Home Care Checklist: What to Ask Before Hiring a Home Care Provider in Chichester
Respite care offers UK parents of children with autism a much-needed break and peace of mind. Learn what it is, how it helps, and how to access support today.
Domiciliary home care services have become the preferred choice for many UK families. With over 500,000 people currently receiving some form of home care in the UK, this approach allows individuals to maintain their independence while getting the support they need.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about domiciliary care, from understanding what it involves to finding the right provider and managing costs. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or need to make decisions quickly, this blog got you covered.
Domiciliary care (sometimes called home care or domiciliary support) is professional care provided in a person’s own home. Unlike residential care homes where people move into a care facility, domiciliary home care services bring the support to you or your loved one.
At its heart, domiciliary care aims to help people live independently for as long as possible. It’s based on the belief that with the right support, many people can continue to live in familiar surroundings even when they need help with daily activities.
Domiciliary home care services has evolved significantly in the UK healthcare system. What began primarily as basic help with household chores has developed into comprehensive support that can include complex care needs. Today’s domiciliary care offers flexible, person-centred services tailored to individual requirements.
Not all respite care is created equal. Children with autism often have specific needs that require specialised support:
Personal care services are one of the most common types of domiciliary support. Care visits may range from brief 15-minute check-ins to longer hour-long sessions for full assistance with bathing and dressing. The frequency is tailored to the individual’s care plan, ranging from once a day to several visits throughout the day and night.
Personal care involves assistance with everyday hygiene and mobility tasks. Carers can help with:
All personal care services must be delivered in a way that maintains dignity and promotes independence.
Beyond physical support, carers also provide much-needed social interaction. Companionship care includes:
Many clients report that companionship care visits are the highlight of their day, especially those living alone.
This involves your child or loved one staying with a trained and vetted foster family, offering a homely environment while you take a longer break – often over weekends or school holidays. Benefits include:
Family-based respite care is usually coordinated through social services or local authorities.
Overnight care provides peace of mind during the night hours. It can be:
This service is particularly helpful for individuals who may wake disoriented, need toileting assistance, or have conditions such as dementia or Parkinson’s that worsen at night.
Live-in care offers 24/7 support, with a dedicated carer living in the client’s home. It is a cost-effective alternative to residential care and allows individuals to:
Live-in carers typically rotate in shifts (e.g. 1–2 weeks at a time) and require their own room within the home.
Respite care offers short-term support, either:
It can be arranged for a few hours, a few days, or several weeks, depending on the needs of both the individual and their primary caregiver.
If you’re supporting a child with additional needs, particularly autism, you might also be interested in our related blog: Respite Care for Children with Autism: What UK Parents Need to Know – it covers essential tips, service options, and what to expect as a parent navigating respite support.
Often, the need for home care support creeps up gradually. Recognising the signs early can make all the difference in maintaining a loved one’s safety, dignity, and quality of life. Here are key indicators to watch for:
These changes may signal that everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, or doing laundry are becoming too physically demanding or are being forgotten due to cognitive decline, such as in early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, poor personal hygiene can be one of the first outward signs of cognitive impairment.
These signs suggest challenges with executive function. Our brain’s ability to manage tasks, prioritise, and follow through. These difficulties may stem from physical limitations like arthritis or neurological conditions like Parkinson’s.
Medication errors are a leading cause of hospitalisation among older adults, particularly when multiple medications are involved (a condition known as polypharmacy). According to the NHS, about 1 in 10 hospital admissions for people over 75 are due to medication-related issues.
Prolonged social isolation is more than just emotionally distressing, it’s linked to a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). It’s also strongly associated with cognitive decline and depression.
Caregiver burnout is real. According to Carers UK, over 70% of unpaid carers report feeling exhausted, and nearly half say they have neglected their own health. If you’re struggling to manage alone, seeking domiciliary home care services is not giving up, it’s ensuring both you and your loved one receive the support you need.
There are two main ways to arrange domiciliary home care services in the UK:
The council must assess anyone who appears to need care, regardless of financial status. Even if you’ll end up self-funding, starting with a council assessment ensures professional evaluation of needs.
