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.
How much does live-in care cost per week?
Live-in care costs between £1,250 and £1,350 a week. The price is not fixed: it depends on who covers the live-in carer's 2-hour break each day. If a family member covers the break, the fee is £1,250 a week. If Reedsfield provides the cover, it is £1,350 a week. Your agreement sets out the fee that applies to you.
How does the carer's break affect the price?
The live-in carer takes a 2-hour break every day. If your family covers that break, the weekly fee is £1,250. If Reedsfield provides the cover, the weekly fee is £1,350. Groceries and approved expenses are separate. Any fee change is agreed in writing.
What does the weekly fee include?
Personal care, meals, companionship, medication support and the other tasks in the assessed care plan. Reedsfield arranges replacement carers when needed.
What do we need to provide for the live-in carer?
A suitable private bedroom and reasonable use of the bathroom, kitchen, laundry facilities and utilities at no charge. The carer brings or buys their own food; there is no food allowance.
Is live-in care 24-hour care?
No. The carer lives in the home and is there for the day, and sleeps at night with occasional assistance as set out in the care plan.
What happens if the carer is woken often at night?
If the carer is woken or has to get up more than three times in a night, Reedsfield promptly assesses whether separate waking-night care or a staffed 24-hour rota is needed. That would be outside the weekly fee. Any extra staffing and price is agreed in writing before it starts, and extra charges are never added automatically.
How do I pay?
Weekly in advance by bank transfer. Partial weeks are charged proportionately. Groceries and approved expenses are separate.
Can the price change?
Extra services or fee changes must be agreed in writing, and Reedsfield gives at least 28 days' notice of a proposed fee increase.
What if care ends or is paused, for example during a hospital stay?
Hospital stays are normally not charged, and any charge during hospital stays or other absences is agreed in writing. The client can end care with 14 days' written notice. Reedsfield normally gives at least 28 days' notice where it can no longer safely provide care, and helps arrange a safe handover. The agreement ends on the client's death without further notice fees, and unused advance payments are refunded, subject to lawful agreed charges.
Is there a cooling-off period?
Yes, 14 days from the agreement. If care starts at the client's express request during that time, only care delivered and approved expenses are payable on cancellation. Statutory rights are not affected.
Who is responsible for the fees?
A family contact is not automatically responsible for fees or authorised to make decisions for the client. The agreement records who signs.
How much does hourly home care cost?
Weekday daytime home care is £29.50 an hour. Night sit-in and waking-night rates are given on request.
How do I start?
We start with a free care assessment, then agree a care plan with you. You complete and sign the agreement, and the 14-day cooling-off period applies.
Do you cover my area?
We cover Egham, Staines, Ashford, Sunbury, Shepperton and Virginia Water.
How can I fund care?
Many families pay for care privately. Funding rules differ, so we explain how our fees work during your free assessment. You can also ask your local council about a needs assessment and a financial assessment.
How much does a night carer cost?
It depends on whether the carer sleeps or stays awake, and how many nights are needed. We quote after the free assessment. Our weekday daytime home care starts from £29.50 an hour.
