When someone needs support throughout the day and night, a live-in carer can be the most reassuring option for families in London. Rather than moving into a care home, your loved one stays in their own surroundings with a professional carer who lives in the property and is available around the clock.
This guide covers what live-in care in London includes, what it typically costs, the practical differences between a managed agency and an introductory platform, how to fund it and the steps involved in getting started.
What Is Live-In Care?
Live-in care means a trained carer moves into the person’s home and provides one-to-one support on a full-time basis. The carer is there for personal care, household tasks, companionship and any specialist needs such as dementia or mobility support. It is a genuine alternative to residential care, and for many families it is the preferred choice because the person can stay in their own home, keep their routines and remain close to their community.
A live-in carer is not the same as a waking-night or sleeping-night carer. Live-in carers are entitled to breaks during the day and sleep during the night. If the person needs active support overnight, a separate night carer or a second live-in carer on rotation is usually arranged alongside.
What Does Live-In Care Include?
A standard live-in care package in London typically covers help with personal care, medication management, meal preparation, housekeeping, companionship, and mobility support. Personal care includes help with bathing, showering, dressing, grooming, toileting and continence support, delivered with dignity and at the person’s own pace; medication management includes prompting and administering medication on time, keeping records and liaising with the GP or pharmacy. Meal preparation involves planning menus, shopping for groceries, cooking fresh meals and catering to dietary requirements or cultural preferences; housekeeping includes laundry, ironing, vacuuming, changing bed linen and keeping the home clean and comfortable.
Companionship is provided as part of companionship care at home and includes conversation, shared activities, trips to local parks or cafes, and emotional support that helps combat loneliness and isolation; mobility support involves assistance moving around the home safely, transferring from bed to chair, and using any mobility or hoisting equipment. Companionship care can also include accompaniment to appointments and outings, including hospital appointments, GP visits or social events across London. In addition, live-in care can include pet care, Feeding, walking and looking after family pets so they can stay in the home.
For people living with conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s or recovering from a stroke, carers with specialist training can be matched to provide the right level of clinical and behavioural support. You can read more in our guide to live-in dementia care in London.
How Much Does Live-In Care Cost in London?
London rates are typically 10 to 20 percent higher than the rest of the UK because of higher staff wages and living costs. The table below gives a general guide to weekly live-in care costs in the capital.
| Level of Care | Typical Weekly Cost | What It Covers |
| Companionship and household help | £1,000 to £1,400 | Light personal care, meal prep, housekeeping and social company |
| Standard personal care | £1,200 to £1,600 | Full personal care, medication, meals, mobility help and daily routines |
| Complex or specialist care | £1,500 to £2,000+ | Advanced dementia, Parkinson’s, palliative support or catheter management |
| Couples care | £1,400 to £1,700 | One carer supporting two people at the same address |
These figures are a guide rather than fixed prices. The final cost depends on the borough, the complexity of care needs and whether you use a managed agency or an introductory platform.
Managed Agency or Introductory Platform?
The way you source live-in care has a significant impact on both cost and responsibility.
Fully Managed Agency
A managed provider employs the carer directly, handles payroll, background checks, training and CQC compliance. If the regular carer is unwell or takes holiday, the agency arranges replacement cover automatically. Weekly fees typically start at £1,350 to £1,675 depending on care complexity.
Introductory Platform
An introductory platform matches you with a self-employed carer. You contract with the carer directly, which brings the weekly cost down to around £1,000 to £1,150. However, you take on the legal responsibility of managing their pay, tax, insurance and arranging cover during absences.
Families dealing with complex health conditions or those who live far away and cannot step in quickly tend to benefit from the security of a managed agency. Where needs are more straightforward and a family member can oversee day-to-day arrangements, a platform can offer meaningful savings.
How to Fund Live-In Care
Live-in care is a significant commitment, but there are several ways to manage the cost, including self-funding, local authority support, NHS Continuing Healthcare, and Attendance Allowance. Most families in London pay privately (self-fund); if the person’s savings and assets exceed £23,250, they are expected to fund their own care. Importantly, the value of the family home is not included in the financial assessment when care is provided at home rather than in a residential setting.
If you are looking into local authority support, contact your London borough’s adult social services to request a free Care Needs Assessment. If your assets fall below the threshold, the council may provide a personal budget or direct payments towards care. In addition, if the person has a severe, complex or unpredictable health condition, their care may be fully funded by the NHS (NHS Continuing Healthcare) regardless of personal wealth; a clinical assessment determines eligibility.
Finally, Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with daily living. The higher rate provides up to 114.10 pounds per week and can be put towards live-in care costs. Even if you are self-funding, requesting a council assessment is worthwhile. It is free, creates a formal care record and may unlock additional entitlements.
How to Arrange Live-In Care in London
Getting started with live-in care involves a series of practical steps. Firstly, assess your needs; note the tasks the person needs help with, any medical conditions, mobility limitations and their daily routine. This forms the foundation of the care plan. Secondly, request a council assessment. Even if paying privately, a free needs assessment from your local borough creates an official record and may identify funding you were not aware of. Thirdly, shortlist providers; look for CQC-registered agencies in your area, compare reviews, and ask how they match carers to clients. If considering a platform, check that carers have current DBS clearance and references.
It is also important to arrange a home consultation. A good provider will visit the home, meet the person, discuss preferences and produce a written care plan before care begins. Finally, prepare the home. The carer will need a clean, private bedroom with basic furniture, access to a bathroom, Wi-Fi and meals. Live-in carers are entitled to at least 14 hours of breaks per week, so confirm how break periods will be covered if the person needs continuous supervision.
About Tidal Living
Tidal Living is a London-based specialist home care provider offering hourly home care, companionship care, overnight support and dedicated dementia care across London boroughs. Every care plan is built around the individual, delivered by trained, DBS-checked carers and supported by a team that understands what families are going through.
If you are considering live-in care in London, we are happy to talk through your options. Visit tidalliving.co.uk or call us for a free, no-obligation conversation about the right level of care for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is live-in care cheaper than a care home?
In many cases, yes. A care home in London typically costs 1,200 to 1,800 pounds per week for a single room. Live-in care starts from around 1,000 pounds per week for companionship-level support and allows the person to stay in their own home. For couples, the savings can be substantial because one live-in carer can support two people at the same address.
How long does it take to arrange?
Most managed agencies can have a carer in place within five to ten working days. In urgent situations, some providers offer an emergency placement within 24 to 48 hours. Introductory platforms can sometimes match faster because you select from available carers directly.
Can live-in care support someone with dementia?
Yes. Many live-in carers have specialist dementia training. They can help manage behaviour changes, support daily routines and reduce the confusion that often comes with unfamiliar environments. Our guide to live-in dementia care covers this in detail.
What happens when the carer needs a break?
Live-in carers are legally entitled to rest periods. With a managed agency, a replacement carer is arranged automatically during holidays or days off. If you use a platform, organising cover is your responsibility. Some families combine live-in care with hourly visiting care to cover break times.
Can I arrange live-in care on a temporary basis?
Absolutely. Temporary live-in care is common after a hospital discharge, during a family holiday or as a trial before committing to a longer arrangement. It also works well as a form of respite care when a primary family carer needs a break.
