Featherbed Care

Who we can help

We can help anyone who wishes to continue living in their own home for as long as they want.

We provide fully managed care packages to clients financed by their local Authority, on the Direct Payments Scheme or Continuing Health Care.

We also offer the same service to self-funded (private) clients who prefer not to be responsible for directly paying the carers.

How we can help

We are experts in care provision; our sister company, Featherbed Homecare, has provided private, live-in care and companionship since 1986.

Why move into one room in an expensive residential care home when you can continue to enjoy familiar surroundings at home?

Featherbed Care offers you the chance to make your own day-to-day choices in the place you know and love, with a live-in companion to ensure you stay happy and well looked after.

What is the difference between introductory and managed Live-in care?

A fully managed live-in care agency provides professional oversight. The agency takes complete responsibility for managing the live-in care service, providing a sense of security and reassurance to the customer. The agency employs, trains, and supervises the carers directly, ensuring high control and oversight.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects, regulates, and continually assesses services, providing you with reassurance and confidence in the quality of care. The agencies employ the live-in carers directly, so they are responsible for paying them sick pay and holiday pay and making national insurance and pension contributions.

Introductory Live-in care agencies

Introductory agencies are live-in care agencies that introduce Live-in carers to the client. The Live-in carers work self-employed, organise their tax affairs, and get paid more than if they work directly for a care provider. Many carers prefer this, which means they are happier to stay with one client for longer rather than being moved around a lot by a direct care provider.

Introductory care services are often cheaper than fully managed Live-in care services.

At Featherbed, we offer a fully managed care package through Featherbed Care or introduce compatible self-employed carers to you through Featherbed Homecare.

Our self-employed carers, who do the same job as they would if the agency employed them, bring a personal touch to the care they provide. The only difference with a managed care package is that the agency charges for the service and pays the carers directly.

However, Managed care services have higher overheads, such as NI contributions, insurance premiums, and more office staff.

We ensure that all our self-employed carers are fully compliant –

• Registered as self-employed with HMRC
• Have a current Carer Liability Insurance Policy
• Have an up-to-date enhanced DBS
• Have up-to-date mandatory training certificates
• Provide a client with a written invoice after each week worked

We ensure that our carers –

• Record all medications
• Write up daily care notes
• Regularly update the client care plan
• Are fully trained
• Are competent, caring, and kind.

Cost difference – Self-employed Carer or Agency-Employed Carer

A self-employed carer will charge the client a daily rate, a weekly food allowance, and travel expenses if required. They will require either time and a half or double time for bank holidays.

The agency will charge the client a weekly agency placement fee.

From per week – £902

Managed care package

The agency will quote a weekly price covering the Carer’s wages, travel and food allowances, and an agency fee for the service.
From per week – £1200

Is a managed service or an introduction service better for me?

It depends on your situation. If the customer is vulnerable, has complex care needs, and has no family nearby, then a fully managed service might be the better option.

Managed services are normally more expensive. They are inspected regularly by the Care Quality Commission and closely monitor and provide ongoing training for the carers. Introductory live-in care agencies are not under the remit of the Care Quality Commission as they are not acting as a provider of care that you may not need if you are happy to do just a little bit of the work yourself.

Any Questions?