Best live-in care in Berkshire compared

Choosing care is one of the biggest decisions a family can make. If you are exploring live-in care in Berkshire, it is natural to ask which providers operate locally, how they differ and what you should compare before making a decision.

This guide is produced by Unique Senior Care, a fully managed live-in care provider supporting families across Berkshire. Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission.

We have included our own service alongside other established fully managed and introductory live-in care providers available in Berkshire. Each provider is compared using the same criteria, including regulation, oversight, reviews, pricing and the way care is managed.

The information is based on publicly available sources, including CQC records, homecare.co.uk, Trustpilot and providers’ own websites. Ratings, prices and services can change, so it is always worth checking the latest information directly before making a decision.

For a wider picture of care provision across the county, see our State of Care in Berkshire report.

 

How We’ve Compared Live-in Care Providers in Berkshire

We’ve included established providers that families are likely to come across when researching live-in care in Berkshire and compared them using the same criteria.

Criteria used:

• Regulation and CQC ratings: Whether the service is CQC regulated and the rating of the relevant registered location.
• Care model and oversight: Whether care is fully managed or provided through an introductory or self-managed arrangement.
• Berkshire coverage: Where the provider offers live-in care across the county.
• Specialist support: The types of care and conditions the provider says it can support.
• Independent reviews: Current scores and review volumes on platforms such as homecare.co.uk and Trustpilot.
• Pricing: Published starting prices where these are available.

Provider information and comparison data last checked: August 2026.

 

Best Fully Managed Live-in Care Providers in Berkshire

With fully managed live-in care, 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, recruiting and supporting Caregivers and providing ongoing management when needs or circumstances change.

Unique Senior Care is one of the fully managed live-in care providers supporting families in Berkshire, alongside providers such as Trinity Homecare, The Good Care Group, Bluebird Care, Home Instead, Right at Home and Mumby’s Live-in Care.

 

Fully Managed Live-in Care Providers in Berkshire Compared

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

Information checked in August 2026. Review scores, prices and service availability can change. Some review scores relate to an individual local service while others relate to a wider provider, so they should be considered alongside the full provider information below.

 

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 provide independently owned, fully managed live-in care across Berkshire. Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall by the CQC.

Families in Berkshire receive ongoing Care Manager oversight, care planning, reviews and 24/7 support. Each Care Manager supports no more than 18 clients, and we recruit around one in every 80 Caregiver applicants. We also prioritise continuity by matching clients with a small, consistent team of Caregivers wherever possible.

• Ownership & Model: We are independently owned and led by Co-Founders Philip Wright-Howarth and Philip Maundrill. Established in 2011, we provide fully managed care rather than operating as an introductory agency.
• Berkshire Coverage: We support families across Berkshire, including Reading, Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell, Ascot, Newbury and surrounding areas.
• Care Management: Every live-in care client has Care Manager oversight. Each Care Manager supports no more than 18 clients, helping them stay closely involved in assessments, care planning, reviews, Caregiver support and changes in care needs.
• CQC Rating: Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall. It is rated Outstanding for Responsive and Well-led, and Good for Safe, Effective and Caring.
• 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 small, consistent team around each client so familiar Caregivers can return wherever possible.
• Contingency & 24/7 Support: Our team is available 24/7, and 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 support people who need everyday live-in care as well as those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other complex conditions. Respite care, rehabilitation and recovery, post-operative support and end-of-life care are 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.
• Reviews & Awards: We have a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.8/10 from more than 250 reviews and have been named a homecare.co.uk Top 20 Home Care Group for six consecutive years. A full list is available on our awards and recognition page.
• Pricing: Live-in care in Berkshire starts from £1855 per week for one person and £2310 per week for a couple. The final cost depends on the level of care and support required.

 

Trinity Homecare

Trinity Homecare provides fully managed live-in care across Berkshire and other parts of England through its wider group structure. Its registered services include Outstanding-rated locations providing visiting and live-in care.

• Ownership & Model: Fully managed provider operating as part of Trinity Homecare Group, which is backed by Limerston Capital.
• Berkshire Coverage: Live-in care is available across Berkshire, including Reading, Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough, Bracknell, Wokingham and Newbury.
• CQC Rating: Trinity Homecare has relevant registered services rated Outstanding overall. Its Worcester Park service was reassessed in August 2025 and remained Outstanding overall, with Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led rated Outstanding.
• Care Management & Oversight: Care Managers assess needs, oversee care plans and support employed Caregivers. Trinity also provides ongoing support and arrangements for alternative Caregivers when regular Caregivers take a break.
• Services & Specialist Support: Live-in care, dementia care, Parkinson’s care, palliative and end-of-life care, respite and support for people with more complex conditions.
• Reviews: Trinity Homecare Worcester Park currently has a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.8/10 from more than 60 reviews.
• Pricing: homecare.co.uk currently lists live-in care at Trinity Homecare Worcester Park from approximately £1,694 to £2,324 per week, with higher fees depending on care needs.

