Choosing care at home for yourself or someone you love is a big decision. You are inviting people into your home and trusting them with health, safety and dignity. The right provider makes that decision easier: they listen, explain things clearly and never rush you.
Whether you are arranging care for the first time or thinking about changing provider, these seven questions will help you compare your options with confidence.
1. Are they registered with the CQC, and what is their rating?
In England, any organisation that provides personal care in people’s homes must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care.
You can search for any provider on the CQC website and read its latest inspection report. Each provider is rated Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. The report explains what inspectors found, so it is worth reading beyond the headline rating.
2. Will they assess needs before care starts?
A good provider will want to understand the person before agreeing a plan. Expect a conversation, and usually a visit, covering health, mobility, daily routines, likes and dislikes, and what matters most to the person.
Be cautious of any provider who offers a standard package without asking many questions. Good care starts with listening.
3. How is the care plan written and reviewed?
Ask to see how care plans are written. A good plan is personal: it describes how someone likes to be supported, not just which tasks need doing. It should also be reviewed regularly, and whenever needs change, for example after a fall or a hospital stay.
Ask who you should contact if you want something in the plan changed.
4. Who will the carers be, and how are they trained?
Carers make the biggest difference to the quality of care. Useful questions to ask:
- Are all carers checked with an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check?
- What training do carers complete before they start, and how is it kept up to date?
- Will we see the same carers regularly, so we can build a relationship?
- How are carers supervised and supported?
Consistency matters, especially for people living with dementia, who can find new faces unsettling.
5. How flexible is the service?
Needs change over time. Ask whether visit times can be adjusted, how quickly extra support can be added, and whether the provider also offers services you might need later, such as respite care, night sitting or live-in care.
A provider who can grow with you saves the stress of starting again with someone new.
6. How will they keep the family and other professionals informed?
Good communication gives families peace of mind. Ask how carers record each visit, how and when the family will be updated, and what happens if a carer notices a change in health.
For people with more complex needs, ask how the provider works with GPs, district nurses and other professionals involved in their care.
7. What does it cost, and what is included?
Ask for clear, written pricing before care begins, including any different rates for evenings, weekends or bank holidays, and how much notice is needed to change or cancel visits.
Depending on circumstances, some people pay for care themselves, while others receive help with costs from their local council or the NHS. Your local council can carry out a free needs assessment to see what support may be available. A good provider will be happy to talk you through the options.
Signs you have found the right provider
Beyond the answers themselves, notice how a provider makes you feel. The right one will:
- Listen more than they talk
- Answer questions openly and clearly
- Treat the person needing care with respect, involving them in decisions
- Never pressure you into deciding quickly
Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, it is fine to keep looking.
Ask us anything
At Del Healthcare, we are happy to answer every one of these questions. Get in touch to talk through the care you or your loved one needs, with no obligation.
