of support behind the weekly price, rather than choosing a provider based on cost or review scores alone.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Live-in Care Providers

Which live-in care providers are rated Outstanding by the CQC?

Unique Senior Care, The Good Care Group and Trinity Homecare all have relevant registered services rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission.

Unique Senior Care’s live-in care service is registered through its Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall. The Good Care Group’s registered English service is also rated Outstanding overall. Trinity Homecare’s Worcester Park service, which provides national live-in care, was rated Outstanding again following a CQC assessment in 2025.

For providers with multiple branches or franchises, such as Helping Hands and Home Instead, CQC ratings vary by registered location. Families should check the rating of the specific service that would be responsible for their care.

Is Unique Senior Care regulated by the CQC?

Yes. Unique Senior Care provides fully managed, CQC-regulated live-in care across England. Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall by the CQC.

This means we remain responsible for managing and overseeing the care, including care planning, reviews, Caregiver support and responding when care needs change.

What is the difference between fully managed and introductory live-in care?

With fully managed live-in care, the provider takes ongoing responsibility for managing and overseeing the care. This can include assessing needs, creating and reviewing the care plan, employing or managing Caregivers, providing Care Manager oversight and arranging cover when a regular Caregiver is unavailable.

With an introductory or self-managed service, the company typically connects the family with a self-employed Caregiver. The family usually takes on more responsibility for managing the ongoing care arrangement, although the amount of support provided varies between companies.

What should I look for when comparing live-in care companies?

Look beyond the weekly price and compare how the care will actually be managed. Useful questions include whether the service is CQC regulated, who oversees the care plan, how Caregivers are recruited and matched, what happens when a Caregiver takes a break, what support is available outside office hours and whether the same Caregivers can return regularly.

It is also worth checking recent CQC information, independent reviews, published pricing and exactly what is included in the quoted cost.

Which live-in care providers offer Care Manager oversight?

Fully managed providers including Unique Senior Care, The Good Care Group, Helping Hands and Trinity Homecare provide ongoing management and oversight of care. Home Instead also provides local care management through its franchise network, although arrangements can vary between offices.

At Unique Senior Care, each Care Manager supports no more than 18 clients and stays involved in care planning, reviews, Caregiver support and changes in care needs.

Are introductory live-in care agencies regulated by the CQC?

No. An introductory live-in care agency that introduces families to self-employed Caregivers, rather than providing and managing the regulated care itself, is not regulated by the CQC for that service. This means the introductory agency does not receive a CQC rating for the care arrangement.

This is an important difference from fully managed care, where the provider takes responsibility for delivering and overseeing the regulated care and, where required, is registered with the CQC.

Some companies offer more than one type of service. Curam, for example, offers self-managed care alongside a separate managed care service that is CQC registered. In cases like this, it is important to check which service you are actually choosing and whether that specific service is CQC regulated.

Is fully managed live-in care more expensive than introductory care?

Often it is, because a fully managed fee usually covers more than the Caregiver’s time. It may also include Care Manager oversight, care planning and reviews, recruitment, training, out-of-hours support and responsibility for arranging suitable cover.

Introductory or self-managed services can sometimes have a lower headline price, but families should check whether platform fees, registration charges, travel costs or other additional costs apply. The most useful comparison is the total cost alongside the level of ongoing support included.