 

The Good Care Group

The Good Care Group is a national fully managed live-in care provider offering care across Berkshire as well as other parts of England and Scotland. It directly employs its Caregivers and provides regional Care Manager oversight.

• Ownership & Model: Fully managed provider operating as part of Elevate Care International, which is backed by The Halifax Group.
• Berkshire Coverage: Live-in care is available across Berkshire, including Reading, Slough, Maidenhead and surrounding towns and villages.
• CQC Rating: Its registered English service is rated Outstanding overall. All five areas were rated Outstanding at its most recent full inspection, published in April 2019.
• Care Management & Oversight: Clients have Care Manager oversight and access to ongoing support. The provider also has in-house clinical expertise for people with more complex needs.
• Services & Specialist Support: Live-in care, dementia care, Parkinson’s care, palliative and end-of-life care, respite and support with more complex health needs.
• Reviews: The Good Care Group currently has a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.6/10 from 20 reviews.
• Pricing: Full-time live-in care is currently advertised from £256 per day.

 

Bluebird Care Reading, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead & Bracknell

Bluebird Care Reading, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead & Bracknell is a locally managed Bluebird Care franchise providing visiting and live-in care across a large part of Berkshire.

• Ownership & Model: Local Bluebird Care franchise operated by TM Care Limited and providing fully managed care through a local team.
• Berkshire Coverage: Reading, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Windsor, Bracknell and surrounding areas.
• CQC Rating: The registered service is rated Outstanding overall. The latest full inspection took place in December 2018, with the report published in February 2019. Responsive and Well-led are rated Outstanding, while Safe, Effective and Caring are rated Good. CQC reviewed available information in July 2023 and did not identify a need to reassess the rating at that time.
• Care Management: Care is overseen by the local management team, with individual assessments and care plans tailored around each person’s needs and routines.
• Services: Live-in care, visiting care, dementia care, overnight care and support for people with physical disabilities and other needs.
• Reviews: Bluebird Care Reading, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead & Bracknell currently has a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.7/10 from 168 reviews.
• Pricing: homecare.co.uk currently lists live-in care from approximately £1,650 per week.

 

Home Instead Maidenhead, Henley & Wallingford

Home Instead Maidenhead, Henley & Wallingford is a locally owned franchise providing visiting and live-in care across parts of Berkshire and neighbouring Oxfordshire.

• Ownership & Model: Locally owned Home Instead franchise providing fully managed care through its local team.
• Berkshire Coverage: Maidenhead and surrounding communities, with wider coverage extending towards Henley and Wallingford.
• CQC Rating: The registered service is rated Good overall. Its latest full inspection took place in April and May 2018, with the report published in May 2018. CQC reviewed available information in July 2023 and did not identify a need to reassess the rating at that time.
• Care Model: Live-in and visiting care are overseen by the local care management team. Care Professionals are matched with clients according to needs, interests and preferences.
• Services: Live-in care, visiting care, dementia care, companionship, personal care, palliative care, hospital discharge support and other condition-specific care.
• Reviews: Home Instead Maidenhead, Henley & Wallingford currently has a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.6/10 from 89 reviews.
• Pricing: Live-in care fees are provided following an individual assessment. Home Instead’s local guidance gives a broad UK agency range of around £1,350 to £2,000 per week, but the actual local price depends on individual needs.

 

Right at Home Maidenhead, Marlow & Henley

Right at Home Maidenhead, Marlow & Henley is a locally managed franchise providing visiting and live-in care from its Maidenhead base.

• Ownership & Model: Local Right at Home franchise providing fully managed care through its local team.
• Berkshire Coverage: Maidenhead and surrounding areas, with wider coverage including Marlow and Henley.
• CQC Rating: The service is rated Outstanding overall. Its latest inspection took place in September 2021, with the report published in December 2021. Responsive and Well-led are rated Outstanding, while Safe, Effective and Caring are rated Good.
• Care Management: Care plans and ongoing support are overseen by the local management team, with Caregivers matched according to individual needs and preferences.
• Services: Live-in care, dementia care, Parkinson’s care, companionship, personal care and other home care support.
• Reviews: Right at Home Maidenhead, Marlow & Henley currently has a homecare.co.uk review score of 10/10 from around 100 reviews.
• Pricing: homecare.co.uk currently lists live-in care from £1,500 per week, with higher fees depending on the care package.

 

Mumby’s Live-in Care

Mumby’s Live-in Care is an independently operated provider based in Oxfordshire that delivers fully managed live-in care across Berkshire and other parts of southern England.

