When someone you love starts to need care at home, it can be hard to know where to begin. You may be trying to understand what support is needed, how soon care should start and who you would feel comfortable inviting into your loved one’s home. 

Private care can give families more choice over who provides support and when that care takes place. Unlike a traditional agency instead of being assigned a carer, you can look for someone with the right experience, availability and approach for the person receiving care. 

This guide explains how to find a private carer in the UK, what to check before arranging care and how to compare your options. Whether you are searching for a private carers in the UK for the first time or hoping to hire a private carer for Mum, Dad or another loved one, we’re here to help you make a decision that feels safe, practical and reassuring. 

What Is a Private Carer? 

A private carer provides one-to-one support, usually in someone’s own home. This might be an older parent who needs help with daily routines, someone recovering after a hospital stay, or a person living with dementia, reduced mobility, a long-term condition or more complex care needs. 

A private carer may also help with mobility, washing, dressing, preparing meals, helping those in need of care to get back out into the community, support household routines and specialist care, where they have the right experience. For many families, the value of private care is that support can feel more personalised, with the carer getting to know the person’s preferences, routines and what helps them feel comfortable at home. 

Private care can be shaped around the person’s day-to-day life. Some families arrange hourly care for help with meals, medication prompts, personal care or companionship. Others may need overnight care for reassurance during the night, respite care when a family carer needs a break, or live-in care when more regular support is needed. 

Step 1 – Decide What Type of Care You Need 

Before you start searching, it can help to think about what kind of care would make daily life safer, easier or more comfortable. You do not need to have every detail worked out straight away, but a clear starting point will make it easier to find someone suitable. 

Some families only need a few hours of support each week, while others need overnight reassurance, short-term respite care or ongoing help. If your loved one needs regular support throughout the day, live-in care may also be worth considering. 

Think about the practical tasks your loved one needs help with, such as personal care, mobility, meal preparation, medication prompts, companionship, dementia care or support after a hospital stay. It can also be useful to note any preferences that may affect the match, such as location, visit times, whether the carer needs to drive, whether there are pets in the home, or whether a particular language would help your loved one feel more comfortable. 

The clearer you can be about what is needed, the easier it becomes to compare carers, ask the right questions and explain the role before care begins. 

Step 2 – Find Private Carers Near You 

There are several ways to look for private carers. Some families begin by asking friends, neighbours, local community groups or healthcare professionals for recommendations. Others search through directories, local networks or online care platforms. 

Curam connects families with over 10,000 approved Care Professionals across the UK, with an average of 10 years’ care experience and over 7 million care hours delivered through the platform. This gives families a reassuring place to start when they are looking for care that feels local, trusted and suited to their loved one’s needs. With Curam, families can search for trusted, vetted carers by postcode. This makes it easier to find local carers in the right area and compare people based on their experience, availability, rates and the type of care they offer.  

You can read more about how Curam works and how families can search for trusted care at home. 

Step 3 – Compare Carer Profiles and Experience 

Once you have found available carers in the right area, take time to compare their Curam profiles. You can compare their experience, specialities, location, rates and whether they may be suitable for the type of care needed. 

Look for experience that matches your loved one’s individual needs. For example, someone living with dementia may need a carer who understands routine, reassurance and changes in communication. Someone with reduced mobility may need a carer who is confident supporting safe movement around the home. If personal care is needed, it is important to choose someone who can provide this. 

Personality and compatibility also matter. Care is personal, and the right match is not only about qualifications or years of experience. A calm, patient and friendly carer can help someone feel more relaxed, especially if they are nervous about accepting support at home for the first time. 

Step 4 – Check Vetting and verification 

Before arranging care, families should understand what checks have been completed. This may include identity checks, relevant care experience and DBS or PVG information where applicable. 

Care Professionals joining Curam go through our vetting process before they can offer care through the platform. This includes bank-level biometric ID checks, right-to-work checks and DBS or PVG checks where applicable. Our support team also carries out a verification call and reviews the carer’s profile and care experience as part of the approval process. This gives families clearer information when searching for vetted carers in the UK, while still allowing them to choose someone whose experience, availability and approach feel right for their loved one. 

Checks are important, but they should sit alongside experience and overall suitability. A carer still needs to understand the person’s needs, communicate clearly and feel like the right fit for the home and routine. 

If you are arranging care independently outside a platform, you may need to check more of these details yourself. It can also be helpful to keep written notes of what has been checked, what has been agreed and any important information shared before care begins. 

Step 5 – Speak to Potential Carers 

Speaking to a carer before arranging care can make the decision feel more personal and less uncertain. It gives you the chance to explain what support is needed, ask about their experience and understand whether their availability and rates work for your family. 

Where possible, try to speak to more than one suitable carer before deciding. This can help you compare different approaches and avoid feeling rushed into choosing the first person who is available. 

With Curam, families can message carers directly through the app. You can ask about their care background, whether they have supported someone with similar needs and how they would approach your loved one’s routine. 

You can also use CuramMeet, our in-app audio and video call feature, to speak with suitable carers before booking. This can be especially helpful if you are arranging care from a distance or want your loved one to be involved in the conversation. 

Step 6 – Agree the Care Before Starting 

Before care begins, it is important to make sure everyone understands what has been arranged. This includes the days and times of care, the start date, the support needed, the agreed rate and how changes will be managed. 

It can also help to share important details about the person’s routine, mobility, medication prompts, meals, communication style and any specialist needs. Small details can make a big difference, especially if your loved one feels anxious about someone new coming into the home. 

