Best Live-in Care in Kent Compared

Choosing a live-in care provider is one of the biggest decisions a family can make. If you're exploring live-in care in Kent, it is natural to ask which providers operate locally, who will oversee the care and what happens if needs change or a regular Caregiver is unavailable.

Kent has a mixture of locally based care providers, independently owned franchise offices and national companies supporting families through regional Care Managers. Although many providers use similar language, the way care is organised, regulated and supported can be quite different.

This guide is produced by Unique Senior Care, an independently owned, fully managed live-in care provider offering care across Kent and the rest of England. Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location and is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

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

The information has been gathered from publicly available sources, including CQC reports, homecare.co.uk, Trustpilot, employer review sites, Companies House and information published by the providers themselves. Ratings, prices and services can change, so it is always worth checking the latest information directly before making a decision.

You can also explore our UK Elderly Care Statistics 2025–26 for more information about wider changes in care demand.

How We've Compared Live-in Care Providers in Kent

We've included providers that families are likely to come across when researching live-in care in Kent. Some have registered offices within the county, while others provide care in Kent through regional or nationally managed teams.

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, delivered through a franchise or provided through an introductory or self-managed arrangement.
• Kent coverage: Where the provider offers care and whether it has a local or regional presence.
• 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, review scores and review totals last checked: August 2026.

Best Fully Managed Live-in Care Providers in Kent

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 normally includes assessing needs, creating and reviewing the care plan, supporting Caregivers and arranging suitable cover when circumstances change.

Unique Senior Care is one of the fully managed live-in care providers supporting families across Kent. Other established providers families may come across include Trinity Homecare, The Good Care Group, Home Instead and Consultus Care & Nursing.

The way these services are structured varies. Trinity Homecare has a registered service in Edenbridge, Home Instead operates through independently owned local franchises, and Consultus offers both introductory and fully managed care options from its Tonbridge base.

Fully Managed Live-in Care Providers in Kent Compared

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

Information checked in August 2026. Review scores, prices and service availability can change. Some ratings and review scores relate to a particular local service or franchise rather than the provider as a whole.

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 care across Kent and the rest of England. Our live-in care service is registered through our Solihull location and is rated Outstanding by the CQC.

Families in Kent are supported by a regional Care Manager who remains involved in care planning, reviews and ongoing Caregiver support. Each Care Manager supports no more than 18 live-in care clients, and clients and Caregivers have access to 24/7 support.

• Ownership and 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 a franchise or introductory agency.
• Kent coverage: We provide live-in care across Kent, including Canterbury, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Medway, Thanet and surrounding areas.
• Care management: Each client has a dedicated Care Manager responsible for assessing needs, developing and reviewing the care plan, supporting Caregivers and maintaining communication with the family. Care Managers support no more than 18 live-in clients each.
• Ongoing support: Care management begins from the start of the placement, including a day-one introduction, early follow-up and regular contact during the first month, followed by ongoing reviews as the care arrangement becomes established.
• CQC rating: Our live-in care service is rated Outstanding by the CQC. The latest full inspection report was published on 2021, with Good ratings for Safe, Effective and Caring and Outstanding ratings for Responsive and Well-led. The registered service responsible for our national live-in care is based in Solihull rather than Kent.
• Caregiver recruitment: We recruit around one in every 80 Caregiver applicants. Our recruitment process considers experience and suitability as well as the personal qualities needed to support someone in their own home.
• Caregiver matching and continuity: Families are involved in matching Caregivers according to care needs, personality, interests and preferences. We aim to build a small and consistent team around each client so familiar Caregivers can return wherever possible.
• Contingency and 24/7 support: Clients and Caregivers have access to 24/7 support. If a regular Caregiver is unavailable, we take responsibility for arranging suitable cover.
• Services and specialist support: Live-in care, dementia care, respite care, palliative and end-of-life care, rehabilitation and recovery support, overnight care, sleeping and waking nights, support for physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
• 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 and awards: Our live-in care service has a homecare.co.uk score of 9.8/10 from 257 reviews. We have received homecare.co.uk Top 20 recognition over several years. A full list is available on our awards and recognition page.
• Pricing: Live-in care starts from £1855 per week for one person and £2310 per week for a couple. There are no set-up fees, assessments are free and a £40 weekly food allowance may apply where the Caregiver is not included in the household shop.

Trinity Homecare Kent

Trinity Homecare has a locally registered service in Edenbridge providing live-in and visiting care across parts of Kent. This gives it a physical Kent presence as well as access to the wider Trinity Homecare Group.