• Ownership & Model: Independently operated provider specialising in fully managed live-in care.
• Berkshire Coverage: Live-in care is available across Berkshire as part of Mumby’s wider coverage across southern England.
• CQC Rating: Mumby’s Live-in Care is rated Outstanding overall. Its latest full inspection report was published in February 2019. Effective and Well-led are rated Outstanding, while Safe, Caring and Responsive are rated Good. CQC reviewed available information in July 2023 and did not identify a need to reassess the rating at that time.
• Care Management: Care is managed by the provider, with Caregiver matching, care planning and ongoing support included within the service.
• Services: Live-in care, dementia care, respite, personal care and support for adults and younger people with a range of needs.
• Reviews: Mumby’s Live-in Care currently has a homecare.co.uk review score of 9.7/10 from more than 60 reviews.
• Pricing: Live-in care is currently listed from £1,414 per week.

 

Introductory and Self-Managed Live-in Care Options in Berkshire

Alongside fully managed providers, families in Berkshire 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 direct control over who provides their care and can sometimes cost less than a fully managed service. However, more responsibility for managing the ongoing care relationship usually sits with the person receiving care and their family.

An introductory service is not CQC regulated as the provider of care where it is simply introducing a family to a self-employed Caregiver. Some companies offer more than one model, so it is important to check exactly which service is being considered.

 

Introductory and Self-Managed Live-in Care Options Compared

The table below compares the care model, regulatory position, reviews and current published pricing for three services families in Berkshire may come across.

Information checked in August 2026. Trustpilot scores and prices can change. Costs are not directly comparable because introductory, self-managed and managed services structure their fees and responsibilities differently.

 

Elder

Elder is a nationwide introductory agency that uses an online platform to connect families with vetted, self-employed Caregivers.

• Ownership & Model: Introductory agency. Caregivers using the Elder platform are self-employed rather than employed by Elder.
• Berkshire Coverage: Available across Berkshire, subject to suitable Caregiver availability.
• Regulation & Oversight: Elder is not CQC regulated as the provider of the introductory care arrangement. Families choose and engage a self-employed Caregiver and use the MyElder platform to manage aspects of the arrangement.
• Caregiver Vetting: Elder says Caregivers complete suitability screening, background checks and professional reference checks before being accepted onto its platform.
• Caregiver Matching: Elder shortlists Caregivers based on care requirements and preferences, and families can review profiles and speak with potential Caregivers before choosing who they want to work with.
• Reviews: Elder currently has a Trustpilot score of 4.7/5 from 870+ reviews.
• Pricing: Elder currently advertises live-in care from £1,210 per week. The final cost depends on the level of support required.

 

Hometouch

Hometouch offers different approaches to arranging care, including an introductory model using self-employed Caregivers and a separate managed care service.

• Ownership & Model: Hometouch operates both an introductory model and a separate managed care option.
• Berkshire Coverage: Care is available nationally, including Berkshire, subject to Caregiver availability and the service selected.
• Regulation & Oversight: The introductory arrangement is not itself a CQC-regulated care service. Hometouch also offers a separate managed service that is CQC regulated, so families should check which arrangement they are considering.
• Caregiver Vetting: Hometouch says Caregivers are vetted before joining the platform, including DBS and reference checks.
• Services: Live-in care, dementia care, respite and support for people with more complex needs, depending on the service selected.
• Reviews: Hometouch currently has a Trustpilot score of 4.5/5 from more than 150 reviews.
• Pricing: Pricing varies according to the Caregiver and care model. Hometouch is currently listed at around £1,300 per week in May 2026 competitor pricing published by Country Cousins, but families should obtain a current individual quote directly.

 

Country Cousins

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

• Ownership & Model: Introductory live-in care agency. Caregivers are self-employed rather than employed by Country Cousins.
• Berkshire Coverage: Nationwide live-in care is available across Berkshire, subject to Caregiver availability.
• Regulation & Oversight: Country Cousins is not CQC regulated as the provider of the introductory care arrangement. The agency provides matching and ongoing support, while the family takes more responsibility than it would with a fully managed provider.
• Caregiver Matching: Country Cousins identifies suitable Caregivers according to the family’s requirements and gives families the opportunity to speak with potential Caregivers before care begins.
• Services: Standard live-in care, companionship, dementia care, respite and higher-support arrangements.
• 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. Short-term and higher-support packages cost more, and additional fees may apply.

 

How to Choose Between Live-in Care Providers in Berkshire

There is no single provider or care model that will be right for every family. One of the most important differences to understand is who remains responsible for managing the care once it begins.

