Hello Carer is the UK's leading platform for connecting families with quality care providers. We make it easy to search, compare, and find the right care solution for your loved ones, whether that's a care home, home care agency, or individual carer.

Yes, Hello Carer is completely free for families and individuals searching for care. We're committed to helping you find the right care without any cost to you. Care providers pay a subscription to be listed on our platform.

All care providers on our platform go through a verification process that includes:

• Checking CQC (Care Quality Commission) registration status
• Verifying business credentials and insurance
• Reviewing their inspection reports and ratings
• Monitoring ongoing compliance with care standards

You can find a wide range of care services including:

• Residential Care Homes - Full-time residential care with support
• Nursing Homes - 24-hour nursing care for complex medical needs
• Home Care - Care delivered in your own home
• Live-in Care - 24-hour care from a carer living in your home
• Dementia Care - Specialised care for those with memory conditions
• Respite Care - Short-term care to give family carers a break

You can reach our support team through:

• Email: support@hellocarer.co.uk
• Phone: 0800 123 4567 (Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm)
• Live Chat: Available on our website during business hours
• Contact Form: Visit our Contact Us page

Absolutely! We encourage families to share their experiences. You can submit a review for any care provider you've had experience with. Reviews help other families make informed decisions.

Use our search page to find care providers. You can:

1. Enter a location (postcode, town, or city)
2. Select the type of care you need
3. Filter by ratings, price, and specialisations
4. View detailed profiles and reviews

When evaluating care homes, consider:

• CQC Rating - Look for homes rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding'
• Specialisations - Ensure they can meet specific care needs
• Staff Ratios - Higher ratios mean more personalised attention
• Facilities - Check amenities and room options
• Reviews - Read experiences from other families
• Location - Consider proximity to family and friends

Yes, and we strongly encourage it. Most care homes welcome visits and will arrange a tour. During your visit:

• Observe how staff interact with residents
• Ask about daily routines and activities
• Check the cleanliness and atmosphere
• Speak with current residents if possible
• Request a meal to sample the food quality

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. They inspect and rate care providers on:

• Outstanding - Exceptional care that is innovative
• Good - Safe, effective, and responsive care
• Requires Improvement - Not meeting all standards
• Inadequate - Significant concerns about safety

All care homes in England must be CQC registered, and their ratings are publicly available.

The timeline varies depending on your needs and urgency:

• Emergency placement: 24-72 hours (limited options)
• Standard search: 2-4 weeks (recommended)
• Thorough search: 1-3 months (allows for multiple visits)

We recommend starting your search as early as possible to have more options and make an informed decision.

While we don't make specific recommendations, our platform provides:

• Verified reviews from real families
• CQC ratings and inspection reports
• Detailed provider profiles
• Comparison tools to help you decide

Our Care Advice Hub also offers guides on choosing the right care.

Care costs vary significantly based on location and type:

| Type of Care | Average Weekly Cost | |--------------|---------------------| | Residential Care | £700 - £1,000 | | Nursing Care | £900 - £1,400 | | Dementia Care | £800 - £1,200 | | Home Care (per hour) | £18 - £25 | | Live-in Care | £900 - £1,500 |

Costs are approximate and vary by region. London and the South East tend to be higher.

Care can be funded through several sources:

• Self-funding - If you have savings or assets above the threshold
• Local Authority - Means-tested support for those who qualify
• NHS Continuing Healthcare - Fully funded for those with primary health needs
• Mixed funding - A combination of personal funds and council support

The local authority assesses your financial situation to determine funding eligibility. As of 2024:

• Assets above £23,250 - You'll be expected to self-fund
• Assets between £14,250 - £23,250 - You may receive partial funding
• Assets below £14,250 - The council will pay most care costs

Your home is usually excluded from the assessment if a spouse or dependent relative lives there.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is fully funded care arranged and paid for by the NHS. It's available to people with:

• Complex medical conditions
• Rapidly changing or unpredictable health needs
• High nursing requirements

A healthcare professional assesses eligibility through the CHC checklist and full assessment process.

Yes, there are several benefits you may be entitled to:

• Attendance Allowance - Up to £101.75/week for those over 65
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - For those under 65
• Council Tax reduction - If the person has dementia or mental impairment
• NHS-funded Nursing Care - A contribution towards nursing costs in care homes

If your savings fall below the threshold while in care:

1. Contact your local authority for a financial assessment
2. The council will assess your care needs
3. You may qualify for council-funded care
4. The home may need to continue at a lower rate

Planning ahead is important - speak to a financial adviser if you're concerned about future funding.