• Ownership and model: Trinity Homecare is part of Trinity Homecare Group and provides fully managed care rather than operating as a franchise or standard introductory agency.
• Kent presence: Trinity has a CQC-registered office in Edenbridge. Its Kent coverage includes Edenbridge, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas, with live-in care also promoted more widely across the county.
• Regulation and oversight: Trinity provides fully managed, CQC-regulated care. It assesses needs, develops care plans, matches Caregivers, reviews care and arranges alternative cover when required.
• CQC rating: Trinity Homecare's Edenbridge service is rated Outstanding overall. Caring, Responsive and Well-led are rated Outstanding, while Safe and Effective are rated Good. The inspection report was published on 18 July 2019, with CQC reviewing available information again in July 2023.
• Services: Live-in care, visiting care, 24-hour care, waking and sleeping nights, dementia care, companionship, respite care, complex care and support for physical disabilities, sensory impairments and mental health conditions.
• Reviews and awards: Trinity Homecare Kent has a homecare.co.uk score of 9.3/10 from 15 reviews. Trinity also received Best for Live-in Care Expertise at the Home Care Awards 2026.
• Pricing: Trinity does not publish one standard Kent live-in care starting price. Families receive a personalised quote after an assessment.

The Good Care Group

The Good Care Group is a fully managed national live-in care provider supporting families across Kent through regional Care Managers. Its registered English service is based in London rather than Kent.

• Ownership and model: Group-owned, centrally managed provider rather than a franchise or introductory agency.
• Kent coverage: National live-in care coverage includes towns, villages and coastal communities across Kent.
• Care management and oversight: The Good Care Group directly employs and manages its Caregivers. Clients receive Care Manager support alongside assessments, care planning, ongoing reviews, clinical support and 24-hour assistance.
• CQC rating: Rated Outstanding overall, with Outstanding ratings across Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Its latest full inspection report was published in April 2019.
• Services: Live-in care, dementia care, Parkinson's care, complex care, palliative care, respite care, rehabilitation support and companionship.
• Reviews and awards: The Good Care Group has a homecare.co.uk score of 9.6/10 from 20 reviews. It was named Home Care Provider of the Year at the HealthInvestor Awards 2026.
• Pricing: homecare.co.uk lists live-in care from £1,795 per week. The final weekly cost depends on assessed care needs.

Home Instead

Home Instead provides live-in care in Kent through independently owned and managed franchise businesses. Each office has its own CQC registration, local management, review profile and pricing, so families should check the specific franchise that would be responsible for their care.

• Ownership and model: Franchise network of independently owned local businesses. Care Professionals are recruited and managed by the relevant Kent franchise.
• Kent presence: homecare.co.uk lists nine Home Instead services in Kent, covering areas including Canterbury, Dartford, Folkestone, Hythe and Ashford, Maidstone, Medway, Sevenoaks, Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
• Regulation and oversight: The relevant local Home Instead franchise assesses needs, develops the care plan, recruits and matches Care Professionals, monitors the service and arranges replacement support.
• CQC ratings: Ratings vary between Kent franchises. Home Instead Canterbury and Home Instead Sevenoaks are rated Good. Families should check the current CQC profile of the exact office that would manage their care rather than relying on a Kent-wide brand rating.
• Services: Live-in care, visiting care, personal care, companionship, dementia care, respite care, palliative care, hospital discharge support, home help and overnight care. Availability varies between franchises.
• Reviews: The nine Home Instead locations listed in Kent have a combined homecare.co.uk group score of 9.5/10 from 376 reviews. Individual office scores vary.
• Pricing: Prices are set by individual franchises. Home Instead Canterbury lists live-in care from £1,850 per week, while some other Kent offices provide prices on request.

Consultus Care & Nursing

Consultus Care & Nursing is a privately owned live-in care and nursing provider based in Tonbridge. Founded in 1962, it offers both introductory and fully managed arrangements, so families should be clear which model they are comparing.

• Ownership and model: Privately owned provider rather than a franchise. Consultus offers an introductory service using self-employed Caregivers as well as a fully managed service delivered within its regulated structure.
• Kent presence: Consultus is headquartered in Tonbridge and provides live-in care and nursing across Kent and the wider UK.
• Regulation and oversight: The level of management depends on the service selected. Under the introductory model, the family takes greater responsibility for directing and overseeing the self-employed Caregiver. Under the managed service, Consultus assesses needs, plans and coordinates care and provides ongoing regulated oversight.
• CQC rating: Consultus is rated Good overall. Its latest routine inspection took place on 21 January 2019, with the report published on 20 February 2019. CQC reviewed available information again in July 2023.
• Services: Live-in care, 24-hour care, live-in nursing, waking and sleeping nights, dementia care, Parkinson's care, stroke support, cancer care, palliative care, hospital discharge support, PEG feeding, stoma care, wound care and catheter care.
• Reviews: Consultus has a homecare.co.uk score of 9.4/10 from 78 reviews.
• Pricing: homecare.co.uk lists live-in care fees of £840 to £1,575 per week. The final cost and additional fees depend on whether the introductory or managed service is selected and the level of support required.

