10 questions to ask a live-in care provider

Clinical practice · October 2026 · 2 minute read

Choosing a live-in care provider means choosing who will live in your loved one's home. These questions will help you compare providers and spot the gaps before care starts.

1. Are you registered with CQC?

A managed live-in care service must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. Ask for the registration details and read the latest inspection report. If the provider is an introductory agency, ask exactly what it does and doesn't take responsibility for.

2. Who writes the care plan, and how often is it reviewed?

The care plan should be written with the person and family, and reviewed regularly and whenever needs change. Ask who writes it and what their background is.

3. What clinical oversight is included?

Live-in care often involves health needs: medicines, falls, skin care, swallowing or long-term conditions. Ask who oversees this clinically, whether it is included in the price, and how quickly a clinician can be involved when something changes.

4. How do you match carers?

Ask how carers are matched to the person's needs, personality and interests, and whether you can meet or speak to the carer before they start.

5. How are carers trained for this person?

General training is the minimum. Ask how the carer will be trained and signed off for this person's specific needs before they work alone.

6. What checks do you complete?

Ask about enhanced DBS checks, references from previous care work and right to work checks.

7. How do breaks and cover work?

Ask how much active care to expect each day, how the carer's daily breaks are covered, and who steps in for holidays and sickness.

8. What happens at night?

Ask what is expected if the person needs help at night, and when night cover or a second carer would be recommended.

9. Who do we call, and when?

Ask who the named contact is, how to reach them out of hours and how the provider tells you about concerns or changes.

10. What exactly is in the price?

Ask for a written, itemised quote: the weekly fee, cover for breaks, carer travel, food arrangements, clinical oversight and notice periods.

How Eviqa can help

Eviqa Complex Care provides live-in care led by our clinical team of paramedics and nurses. We'll answer every one of these questions in writing before care starts. Clinical oversight is included in every placement, carers are signed off for each person's needs before they work alone, and you'll have a named clinical lead.

Sources

• Care Choices: arranging live-in care (opens in a new tab)
• CQC: Regulation 19, fit and proper persons employed (opens in a new tab)

Live-in care