How Much Does a 24-Hour Live-In Carer Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)

Section 1 — What “24-Hour” Live-In Care Really Costs in 2026

The 2026 Baseline: Understanding the UK Cost Spectrum is a helpful way to frame expectations before comparing providers. For a single person needing daytime assistance plus a sleep-in night (where the carer is allowed to sleep and may be woken a limited number of times), typical weekly fees in many regions range around £1,100–£1,500. Where needs are higher—frequent night disturbances, mobility support requiring two people, or advanced dementia—weekly fees more commonly sit between £1,400–£1,900, with complex packages sometimes exceeding £2,100. Couple care, because it serves two people in the same home, often adds 20–40% to the weekly figure, yet it can still be more economical than paying for two separate placements elsewhere.

It’s important to separate “live-in” from continuously awake care. A single live-in carer can provide comprehensive daytime support and a sleep-in night, but truly “24-hour awake” cover usually requires either a second carer overnight (a “waking night”), or split shifts. Adding waking nights can introduce a distinct nightly fee—commonly £140–£220 per night—pushing the weekly cost higher. Geography also plays a role: London and parts of the South East often command 10–20% premiums due to housing and travel costs, while rural or remote areas may add travel time or mileage expenses.

Here is a quick set of rule-of-thumb examples to translate fees into monthly and annual figures:

– Single person, moderate needs with sleep-in night at £1,300/week ≈ £5,630/month and ≈ £67,600/year.

– Single person, higher needs with frequent nights at £1,750/week ≈ £7,580/month and ≈ £90,900/year.

– Couple care, moderate needs at £1,650/week ≈ £7,150/month and ≈ £85,800/year.

When you read quotes, check what the weekly fee includes. Common inclusions: carer pay, basic coordination or management, and a sleep-in night. Common exclusions or extras: public holiday uplifts, mileage or travel time between assignments, equipment and medical supplies, and waking nights. A clear quote that spells out these boundaries makes it easier to compare offers fairly and to budget without surprises.

Section 2 — How Providers Price Live-In Care

Most households quickly notice Agency vs. Introductory Services: Two Different Price Models, and the differences matter. A fully managed agency employs or directly engages carers, handles vetting, scheduling, supervision, replacements, training standards, and compliance. Introductory services (also called platforms or registries) match you with a self-employed carer; you or your family then manage day-to-day oversight, holiday cover, and any replacements. The weekly fee you see reflects this split in responsibilities as much as it reflects the level of care required.

Typical 2026 ranges look like this for a single person with a sleep-in night:

– Managed agency: roughly £1,200–£1,800 per week, depending on region and complexity.

– Introductory service: roughly £900–£1,400 per week, depending on the carer’s rate and expectations for duties.

Why the gap? Managed agencies bundle in more risk handling—if a carer is ill, they’ll work to replace them; if care needs change, they adjust rotas; if a safeguarding concern arises, they have processes to investigate and respond. Introductory models can be more economical, especially for long-term, stable arrangements, but the family typically organizes cover, negotiates rate changes, and coordinates contingencies.

Beyond the headline price, look for fees and conditions that can tilt the total:

– Onboarding or arrangement costs: some providers apply a one-off setup fee.

– Public holiday uplifts: day rates for bank holidays may be higher than standard days.

– Travel and mileage: rural placements or hospital escort trips may add costs.

– Night policy: how many disturbances are included in a sleep-in before it becomes a waking night.

– Notice periods and minimum terms: early termination or short bookings can carry premiums.

Tax treatment matters too. Most personal care is VAT-exempt, but certain admin or platform fees may not be; always check the invoice breakdown to understand which line items are exempt. Finally, ask what support is available for medication prompts, moving and handling, and infection control practices. Even if you choose an introductory route, clarity over standards and expectations helps you compare like-for-like and avoids gaps in essential support.

Section 3 — What Drives the Price Up or Down

When families ask why quotes can differ by hundreds of pounds per week, the answer usually lies in the Factors That Impact the Final Bill. Providers assess not just hours, but also complexity, risks, and logistics. A compact overview of the main variables can save you time:

– Night routine: peaceful sleep-in versus frequent interventions or full waking nights.

– Complexity: dementia with challenging behaviors, Parkinson’s, stroke aftercare, catheters, or stomas require specific skills.

– Moving and handling: single carer with equipment versus needing two people for safe transfers.

– Location: premiums in high-cost regions; travel time or mileage in rural areas.

– Rota design: one carer on a 2-weeks-on/2-weeks-off pattern versus frequent changes or short-term blocks.

– Household scope: cooking from scratch, laundry, pet care, and housekeeping expectations can add workload.

