Over 20 years experience
Live In Care UK wide
How Much Does Live-in Care Cost?
Live-in care typically costs £1,650 - £1,850 a week for one person, and between £1,850 and £2,200 a week for a couple. Where someone falls within those ranges depends on the level of care they need, whether nights are disturbed and whether any specialist training is required.
The fee covers a fully managed service. The carer's wages, training, cover for breaks and holidays, care planning and ongoing support from A Class Care are all included, and there are no separate agency or introduction fees.
CQC registered
Care can begin within 24 hours
Carers employed and managed by A Class Care
Care Across the East of England
Weekly Live-in Care Prices
| Weekly range | What places someone in the range | |
| One person, standard needs | £1,650 | Help with personal care, meals, medication and the home; nights mostly undisturbed |
| One person, higher or dementia needs | £1,750- £1,850 | Frequent support through the day, some night disturbance, dementia or condition-specific training |
| A couple | £1,850 - £2,200 | One carer supporting both people; the higher end where both have significant needs |
| Live-in care with waking nights | Live-in fee plus £33 per hour | A second carer awake overnight where night needs are regular |
| Short-term or respite live-in | From £1,750 per week | Short-term arrangements, final price depends on care needs |
Every figure above is a guide. The exact live in care cost per week is confirmed in a written quote after a free assessment at home, and does not change once agreed unless the person's needs change.
What The Weekly Fee Includes
Included in the fee:
- Carer's wages, holiday pay and pension
- Recruitment, DBS checks and references
- Induction and ongoing training
- A relief carer during breaks, holiday and sickness
- Care planning, regular reviews and a care manager available to phone
- CQC regulated management and insurance
Paid seperately:
- The carer's food
- Household bills, council tax and the person's own living costs
- Specialist equipment such as a hoist or stair lift (sometimes provided by NHS)
- Mileage if the carer drives the person's car for errands and appointments
The point families most often miss is the cover. A live-in carer takes a break each day and time off every few weeks, and the cost of the relief carer who steps in is inside the weekly fee rather than added to it. The same is true of recruitment and training, which is why a fully managed live in carer cost is higher than paying a self-employed carer directly but carries none of the employer responsibility.
What Changes the Cost of Live-in Care?
Four things move a quote up or down the range.
How much hands-on care is needed
Someone who needs prompting and company costs less than someone who needs help with every transfer, meal and visit to the bathroom, because the second requires a more experienced carer and a more demanding day.
What happens at night
A live-in carer sleeps in the home and can be disturbed occasionally. Where they are being woken most nights, the arrangement needs a second carer awake overnight, and waking night care is charged on top of the live-in fee.
Specialist training
Live in dementia care costs sit towards the upper end of the range because the carer needs specific training and, usually, experience of the condition. The same applies to Parkinson's, stroke recovery, MS and end of life care.
How many people are being supported
A couple pays one fee for one carer, which is why the couple's range is far less than double the single figure.
The larger part of the weekly fee is the carer's own pay. Of the remainder, most goes on the relief carer, training and the care manager who oversees the arrangement, with the rest covering regulation and insurance.
How to Fund Live-in Care
Self-funding
Most live-in care is paid for privately and reviewed once a year. Where the person's savings and assets are above the local authority threshold, this is the route most families take.
Local authority funding
After a needs assessment and a financial assessment, the council may contribute towards the cost. Many councils set their contribution at the cost of a care home place, which means live-in care is often part-funded rather than fully funded; the family pays the difference. Direct payments allow the council's contribution to be spent on live-in care from a provider of the person's choice rather than on a council-arranged package.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Where someone's needs are primarily health needs, the NHS can fund the whole package, including live-in care, with no means test. For people approaching the end of life, the fast track route can put funding in place within days.
Attendance Allowance
People over State Pension age are entitled to attendance allowance, and Personal Independence Payment is available for those under it. These funding options are not means tested and can be put towards care. Neither is affected by having a carer living in the home.
Using the value of the home
Equity release and immediate needs annuities can pay for care without selling the house. Both can have long-term consequences and are best discussed with a regulated financial adviser before any decision is made.
A Lower Cost Alternative: Introductory Live-in Care
Some families prefer to employ a live-in carer directly rather than through a managed service. A Class Care's own introductory service, A Class Connect, matches a vetted, DBS-checked carer to the family for a weekly introductory fee, after which the family employs the carer and pays them directly. The weekly cost of introductory care through A Class Connect is £800 to £1,000, lower than the fully managed figure.
The difference lies in what the family takes on: employer responsibilities including payroll, holiday pay and sickness, arranging cover when the carer takes time off, and managing the care day to day. Where a family is confident doing that, or already has experience of employing a carer, the introductory route can be a good fit. Where the person's needs are complex, likely to change, or the family lives at a distance, the managed service usually carries less risk.
Why Choose A Class Care for Live-in Care?
Award-winning Care
A Class Care has been recognised by the Home Care Awards in 2024 and 2026. Read more about our awards.
We are proud of our awards, but what matters most to us is the care and support we provide every day.
We put the needs of our clients first and work closely with our clients and their families to provide a service that feels personal, safe and reliable.
Technology That Keeps Families Informed
We use a secure online care platform to record care notes, care plans and medication information.
Where consent has been provided, authorised family members can access relevant care updates. This gives families peace of mind and helps them remain involved in the care of their loved ones.
Our carers can also provide support with:
Online video calls with family and friends
Online shopping
Electronic mediciation records
Recording daily care notes
Sharing important updates with the care management team
Our technology supports good communication, but it does not replace personal contact. Our care managers and carers will continue speaking directly with clients, families and the professionals involved in their care.
Local Care Management
Our clients are supported by local care managers who understand the communities in which they work.
Our teams have links with GPs, pharmacies, assistive technology services and local community groups. Where appropriate and with your consent, we can work alongside the health and social care professionals involved in your care.
These local connections help us provide joined-up support and enhance your care experience, enabling you or your loved one to remain safely at home.
Your Care Starts in Three Simple Steps
1. Speak to Our Team
Tell us about your current situation, how quickly you need the support and who the support is needed for.
2. Arrange a Free Care Assessment
We will arrange a free assessment covering mobility, medication, medical conditions, the layout of the home and who else is involved. A visit to the home is arranged as soon as time allows, and in many cases takes place before the carer starts.
3. Receive Care at Home
Once your assessment and care plan have been completed and we have found a suitable carer, we can arrange for your care to begin which may be available within 24 hours, subject to assessment and carer availability.
Request a Live-in Care Quote
For most families the weekly figure is the first thing they need before any other decision can be made. A Class Care provides a written, itemised quote after a free assessment at home, which takes around an hour and covers the person's needs during the day and at night, the support already in place and any funding that may apply. The figure quoted is the figure charged, with no introduction fees and nothing added later.
Live-in care is provided across Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, St Neots, Peterborough, Bedford, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Norwich and the surrounding areas.
Speak to our friendly team today to find out how we could help you or your loved one.