With Curam, families and carers must create and agree a Service Agreement along with an invoice before care begins. This is a requirement, Curam Carer insurance is activated once these agreements have been confirmed. It also helps both clients and carers clearly and quickly see what care has been agreed. 

The first few visits can also be a time to gently review how things are going. Care should always feel safe, respectful and suitable for both the person receiving support, as well as manageable for the family and carer. 

How Much Does a Private Carer Cost in the UK? 

The cost of a private carer in the UK can vary depending on location, care needs, experience, time of day and the type of support required. Hourly, overnight, respite and live-in care are usually priced differently because each arrangement offers a different level of support. 

Carers on Curam set their own rates, allowing families to compare different options before deciding who to contact. Curam’s current hourly care cost guide lists hourly care from £14–£30 per hour, depending on location, visit length, duties and the carer’s rate. 

For more regular support, Curam’s live-in care cost guide explains that live-in care is typically around £950–£1,400 per week, depending on location and the level of support needed. If night-time reassurance is the main concern, Curam’s overnight care guide explains the difference between sleeping night and waking night care. 

When comparing care costs, it helps to consider more than the hourly or weekly rate. Experience, availability, reliability, fees, admin support and the carer’s approach all play a part in finding care that is suitable for your loved one and manageable for your family’s budget. 

Private Carer vs Care Agency 

A traditional care agency generally arranges and manages care workers on behalf of the person receiving care. This may include organising and creating rotas, staffing, and replacement cover when needed. For some families, this can feel reassuring because more of the organisation is handled by the provider, but it can also lack continuity or personalisation. 

Private care can give families more choice over the individual providing support. You may be able to speak directly with carers, compare experience and choose the person who feels like the right match for your loved one. 

With Curam, families can search for and choose trusted self-employed carers directly through the platform. This can offer more control, continuity and personalisation than some traditional care routes, while also giving families support with messaging, service agreements, invoicing and secure payments. 

Neither option is right for every family. The best choice depends on the person’s care needs, as well as how much choice and control you’d like and how involved you or your family would like to be.  

Finding a Private Carer for an Elderly Parent 

Looking for a carer for an elderly parent can feel emotional, especially if Mum or Dad has always been independent. You may also be trying to balance safety with their wish to stay at home and keep the routines that matter to them. 

Private carers for elderly people can support a wide range of care needs, from companionship and meal preparation to personal care, mobility support, dementia care, overnight reassurance or live-in support.  

Where possible, involve your parent in choosing their carer. They may have preferences about who comes into their home, what support they feel comfortable accepting and what kind of personality would help them feel at ease. 

It is also worth thinking about how their needs may change. A few hours of help each week may be enough at first, but support may need to increase after an illness, fall, hospital stay or change in confidence. 

How to Find a Private Carer with Curam 

Curam gives families a simple way to search for trusted private carers near the person who needs support. 

You can enter the postcode where care is needed and browse local carers, or post a care job explaining the support required, location, preferred times and any specialist experience needed, and suitable carers can apply directly. 

From there, you can compare profiles, experience, availability and rates before deciding who to contact. You can also message carers directly, or use CuramMeet, Curam’s in-app audio and video call feature, before booking. This helps you speak with suitable Care Professionals and choose the person who feels right for your family.  

Start searching for trusted private carers near you today. 

Written by: Max Huianu, Marketing Assistant at Curam

Reviewed by: Eve Leefe-Griffiths, Marketing Manager at Curam

Last updated: August 2026 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I find a private carer near me? 

Start your search for a private carer near you on Curam by searching with the postcode where care is needed and compare available local carers 24/7. When comparing carers, you can easily check their profiles to see their experience, availability, rates and relevant care specialities. Families can also connect to carers by posting a care job and available Care Professionals can apply directly. 

How much does a private carer cost? 

The cost of a private carer varies depending on location, care type, experience, visit length and the level of support required. Hourly care through Curam is typically around £14–£30 per hour, while live-in care is typically around £950–£1,400 per week. 

You can read Curam’s latest care cost information to understand typical costs and what may affect the price of care at home. 

What checks should a private carer have? 

Before arranging care, it is important to understand what checks have been completed. This may include identity, relevant care experience and DBS or PVG information where applicable. 

Before they can offer care through the platform, Care Professionals must complete Curam’s vetting process. This includes bank-level biometric ID checks, right-to-work checks, DBS or PVG checks where applicable, a review of their profile and care experience, and a verification call with Curam’s support team. This gives families clearer information when searching for vetted carers in the UK. Checks should always be considered alongside experience, communication and whether the carer feels suitable for the person receiving support. 

Can I choose my own private carer? 

Yes. With Curam, you can browse carer profiles, speak directly with carers and choose whoever you’d like to provide your care. You get full choice and control over who cares for you or your loved one. 

Can I hire a private carer for an elderly parent? 

Yes. You can hire a private carer for an elderly parent 24/7 on Curam. This may include hourly care, overnight care, respite support or live-in care, depending on their needs. It can help to involve Mum or Dad in the decision wherever possible, so they feel listened to and comfortable with the person providing care. 

Can I speak to a carer before booking? 

Yes. Speaking to a carer before booking can help you understand their experience, approach, availability and whether they feel like the right match. On Curam, families can message carers directly through the app and use CuramMeet to speak with suitable Care Professionals by audio or video call before arranging care.