Live-in care in the UK varies by provider and by how complex the support required is. Below is an honest breakdown of what you'll actually pay with Reedsfield Care, what is and isn't included, and how it compares with moving into a care home.
Weekly live-in fees vary with care complexity — standard support (personal care, meals, medication, mobility, companionship) is at the lower end, and complex support (PEG feeding, advanced dementia, end-of-life) sits higher and needs a specialist-trained carer. Couples are typically covered by one carer supporting both partners.
Reedsfield Care's live-in fees start at £1,150/week. There are no setup fees, no agency fees, no minimum contract length. You can pause, scale up, or stop with one week's notice. Call 01784 740078 for a written quote tailored to your situation.
Live-in care from £1,150/week (one person, standard support)
Couples: one carer supporting both partners — quoted per assessment
Complex / advanced dementia / end-of-life: quoted per assessment
Hourly visits: from £22/hr
Night sit-in and waking-night rates on request
What's included in the weekly fee
Reedsfield's weekly live-in fee covers the full carer placement: 24-hour presence, all personal and domestic support, medication management, meal preparation, light housekeeping, GP and pharmacy liaison, weekly supervision visits and full CQC-regulated oversight. The carer's accommodation and food are provided by you (a private room and shared meals).
DBS-checked, fully trained carer in your home 24/7
Personal care, meals, medication, mobility support
Care plan written and reviewed by a qualified care manager
Out-of-hours on-call manager (07403 862037)
Carer breaks covered by a relief carer at no extra charge
Is live-in care cheaper than a care home?
For a single person, live-in and a mid-range care home are usually broadly comparable in cost. For couples, live-in is often dramatically cheaper because one carer supports both partners, versus paying two care-home placements.
Beyond cost, live-in keeps you in familiar surroundings, with one consistent carer and no waiting lists. For most families this is the deciding factor, not price.
Can the NHS or local authority pay?
Three main funding routes are worth checking: NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) for primarily health-driven needs (fully funded if eligible), NHS-Funded Nursing Care (a weekly contribution towards the nursing element), and local-authority means-tested support. Attendance Allowance is non-means-tested and worth applying for. We can talk you through eligibility on a free call — current rates and thresholds are published on gov.uk.
Frequently asked questions
Is live-in care 24/7?
Yes — your carer lives in the home and is available throughout the day and overnight. They have 2 hours of break time each day, usually when you're resting.
Do I have to pay tax or National Insurance for the carer?
No. Reedsfield Care is a fully managed CQC-regulated provider — the carer is employed and insured by us, not by you.
Can I try it for a week first?
Yes. Many families start with a 1–2 week trial after hospital discharge or a fall. There's no minimum contract.
Will I have the same carer every day?
Yes. Your live-in carer typically works in 2–4 week rotations with a regular relief carer, so you only ever know two people.
