Home care in South Hams
Compare CQC-regulated home care agencies in South Hams — visiting, overnight and live-in care so your relative can stay in their own home.
Not sure how much care is needed?
Answer a few questions and we’ll estimate the hours a week, a visit schedule and a rough cost for care at home in South Hams — in about a minute.
We're still adding home care agencies in South Hams.
Ask us to find local providersCare agency vs a private carer in South Hams
A private or introductory-agency carer often charges less per hour than a CQC-regulated agency — but the difference pays for cover, vetting and the legal responsibilities the agency carries for you. Here’s how the two compare.
| CQC-regulated agency | Private / introductory carer | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | Registered with and inspected by the CQC — a published rating on every profile | Not inspected — an individual carer is not CQC-regulated |
| If your carer is off sick | The agency sends a replacement, so care never stops | You have to arrange emergency cover yourself |
| Employment & tax | The agency employs the carer — pay, tax, pension and insurance are handled for you | You may become the carer’s legal employer, with HMRC, pension and insurance duties |
| Training, DBS & insurance | Carers are trained, DBS-checked and covered by the agency’s insurance | You check training, references and DBS yourself |
| Typical hourly rate | £22–£28 per hour | £15–£19 per hour |
The higher agency rate buys the cover, training and liability an agency carries for you — the reassurance most families want when arranging care for a parent. Every agency listed on this page is registered with the CQC.
Rates are typical UK ranges, not local quotes, and vary by provider, timing and the level of care. Employing a carer directly makes you their employer — check your responsibilities on GOV.UK.
Estimated typical UK ranges — actual fees depend on the agency, the hours you need, and the level of care. Always get a written quote after a needs assessment. Check who pays with the funding calculator.
What later-life care costs in South Hams
Average weekly costs for the main types of care, so you can see how South Hams compares with the wider Devon area and the UK.
| Type of care | South Hams | Devon avg | UK average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential care home | — | £1,222 | £1,200 |
| Nursing care home | — | £1,223 | £1,500 |
| Live-in care (est.) | — | — | ~£1,400 |
| Visiting care, 20 hrs/wk (est.) | — | — | ~£460 |
Care-home figures are the average advertised private weekly fee across AskBart’s listings (South Hams within ~5 miles; Devon county-wide); actual fees depend on the home, room and level of care. Home-care figures are typical UK estimates — we don’t yet hold verified local agency rates, so they aren’t shown per area. Always get written quotes. Model your own numbers with the care cost calculator.
The true cost of care at home vs a care home in South Hams
Families often compare a care-home fee to home-care hours alone — but a care home already includes the room, meals and bills, while staying at home means paying for those on top of the care. Adjust the figures for an illustrative weekly and yearly comparison, and see where a care home becomes the cheaper choice.
Household costs total £173/week. Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit (recent rates roughly £73.90 lower / £110.40 higher per week — check the current rate); it is usually payable whether you stay at home or self-fund a care home, so it is applied to every option below.
Home-care visits
35 hrs/week × £23
£978/wk
£50,856/year
£805 care + £173 bills
Lowest total cost
Live-in care
one carer, living with you
£1,573/wk
£81,796/year
£1,400 care + £173 bills
Residential care home
room, meals & bills included
£1,200/wk
£62,400/year
Where it changes over
Once the £173/week of household bills are counted, staying at home works out cheaper only up to about 45 hours of care a week. Beyond that, a residential care home — where the bills are already included — usually costs less.
A guide, not a quote
Every figure is an editable estimate. Household bills vary by home and circumstances; live-in care may need two carers for high or overnight needs; and the right choice depends on the level of care needed, not just the total. Always get real quotes and a care-needs assessment before deciding.
Illustrative only — a transparent model, not a quote. See who should pay towards care in our care funding & means-test calculator, or ask Bart.
Care at home works best alongside local health services, grants and carer support. These are the main routes to help.
Home adaptations & grants
Grab rails, stairlifts and level-access showers can be part-funded by a Disabled Facilities Grant — the practical changes that let care at home succeed.
Disabled Facilities GrantHelp paying for care
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit that helps with the cost of care at home for people over State Pension age.
Attendance AllowanceDistrict nursing & community health
NHS community teams visit at home for wound care, medication support and ongoing conditions, alongside your care agency.
NHS care & supportSupport for family carers
Advice, a carer’s assessment, respite and local support groups for relatives who help with care.
Carers UK advicePrescription delivery
Local pharmacies can prepare weekly blister packs (dosette boxes) and deliver medicines to the door.
Find a pharmacyLinks open official NHS, GOV.UK and national charity services that localise to your postcode. AskBart is independent and isn’t affiliated with these organisations.
How much does home care cost in South Hams?
Visiting (hourly) home care in South Hams typically costs £22–£30 per hour, overnight care £150–£220 per night, and live-in care £1,100–£1,600 per week. Actual fees depend on the agency and your care needs — always ask for a written quote after a free needs assessment.
Home care or a care home — which is right?
Home care lets someone stay in their own home with visiting or live-in carers, and is often more affordable than residential care for lower support needs. A care home may suit higher or 24-hour needs. You can compare the costs side by side with our care cost comparison tool.
What should I ask a home care agency before signing up?
Ask about carer continuity (how many different carers you'll see in a week), whether there's a local registered manager, how quickly they can start, whether carers are directly employed (PAYE) or self-employed, and to see their latest CQC report. Be wary of any pressure to sign quickly.
Weighing up your options in South Hams?
Care needs change over time. Compare the other kinds of later-life care in South Hams:
Talk to a care at home expert.
Choosing home care is a big decision. Get free, friendly guidance on the agencies in South Hams — no obligation, just clear answers when you need them.