If you've typed 'care at home near me' into Google, you're probably going through one of the most stressful decisions a family can face. You need help for someone you love — and you need to know they'll be safe. This guide will walk you through exactly how to find home care near you, what to look for, and how to make sure you're only dealing with agencies that are properly registered and inspected.
What is home care?
Home care — also called domiciliary care — means a trained carer visits your loved one at their own home. It could be help with washing and dressing in the morning, medication reminders, preparing meals, or simply companionship. The big benefit is that your loved one stays in their own home, in familiar surroundings, with their independence intact.
Why CQC registration matters
In England, any agency that provides personal care must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) — the independent regulator of health and social care. The CQC inspects agencies regularly and gives them a rating: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate.
On CareAH, every agency you see has been verified against the CQC register. Agencies rated Inadequate or that have been deregistered are filtered out automatically. You'll only ever see agencies that are legally allowed to care for your family member.
How to find home care near you — step by step
- Enter your postcode at careah.co.uk — we'll show you all CQC-registered agencies within reach
- Filter by care type — personal care, dementia care, live-in care, and more
- Read real reviews from verified families who have used that agency
- Send a care request directly — agencies respond with availability and pricing
- Book, receive care, and pay — all in one place. No phone tag, no chasing.
What questions should I ask a home care agency?
- What is your current CQC rating?
- Do you carry out DBS checks on all carers?
- Will my loved one have a consistent carer, or will it change?
- How do you handle emergencies or missed visits?
- Do you use Electronic Call Monitoring (ECM) to verify visits?
All agencies on CareAH use GPS clock-in and Electronic Call Monitoring — so every visit is timestamped and location-verified. You'll always know a carer arrived and when they left.
How much does home care cost?
Costs vary by location and care type, but as a rough guide you can expect to pay between £18 and £30 per hour for home care in England. London and the South East tend to be at the higher end. We've written a full breakdown in our home care cost guide — including average rates by county.