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

Alongside fully managed providers, families in Kent 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 connect families with self-employed Caregivers.

This can give families more direct control over who provides their care and can sometimes have a lower headline price. However, more responsibility for managing the ongoing arrangement usually sits with the person receiving care and their family.

An introductory live-in care agency that simply introduces a family to a self-employed Caregiver is not regulated by the CQC as the provider of that care. Some companies, including Consultus and Curam, offer more than one model, so families should check exactly which service they are choosing.

Introductory and Self-Managed Live-in Care Options Compared

Information checked in August 2026. Trustpilot scores, prices and care arrangements can change. Introductory, self-managed and managed services structure their fees and responsibilities differently, so headline prices are not always directly comparable.

Elder

Elder is a nationwide introductory live-in care platform connecting families with vetted, self-employed Caregivers through a central digital service.

• Ownership and model: Digital introductory agency operated by Elder Technologies Limited. Caregivers using its standard service are self-employed.
• Coverage: Nationwide, including Kent and the wider South East.
• Regulation and responsibility: Elder is not CQC regulated as the provider of its standard introductory care arrangement. Families work directly with a self-employed Caregiver, with Elder providing matching, payment and administrative support.
• Caregiver vetting: Elder says checks include an enhanced DBS check, proof of address, right-to-work documentation, professional references and assessment of skills and character. Elder states that around 2% of Caregiver applicants are accepted.
• Services: Live-in care, short-term care, respite care, visiting care, hourly care and support for people living with dementia, reduced mobility and other long-term conditions.
• Reviews and recognition: Elder has a Trustpilot score of 4.7/5 from 873 reviews. It received the Innovation in Home Care Tech award at the Leaders in Care Awards 2025.
• Pricing: Live-in care starts from £1,210 per week. Families should confirm whether the person's care needs fall within the standard package and what additional support may cost.

Curam

Curam is a digital care platform connecting families directly with self-employed Caregivers. It also provides a separate managed care option for families who require greater care planning, coordination and regulated oversight.

• Ownership and model: Curam operates a hybrid model, with a self-managed marketplace alongside a separate managed care service.
• Coverage: UK-wide, including Kent.
• Regulation and responsibility: Under the self-managed model, the family chooses and contracts with a self-employed Caregiver. Under Curam's managed service, the provider takes greater responsibility for assessment, care planning, coordination and monitoring within a regulated service.
• Caregiver vetting: Curam says checks include professional care experience, enhanced DBS checks, right-to-work verification, references, interviews and identity checks.
• Services: Live-in care, hourly care, overnight care, managed home care, dementia support, respite, post-operative care and support for more complex needs.
• Reviews: Curam has a Trustpilot score of 4.4/5 from 615 reviews.
• Pricing: Live-in care generally ranges from £950 to £1,400 per week under the marketplace model. The final amount depends on the chosen Caregiver, care needs and service selected.

Country Cousins

Founded in 1959, Country Cousins is a long-established introductory live-in care agency and forms part of Trinity Homecare Group. It introduces families in Kent to self-employed Caregivers through a central matching team.

• Ownership and model: Introductory agency and part of Trinity Homecare Group. Caregivers are self-employed rather than employed by Country Cousins.
• Coverage: Nationwide live-in care coverage, including Kent and the wider South East.
• Regulation and responsibility: Country Cousins is not CQC regulated as the provider of its standard introductory care arrangement. Families retain greater responsibility for directing and overseeing the placement.
• Caregiver recruitment and matching: Country Cousins says its checks include interviews, DBS or PVG checks, right-to-work verification, professional references, care experience and relevant training evidence.
• Services: Live-in care, respite care, night support, companionship, dementia support, disability care, personal care and help with household tasks.
• Reviews: Country Cousins has a Trustpilot score of 4.6/5 from 129 reviews.
• Pricing: Live-in care starts from around £1,000 per week. Additional agency, travel, food, household, bank holiday or night-time costs may apply, so families should request a complete written breakdown.

How to Choose Between Live-in Care Providers in Kent

Price and review scores are useful comparison points, but they do not tell you how the care will actually work day to day. One of the most important questions 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 headline cost may sometimes be lower. However, the family will usually take on more responsibility for managing the ongoing arrangement.

It is also important to identify which branch or registered service will actually manage the care. This is particularly relevant for franchise organisations such as Home Instead, where CQC ratings, prices and reviews differ between local offices.

