Traditional agency model
- Often higher agency fees
- More limited caregiver choice
- Contracts may be restrictive
- Changes can involve extra fees
- Less pricing transparency
Get started in 3 simple steps
A calmer, guided process.
Arrange care directly with clarity and built-in safety.
- Create a clear profile and describe your needs or availability
- Connect instantly with suitable caregivers or families, and agree care details upfront before anything starts
- Begin working together with shared expectations
An alternative to traditional care agencies
ICare offers a modern way to arrange care at home - without agency lock-ins, unclear pricing or unnecessary complexity. Families stay in control, with clear terms and direct contact from the start.
ICare
- Independent care often costs less
- Choose your preferred caregiver
- Transparent terms
- Direct family-caregiver agreements
- Fairer pay for caregivers-better continuity of care
Live-in care: typical weekly range (UK)
Live-in care is usually priced as a weekly rate. A neutral UK guide range is often around £800–£1,600/week, depending on needs and area.
Everyday support~£800–£1,050
Higher needs~£1,050–£1,350
Extra night support~£1,250–£1,600
Complex care can be higher~£1,800–£2,000
What affects cost most
- Level of support: dementia, mobility, complex routines
- Nights: sleeping vs waking nights
- Location: London / South East often higher
- Experience: specialist skills and proven experience
Funding options (UK) — general guidance
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to access support through the routes below.
- Local authority assessment and personal budget (if eligible)
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (for complex health needs; sometimes fully funded)
- Direct payments / personal budgets (where available)
- Benefits and allowances that may support costs (eligibility varies)
We can't assess eligibility or provide financial advice. Funding information is general guidance only. Eligibility and availability depend on individual circumstances and local authority decisions.
Note
Estimates are based on your selected rate and weekly hours. Final pricing depends on care needs and the caregiver's rate.
Market references used here: NHS homecare/live-in guides, Age UK homecare benchmark, Homecare Association minimum-price benchmark, and GOV.UK NLW rates. Figures vary by region and needs.
Your inputs
Currency
12.2130
Tip: choose a rate that's fair and sustainable for the carer. Independent rates often sit around £14-£30/hr, and NLW (21+) is £12.21 until 31 Mar 2026, then £12.71 from 1 Apr 2026.
A helpful starting point is 20–40 hours/week.
15%100%
Used for an illustrative “typical agency total”. UK references often cited are ~£15-£30/hr (NHS), ~£25/hr as a common benchmark (Age UK), and £32.14/hr as a 2025-26 England minimum-price benchmark for compliant homecare delivery (Homecare Association).
Monthly estimate
Care cost (no fees)
£2,338.20
Typical agency totalA market estimate for comparison only. Agency totals can include overheads and margins and may vary by provider, location and care needs. In this scenario, care pay is about 71% of the agency estimate.
£3,273.48
Estimated monthly saving
£935.28
Difference: 29% vs agency estimate (comparison only).
This calculator provides indicative estimates only. ICare is a matching platform and does not provide care services, set rates, or employ caregivers. Final rates and arrangements are agreed directly between families and caregivers. Agency figures are illustrative and vary by provider, region and care needs. Agency pricing can include coordination, cover/replacements, compliance and operating costs. In some local markets or complex-care cases, actual prices can fall outside the ranges shown. ICare is currently in early access across the UK and final pricing is not yet published.
Questions about ICare?
We can walk you through matching, agreements and getting started - step by step and with no pressure.