Hiring a Live-In Carer Directly: Pros and Cons for Families
Disclaimer: This article is based on practical experience and client feedback. It does not constitute legal or HR advice.
As families explore live-in care options in the UK, many consider hiring a carer directly rather than through an agency. This approach can offer cost savings and greater flexibility, but it also comes with legal and administrative responsibilities that are often underestimated. Here’s what you need to know before making a decision.
Benefits of Hiring a Live-In Carer Directly
1. Lower Costs
One of the biggest advantages is cost efficiency. Agencies typically charge fees for recruitment, administration, and overheads. By hiring directly, families can often negotiate a more competitive rate.
Important: Even if a carer claims to be self-employed, HMRC may still classify you as their employer—meaning you’ll need to handle tax and National Insurance obligations.
2. Personalised Care
Direct employment allows you to choose a carer who matches your loved one’s personality and care needs. This can lead to stronger relationships and continuity of care.
However, agencies often provide trained and vetted carers, which can be reassuring for families managing complex health conditions.
3. Greater Control
Hiring directly gives you full control over:
- Working hours
- Duties and responsibilities
- Holiday arrangements
But with control comes responsibility. If you are considered the employer, you must:
- Register with HMRC
- Pay tax and NI contributions
- Provide holiday and sick pay
- Ensure health and safety compliance
- Hold Employers’ Liability Insurance
- Manage redundancy if the role ends
Risks and Challenges of Direct Employment
1. Employer Status
Many families assume that if a carer is self-employed, they avoid employer obligations. In reality, HMRC may decide otherwise based on working patterns and control. Failure to comply can lead to fines and legal action.
2. No Backup for Holidays or Illness
Agencies usually provide replacement carers when someone is unavailable. If you hire directly, you’ll need a contingency plan to avoid gaps in care.
3. Recruitment and Vetting
Direct hiring means handling:
- Advertising and interviews
- Reference checks
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks
- Right-to-work verification
Mistakes here can lead to serious legal and safeguarding issues.
4. Legal and Financial Responsibilities
Employing someone directly involves managing:
- Contracts and grievance procedures
- Compliance with health and safety standards
- Payroll and pension obligations
These tasks can be complex, especially in a home setting.
Making an Informed Choice
Direct employment can deliver personalised care and cost savings, but it requires commitment and planning. Before deciding:
- Assess your ability to manage payroll and compliance
- Plan for cover during holidays and illness
- Consider whether agency support offers greater peace of mind
Seeking professional advice on employment law and tax obligations is strongly recommended. Payroll services or HR platforms can help simplify administration.
Key Takeaway
Hiring a live-in carer directly offers flexibility and control, but it comes with significant responsibilities. For some families, this approach works well. For others, the structure and reliability of an agency may be the better option.
For more information visit:
Carers at Home
https://www.carersathome.com
01483 899 350
37/38 Bridge Street, Godalming, Surrey
Carers at Home was established in 2007 to provide home care in Godalming and the surrounding areas, Carers at Home is a care agency now specialising in providing home care in Surrey and Hampshire and live in care across the south of England including Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Wiltshire.
Carers at Home care agency provides assistance to people allowing them to remain living at home. Clients are given the extra help they need in maintaining their everyday life.
Carers at Home’s experienced and well trained staff offer home care, live-in care and companionship which allows people to live a normal and happy life in the comfort of their own home.
Carers at Home’s home care and live-in care services promote independence. It’s at home where quality of life is enhanced without the stress of interrupting routines and changes in daily habits. Companionship is as important as health care, helping to enable clients to remain independent
The most common CQC regulated home care and live-in services Carers at Home provides for clients include help with getting up and/or going to bed, washing, bathing/showering, meal preparation and diet monitoring. For many clients we will prompt or administer their prescribed medication.
Other non-medical services include; light housework, cooking, laundry, shopping and errands. It’s often the little things in life that some of our clients miss and need the most however.
Companionship and human interaction are among our most important duties. Just chatting or reading to a client helps them not to feel isolated from everything that’s going on around them.
Carers at Home provides CQC regulated home care and live-in care and support services to seniors, people with disabilities or special needs, people coping at home after hospitalisation or illness, or anyone requiring help in the home.
Home care services can be arranged for a few hours a week or everyday, sometimes four times a day. Short term respite relief or longer term care is available seven days a week or live-in care, including public holidays.
• Senior Citizens
• People with disabilities
• People with special needs
• Patients recovering from a hospital visit
• Patients recovering from an illness
• Anyone requiring help in the home
• A few hours a week
• A few days a week
• Seven days a week
• Several times a day
• Short term
• Long term
• Bank holiday
To learn more visit www.carersathome.com or call Carers at Home Godalming on 01483 899 350 of Carers at Home Odiham on 01276 748 270
For more information on live in care agency contact us anytime.