Even if you’re likely to be self-funding, going through the council ensures a professional evaluation of your needs, and it may unlock access to other community services or equipment.
Many families opt for private arrangements because:
Whether conducted by the council or a private agency, a thorough assessment covers:
Be honest about capabilities and challenges. Downplaying problems won’t help create an effective care plan.
Finding a trustworthy domiciliary care provider in the UK can be challenging given the multitude of options available. One effective approach is to evaluate providers based on their Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings, client reviews, and the range of services they offer.
Choice Care 4U, located in Selsey, West Sussex, stands out as a commendable option for home care services. Here’s an overview of what we offer:
As of the latest inspection on 20 February 2025, published on 9 April 2025, Choice Care 4U Services Ltd received a “Good” rating in all five key areas assessed by the CQC:
This consistent rating across all categories indicates a reliable and well-managed service.
Choice Care 4U provides a comprehensive range of domiciliary home care services tailored to individual needs, including:
Their ability to initiate care within 24 hours of contact demonstrates their responsiveness and commitment to client needs.
Feedback from clients highlights the compassionate and personalised care provided by Choice Care 4U:
“Greatly recommend this care company. The office staff were always very helpful and responsive. The carers themselves – wow what a bunch of lovely ladies. My mum adored them and they always made her feel comfortable and took the time to chat to her as well as see to her needs. I always felt relaxed in the knowledge that mum was being looked after with compassion and kindness. It was really special that some of them were able to come and pay their respects at mum’s funeral – she would have loved that! Thanks to all at ChoiceCare4u.” – Emma Caldwell
“The care, compassion and empathy afforded to my mother and my disabled sister, over many years, has been second to none. All of the carers have been truly wonderful and we will miss seeing them. Administratively, any correspondence has been dealt with efficiently and speedily. I cannot recommend this company enough.” – Julie Barker-Muzzell
Be cautious of domiciliary home care services providers who:
Local councils in England assess care needs and financial circumstances to determine eligibility for support:
As of 2024:
Even if you are self-funding, it’s advisable to request a care needs assessment from your local council to establish official recognition of your care needs.
NHS Continuing Healthcare provides fully funded care for individuals with significant health-related needs, regardless of their financial situation.
Eligibility Criteria:
If eligible, the NHS covers the full cost of care, whether at home or in a care facility.
These benefits can help offset care costs and are not affected by savings:
Domiciliary home care services include personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting) and is regulated by the CQC. Home help typically only covers household tasks like cleaning and shopping and isn’t regulated in the same way.
Domiciliary home care services ranges from one short visit weekly to multiple visits daily or live-in care. The number of hours depends on assessed needs, preferences, and budget.
While agencies try to match clients with suitable carers, guaranteeing a specific carer isn’t always possible due to staff scheduling. However, you can request not to have certain carers if there are personality clashes.
Private care can often be arranged within 48-72 hours for urgent situations. Local authority care typically takes longer, sometimes several weeks due to assessment and approval processes.
Most agencies use key safes (secure boxes outside containing a house key) or key holding services. This ensures carers can access the home even if the person can’t answer the door.
Yes, many agencies offer palliative and end-of-life care, often working alongside district nurses and hospice teams to support people who wish to die at home.
Domiciliary home care services offer a valuable middle ground professional support that allows people to remain in their own homes while getting the help they need. It’s not always a perfect solution, but with careful planning, clear communication, and ongoing monitoring, it can significantly improve quality of life for those needing support.
Remember:
The journey through care decisions isn’t always straightforward, but with the right information and support, families can navigate it successfully.
Respite care offers UK parents of children with autism a much-needed break and peace of mind. Learn what it is, how it helps, and how to access support today.
Respite care offers UK parents of children with autism a much-needed break and peace of mind. Learn what it is, how it helps, and how to access support today.
Respite care offers UK parents of children with autism a much-needed break and peace of mind. Learn what it is, how it helps, and how to access support today.