With a fully managed provider such as Unique Senior Care, the provider remains responsible for overseeing the care arrangement. Our service includes Care Manager oversight, care planning and reviews, Caregiver support, 24/7 assistance and responsibility for arranging suitable cover if a regular Caregiver is unavailable.

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 may sometimes be lower. However, the family will usually take on more responsibility for managing the ongoing arrangement.

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

• Is the particular service providing my care regulated by the CQC?
• Which CQC-registered location will be responsible for my care?
• Who employs or contracts with the Caregiver?
• Who creates and reviews the care plan?
• Will I have a named Care Manager or other point of contact?
• How many clients does each Care Manager oversee?
• How are Caregivers recruited, vetted and trained?
• How will the Caregiver be matched with the person receiving care?
• What happens if the regular Caregiver is ill, takes a holiday or cannot attend?
• What support is available outside normal office hours?
• What is included in the quoted price?
• Are there additional travel, registration, platform, food or administration costs?

It is also worth checking how recent the relevant CQC rating is. An Outstanding or Good rating remains the provider’s current regulatory rating unless it is reassessed, but several Berkshire services have not had a full inspection for a number of years.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Live-in Care in Berkshire

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

Several fully managed services operating in Berkshire have a relevant CQC service rated Outstanding overall, including Unique Senior Care, Trinity Homecare, The Good Care Group, Bluebird Care Reading, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead & Bracknell, Right at Home Maidenhead, Marlow & Henley and Mumby’s Live-in Care.

The dates and scope of those ratings differ, so families should always check the specific CQC-registered service that would be responsible for their care.

Is Unique Senior Care’s live-in care in Berkshire regulated by the CQC?

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

Our service includes ongoing Care Manager oversight, care planning and reviews, Caregiver support and 24/7 assistance.

What does a fully managed live-in care provider do?

A fully managed live-in care provider takes ongoing responsibility for managing and overseeing the care rather than simply introducing a family to a self-employed Caregiver.

This can include assessing care needs, creating and reviewing the care plan, recruiting and supporting Caregivers, monitoring the care arrangement and arranging alternative cover when a regular Caregiver is unavailable.

At Unique Senior Care, each Care Manager supports no more than 18 clients and remains involved as care needs change.

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.

Some companies offer more than one model. Hometouch, for example, offers an introductory arrangement alongside a separate managed care service. Families should therefore check exactly which service they are choosing.

How much does live-in care cost in Berkshire?

Live-in care costs vary according to the provider, care model and level of support required. Current published starting prices in this comparison range from around £1,155 per week for some introductory arrangements to £1,500 or more per week for many fully managed providers.

Unique Senior Care’s live-in care in Berkshire starts from £1855 per week for one person and £2310 per week for a couple. For more detail, see our live-in care costs in Berkshire guide.

What should I compare when choosing a live-in care provider in Berkshire?

Look beyond the headline weekly price. Useful factors to compare include the relevant CQC rating and inspection date, who manages the care, Care Manager involvement, Caregiver recruitment and training, matching and continuity, support outside office hours and what happens if a regular Caregiver is unavailable.

Independent reviews can also be useful, but consider both the review score and the number of reviews rather than relying on the rating alone.

How does Unique Senior Care compare with other live-in care providers in Berkshire?

Unique Senior Care is one of several fully managed providers operating in Berkshire with an Outstanding overall CQC rating attached to the registered service responsible for its live-in care.

Our model includes Care Manager oversight, no more than 18 clients per Care Manager, 24/7 support, selective Caregiver recruitment, family involvement in matching and a small-team approach designed to support continuity. We are also independently owned and publish our starting live-in care prices.

Other providers in Berkshire have different strengths, geographic coverage, ownership structures, prices and regulatory histories, which is why it is worth comparing the full profiles above rather than relying on one measure alone.

 

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About This Berkshire Live-in Care Comparison

This comparison was researched and published by Unique Senior Care, an independently owned, fully managed live-in care provider established in 2011. Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location, which is rated Outstanding overall by the Care Quality Commission.

We created this guide to help families compare different approaches to live-in care in Berkshire using consistent criteria, including regulation, oversight, reviews, pricing and the way care is managed. Unique Senior Care has been assessed using the same criteria as the other providers included in the comparison.

Provider information was last checked in August 2026 using publicly available information from the CQC, provider websites and independent review platforms. Ratings, prices and services can change, so families should check the latest information directly before making a decision.

 

More Help With Live-in Care in Berkshire

If you are still comparing your options, you can explore our Berkshire live-in care service, read our Berkshire live-in care costs guide, learn more about dementia care in Berkshire or visit our Care Advice Hub.

The right choice will depend on your family’s priorities, the level of oversight you want and the needs of the person receiving care. Comparing those practical differences can help you make a more informed decision, whichever provider you choose.