– Couple care: two care plans in one home can be cost-efficient compared with two separate placements, but still pricier than single-person support.

To make these factors real, here are scenario estimates:

– Scenario A (moderate needs): A widower needing help with medication prompts, meal prep, companionship, light housekeeping, and a sleep-in night with rare wake-ups. Estimated weekly: £1,150–£1,350 (regional differences apply). A few hospital appointments per month might add mileage.

– Scenario B (frequent nights): A person living with mid-to-late-stage dementia, up multiple times at night, requiring reassurance and safety checks. If a sleep-in is no longer appropriate, add waking nights at £140–£220 per night. Weekly total can rise to £1,700–£2,200.

– Scenario C (post-op intensive six-week block): Physio exercises, timed pain relief, and safe transfers with a stand aid. For two weeks of waking nights followed by four weeks of sleep-ins, a blended weekly average might land near £1,600–£1,900.

Small decisions also move the dial. A request for a carer who drives their own vehicle, cooks specific diets, or speaks a particular language narrows the pool and may nudge rates. Conversely, being flexible on start dates and rota patterns can reduce cost. The practical takeaway: map needs honestly, decide on non-negotiables, and invite providers to price both “core” and “if needed” extras so you can plan realistically.

Section 4 — Paying for Live-In Care: State Help and Private Options

For many households, the decisive question is Funding the Cost: Local Authority vs. Private Pay. In broad terms, there are two steps: assessing need and assessing finances. If the local authority agrees that care is needed, it conducts a means test to see what it will contribute. Thresholds, capital limits, and policies differ across the UK nations, so it is important to check current guidance in your area. Where eligible, support may come as a personal budget or direct payments that you can use toward live-in care, though the approved weekly amount might not cover the entire cost of a 24-hour package.

There are also national benefits that many people can claim alongside local funding or private pay. Attendance Allowance (for those over State Pension age) and Personal Independence Payment (for working-age adults) are not means-tested and can help offset weekly outgoings. In cases of significant, ongoing healthcare needs, a separate process—often referred to as NHS Continuing Healthcare—may fully fund care at home if criteria are met, including coordination and clinical input. These pathways have detailed eligibility rules and are subject to assessment; families often benefit from preparing evidence of needs, routines, and risks before assessments.

Private pay remains common, particularly for timely starts or where preferred arrangements exceed public budgets. Households typically combine income, savings, and investments with benefits. Some explore financial products such as care fees annuities; others consider releasing equity from property after receiving independent advice. Practical budgeting steps include:

– Requesting itemized quotes that separate core fees from add-ons (nights, travel, holidays).

– Building a monthly view that includes household running costs (utilities, council tax, food) alongside care fees.

– Creating a contingency of 10–15% for changes in needs or public holiday uplifts.

– Reviewing annually (or sooner after a hospital stay) to adjust the plan.

Finally, families sometimes blend approaches—for example, using direct payments toward part of the weekly fee and topping up privately to secure a particular rota or specialist skill set. Clear paperwork, receipts, and regular check-ins with your social care contact help keep everything aligned and auditable.

Section 5 — Is Live-In Care Worth It Compared with a Care Home?

When evaluating value, many families want a Value Comparison: Live-In Care vs. Residential Care Homes that goes beyond headline prices. National averages vary, but a private residential placement may run roughly £800–£1,200 per week for standard residential care and more where nursing input is required. That figure often includes accommodation, meals, activities, and utilities. Live-in care, by contrast, keeps you at home and tailors support one-to-one; the weekly fee may look similar or higher depending on needs, but you continue to cover household costs such as energy, food, and maintenance.

To compare like-for-like, consider the total cost of living:

– Live-in care includes a one-to-one carer and a sleep-in night as standard; waking nights are extra. Add typical household costs (utilities, food, council tax, insurance, minor home adaptations).

– Residential care bundles accommodation, meals, and utilities. Optional extras can include hairdressing, trips, or higher fees for larger rooms.

For couples, live-in care frequently offers strong value because one weekly fee supports two people, whereas residential placements are priced per person. Continuity is another consideration: staying near familiar neighbors, keeping pets, and following personal routines can reduce disruption, especially for those living with cognitive impairment. Some families also value having control over meals, bedtimes, and visitors, which can be more flexible at home.

Yet there are scenarios where a residential setting is more suitable: when two-person assistance is required around the clock, when the home is unsuitable for safe care and cannot be adapted, or when frequent, complex clinical interventions are needed. In such cases, the fully staffed, continuously awake model of a care home may be more appropriate. The practical way forward is to list your priorities—safety, companionship, budget, location—and obtain itemized quotes from both options. By comparing the whole picture, including hidden extras, you can judge value with clarity rather than relying on headline figures alone.