b'care worker (who does not need to be registereddo if you are not satisfied with their services. They must with the CQC) or make arrangements with a caregive you this information by law. The care provider will agency direct. This gives you more choice in whoalso need to check, at least twice a year, that you are provides support to you, and some care workers orsatisfied with the services you are receiving, and they agencies may specialise in supporting people withwill review these with you.complex needs and dementia care if you need this.#Employ a personal assistantif you receive aNon-regulated services direct payment from us, you can use it to employSome providers do not need to register with and be a personal assistant to support you with variousinspected by a regulatory body such as the Care aspects of daily life. Quality Commission, as they do not offer personal care, #Companies providing personal care (who must besuch as washing and dressing. These non-regulated registered with the CQC)these are listed in thisproviders offer help with shopping, cleaning and guide on pages 48 to 66. You can contact themhousehold tasks, and could also accompany you when direct to find out more about their services. They willyou are out and about.be happy to meet you to discuss your needs. Non-regulated providers do not have to employ their #Live-in carerslive-in carers provide support tostaff and often act as introductory agents, providing meet your needs, including providing personal careworkers to carry out tasks around your home. This and companionship. This can often help you to staymeans that you, as the customer, may become in your own home. You can find a list of live-in carethe employer, and you need to understand the providers on pages 66 to 72. responsibilities that this involves (for example, when paying wages, and dealing with tax and National How much will it cost? Insurance contributions).Each year, the Homecare Association publishYou can expect:calculations on the minimum price for homecare. From#the provider to have suitably qualified and skilled April 2022, the Homecare Association has publishedstaff to meet your needs;this as 23.20 an hour. However, care and support at home companies all charge different rates, and the#your support to be provided at an agreed time and amount you are charged will depend on the service youthe tasks you have arranged to be carried out to a need and when you need it. If you are looking for carehigh standard;or support in your own home from a company providing#the same person to carry out the tasks each time, personal care or a personal assistant, you couldunless they are unwell, in which case the provider expect to pay between around 15 and 35 an hourshould arrange for someone else to carry them out; depending on the type of service. Live-in carer costsandcan start from around 800 a week, but again this will#the provider to have a complaints procedure in place.depend on your needs, the service to be provided andYou should ask the provider:the company providing the service.There are standards and regulations in place to#to confirm that they can meet the above make sure that care workers employed by companiesexpectations;providing personal care are capable, trustworthy#for evidence of the skills and experience their staff and reliable. Personal assistants who are privatelyhave;employed are not regulated by the CQC. You can get#whether they employ their staff or if they act as an support and advice on employing a personal assistantintroductory agent;(using your direct payment) from Independent Lives#if they will carry out an assessment of your needs so (see page 17 for contact details), who provide thisthat they understand the support you need (they do service on our behalf. not have to carry out an assessment but it can set If you are buying care privately, contact the providerclear expectations for you and the provider); anddirect to ask about their charges. #whether Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are carried out for their staff (as their service What should I do next? is not regulated, their staff do not have to have When you have found a suitable provider of care andDBS checks, but as they would be supporting you support at home, arrange an appointment for theminyour own home, a DBS check would offer a level to visit your home. Use the checklist at the front of thisofreassurance).guide to make sure you are satisfied with everything theySupported living are offering. It may be helpful to have someone with you at the appointment, such as a relative or friend. Supported-living providers can help people with When you choose your care provider they will give youlifelong disabilities, autism or mental-health needs to their customer (or service user) pack, which will includelive as independently as possible and to be a part of details of what you and they have agreed, how you cantheir community. A wide range of support is provided, make changes to the services you receive, and what toand services are designed around your needs.16Living well in your community'