Live-in care in London
Get full costs from local, vetted private carers in London, based on your family's needs.
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London is home to approximately 9.1 million people. Older residents make up a smaller share of the population here compared with almost anywhere else in the UK. Families looking for live-in care in the capital span every borough, from inner London areas such as Islington and Camden to outer boroughs including Barnet, Bromley and Richmond upon Thames.
Hometouch carers work across the city, matched to a family’s postcode, routine, and the level of support required, including dementia care.
What is live-in care in London?
Live-in care means a carer moves into the home and supports one person day-to-day. It’s an alternative to a care home that lets someone stay in familiar surroundings. It differs from 24-hour care, where a team of carers works in shifts around the clock.
How it works
1. Select preferred carers
Try a few options to start with
2. Trial the connection
Test whether it's a good match
3. Set up a custom plan
One that suits both you and your family's needs
Support your family can expect
- Personal care
- Shopping trips
- Catheter care
- Blood sugar monitoring
- Medication tracking
- Pet care
- Outdoor walks
- Medical appointments
- Complex care
Hospital discharge and NHS support
Many families reach out while a parent or family member is in hospital or awaiting discharge. London’s hospital and community health services are commissioned through four integrated care boards: North East, South East, South West, and West and North London. The latter now covers 13 boroughs and over 4.5 million residents following its 2026 merger.
Hometouch works with NHS trusts and hospital discharge teams to arrange a matched, vetted carer, so your family member is sent home with care in place.
How do you find a live-in carer in London?
Families usually choose between three routes.
Traditional agency: the agency manages recruitment and paperwork, but often assigns the carer.
Direct employment: you choose the carer and become the employer, responsible for contracts, checks and cover.
Hometouch: you choose from self-employed carers we’ve vetted through telephone and face-to-face interviews, background checks and qualification checks. We help arrange cover when a carer is ill or on holiday.
As a CQC regulated carer provider, we can arrange full costs and available live-in carers for:
Condition-specific care
Dementia or any other condition-specific care
Reablement care
Postoperative or any other injury-related care
General care
Overnight, companionship or disability care
CQC regulation
Hometouch's managed live-in care service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission and rated Good. Inspectors assess how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led a service is, and the full report is available on the CQC website.
Get care from a local, experienced and professional carer, from the comfort of home and with a custom care plan.
Get visibility and control
Track routines, medication schedules and shopping trips
24-hour support
Special requests or funding advice, we're always here for you
Decide the level of care
Have a say in carer choice. Every major decision is yours
Common reasons families in London get in touch
Care after hospital discharge
Temporary support to help someone get back on track
Moving into full-time care
Needs have changed, or an existing arrangement needs reassessing
Unhappy with current care
Understanding whether another provider can better match your needs
Paying for live-in care in London
A needs assessment conducted by a person’s home borough will determine the funding routes available. London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London each run their own means test, so the options can vary based on where someone lives.
In England, savings and assets excluding the family home below £23,250 may qualify for some council support, with full support available below £14,250. If the person’s primary need is medical rather than social, NHS Continuing Healthcare can fund the full cost of care. This conclusion is based on a formal assessment.
For a full breakdown of costs and funding routes, see our cost of live-in care guide.
Some of your local live-in carers in London
Frequently asked questions
Can Live-In Care Start When Someone Leaves a London Hospital?
Yes, many families arrange live-in care while a family member is in hospital or waiting for discharge. Hometouch works with NHS trusts and hospital discharge teams to arrange a matched, vetted carer. Timings depend on the person’s needs and carer availability, so it helps to get in touch early.
Can Live-In Care Work in a London Flat?
Yes, it can work in a London flat if there’s a private room for the carer, even a small one. A spare bedroom or converted study is the usual solution. Wifi and a TV are usually appreciated, and our team can talk through what’s workable.
How Is Live-In Care Funded in London?
A needs assessment from the person’s home borough sets out the funding routes available. London has 32 boroughs plus the City of London, and each runs its own means test, so options vary by address. Some people may qualify for council support or NHS Continuing Healthcare, based on a formal assessment.
What Is the Difference Between a Live-In Carer and a Nurse in London?
A live-in carer supports daily life at home, while a nurse delivers clinical care such as wound dressing or health assessments. In London, nursing input is usually arranged separately through your GP or local NHS community nursing team. Your GP can advise which service covers your area.
Is Live-In Care Better Than a Care Home in London?
It depends on the person’s needs. Live-in care offers one-to-one support at home, close to their GP, neighbours and family, while a care home provides shared staff and facilities. A needs assessment can help you decide.
Get full costs from local, vetted private carers in London
Based on your family's needs.