Some providers, including Consultus and Curam, offer more than one care model. In these cases, make sure the quotation clearly explains whether you are choosing introductory, self-managed or fully managed care, as the provider's responsibilities and regulatory position will differ.

When comparing live-in care providers in Kent, consider asking:

• Which legal company and CQC-registered service will be responsible for the care?
• Who will oversee the care and how often will they visit or stay in touch?
• Who employs or contracts with the Caregiver?
• Who creates, updates and takes responsibility for the care plan?
• How many clients does each Care Manager oversee?
• How are Caregivers recruited, checked, trained and matched?
• What happens if the regular Caregiver is unavailable or the match does not work?
• Who responds to medication concerns, incidents, safeguarding issues or changes in health?
• What support is available outside normal office hours?
• How much night-time support is included?
• Are travel, food, bank holidays, assessments or registration fees charged separately?
• Can the provider show independent reviews for the exact branch or service that will manage the care?

Frequently Asked Questions About Live-in Care in Kent

Which live-in care providers cover Kent?

Providers offering live-in care across Kent include Unique Senior Care, Trinity Homecare, The Good Care Group, Home Instead and Consultus Care & Nursing. Introductory and self-managed options available in the county include Elder, Curam and Country Cousins.

Coverage varies by provider and postcode, so families should confirm that the company can support their particular area before arranging an assessment.

Is Unique Senior Care's live-in care in Kent regulated by the CQC?

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

Clients in Kent also have regional Care Manager oversight, ongoing care reviews, Caregiver support and access to 24/7 assistance.

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

Trinity Homecare's Edenbridge service is rated Outstanding overall. The Good Care Group's centrally registered English service is also rated Outstanding overall across all five inspection areas.

Unique Senior Care's live-in care service is registered through its Solihull location and is rated Outstanding. Home Instead ratings vary between individual Kent franchises.

Families should check the CQC record of the exact service responsible for their care because a rating held by one branch or registration does not automatically apply to another.

Why do Home Instead's ratings differ across Kent?

Home Instead operates through independently owned franchise businesses. Each local office has its own legal provider, CQC registration, management team and inspection history.

This means a rating held by one Home Instead office does not automatically apply to another. Families should check the CQC profile and reviews for the exact Kent franchise that would manage their care.

Do live-in care providers need to have an office in Kent?

No. A provider can deliver regulated live-in care in Kent through a CQC-registered service based elsewhere, provided the care is delivered under the appropriate regulated service.

However, it is still worth asking where your Care Manager is based, how often they will visit and what regional support is available if something changes.

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. Consultus and Curam, for example, both offer arrangements with different levels of management and regulation. Families should check exactly which service they are choosing.

How much does live-in care cost in Kent?

Live-in care costs vary according to the provider, care model and level of support required. Published prices in this comparison range from lower-cost introductory arrangements to fully managed services costing £1,700 or more per week.

Unique Senior Care's fully managed live-in care starts from £1855 per week for one person and £2310 per week for a couple.

When comparing prices, check exactly what is included. Travel, food, Caregiver breaks, bank holidays, night-time support, assessment fees and replacement cover can be handled differently between providers.

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

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

If a company offers more than one care model or operates through franchises, make sure you are comparing the exact service you would actually receive.

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

Unique Senior Care provides fully managed live-in care across Kent through a CQC-regulated service, with regional Care Manager oversight.

Our model includes 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 independently owned and publish our starting live-in care prices.

Other Kent providers have different structures, including locally registered services, franchise networks, national managed services and providers offering both introductory and managed arrangements. Comparing those practical differences can be more useful than relying on one rating or review score alone.

Not Sure Whether It's Time to Consider Care?

If you're researching live-in care because you've started to notice changes in someone you care about, it can be difficult to know whether they now need more support or whether there are smaller steps you could consider first.

Our Is It Time for Care? assessment asks 14 straightforward questions about everyday life and safety to help you think through what has changed.

• 14 straightforward questions about daily life and safety.
• Instant results with a personalised care needs score.
• A Care Radar showing the areas where additional support may be worth considering.

The result is intended as a practical starting point rather than a clinical assessment. It can help you organise your thoughts and decide what questions to ask next.

Start the Care Assessment

About This Kent 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.

We created this guide to help families compare different approaches to live-in care in Kent 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, review scores, prices and services can change, so families should check the latest information directly before making a decision.

More Help With Live-in Care in Kent

If you're still comparing your options, you can find out more about our live-in care services in Kent or visit our Care Advice Hub for practical information about arranging care.

The right choice will depend on the needs of the person receiving care, the level of management your family wants and the type of service you feel comfortable with. Asking each provider the same practical questions can make those differences much easier to understand.