Care Homes (Residential Care)

• Provide accommodation, meals, and personal care
• Help with daily activities like washing, dressing, and medication
• Don't have qualified nurses on-site 24/7
• Suitable for those needing support but not medical care

Nursing Homes

• Have registered nurses on duty 24 hours a day
• Can provide complex medical care and clinical treatments
• Suitable for those with ongoing health conditions
• Often more expensive than residential care

Live-in care is when a professional carer moves into your home to provide round-the-clock support. Benefits include:

• Remaining in familiar surroundings
• One-to-one personalised care
• Maintaining independence and routines
• Often more cost-effective than nursing homes for couples

Learn more about live-in care →

Dementia care is specialised support for those with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. It includes:

• Safe, secure environments to prevent wandering
• Staff trained in dementia care techniques
• Memory-stimulating activities
• Personalised routines to reduce confusion
• Validation therapy and reminiscence approaches

Learn more about dementia care →

Respite care is short-term care that gives family carers a break. It can be:

• A few hours of home care
• A week or more in a care home
• Regular scheduled breaks

Respite is essential for carer wellbeing and helps prevent burnout.

Learn more about respite care →

Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life for those with serious, life-limiting illnesses. It provides:

• Pain management and symptom control
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Support for family members
• Coordination with hospice services

Learn more about palliative care →

Domiciliary care, also called home care, is professional care delivered in your own home. Services include:

• Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting)
• Medication management
• Meal preparation
• Companionship and social support
• Light housekeeping

Visits can range from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on needs.

Yes, care needs often evolve. Many people start with home care and transition to residential or nursing care as needs increase. Some care homes offer "dual registration," allowing residents to stay as their nursing needs grow.

Getting listed is simple:

1. Visit our Advertise with Us page
2. Choose your subscription plan
3. Complete your provider profile
4. Upload photos and service information
5. Start receiving enquiries

Listing on Hello Carer gives you:

• Visibility - Reach families actively searching for care
• Credibility - Display your CQC rating and verified reviews
• Lead Generation - Receive direct enquiries from interested families
• Analytics - Track profile views and engagement
• Support - Dedicated account management team

We offer flexible subscription plans to suit different needs:

• Basic - Essential listing with key information
• Enhanced - Featured placement and additional photos
• Premium - Priority ranking and promotional features

View our pricing options →

Yes, we encourage providers to engage with reviews. You can:

• Thank families for positive feedback
• Address concerns raised in reviews
• Provide context or updates
• Show you value family input

Responding professionally to reviews builds trust and improves your reputation.

Log in to your provider dashboard to update:

• Contact details and availability
• Services offered and specialisations
• Photos and virtual tour
• Pricing information
• Staff qualifications

Changes typically go live within 24 hours after review.

A complete profile should include:

• About Us - Your story, values, and approach
• Services - Detailed description of care types offered
• Facilities - Amenities, room types, outdoor spaces
• Activities - Daily programs and entertainment
• Staff - Qualifications and training
• Photos - High-quality images of your facilities
• CQC Rating - Your current inspection rating

Visit our Jobs page to browse care positions. You can:

• Search by location and job type
• Filter by salary range and hours
• View detailed job descriptions
• Apply directly through our platform

Entry requirements vary by role:

Care Assistant (Entry Level)

• No formal qualifications required
• Caring nature and good communication
• Training provided on the job

Senior Carer

• Care Certificate or NVQ Level 2
• Experience in care settings
• First Aid certification

Registered Nurse

• NMC registration
• Nursing degree (Adult, Mental Health, or Learning Disabilities)
• Relevant clinical experience

You can submit your CV to be considered for care positions. Our team reviews submissions and matches you with suitable opportunities.

Tips for a strong care CV:

• Highlight relevant experience and training
• Include any certifications (Care Certificate, NVQ)
• Mention soft skills like empathy and patience
• Provide references from previous roles

Read our CV writing tips →

The Care Certificate is a set of 15 standards that health and social care workers complete at the start of their career. It covers:

• Understanding your role
• Duty of care
• Safeguarding adults and children
• Communication
• Privacy and dignity
• Infection prevention
• Health and safety

New care workers typically complete this within 12 weeks of starting.

Care offers excellent progression opportunities:

1. Care Assistant → Entry point
2. Senior Carer → Team leadership
3. Care Coordinator → Rota and care planning
4. Deputy Manager → Operational management
5. Registered Manager → Running a care service
6. Regional/Area Manager → Multi-site oversight

Continuing education can lead to nursing, social work, or occupational therapy.

Yes, care providers are required to provide ongoing training including:

• Moving and handling
• Medication administration
• Safeguarding
• First aid and emergency procedures
• Condition-specific training (dementia, diabetes, etc.)
• Mental health awareness