Comparisons
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The two models
Every provider is introductory, managed, or both
An introductory service introduces you to a self-employed carer who works for you. A managed agency employs the carer, runs the care and is registered with the CQC. Knowing which you are looking at explains most of the difference in price and responsibility.
| Introductory service | CQC-registered managed agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Who employs the carer | Nobody. The carer is self-employed and works for you | The agency |
| Who chooses the carer | You, from profiles | The agency, usually with your input |
| Who directs the care day to day | You and the carer | The agency, through a care plan |
| If the carer cannot come | You find cover, with whatever help the service offers | The agency arranges cover |
| Registered with the CQC in England | No, because it does not provide the care | Yes, and its inspection reports are public |
| Price | Usually lower. On PrimeCarers, live-in is typically £1,120 a week | Usually higher. A typical managed live-in week is £1,120 to £1,750 |
Who employs the carer
- Introductory service
- Nobody. The carer is self-employed and works for you
- CQC-registered managed agency
- The agency
Who chooses the carer
- Introductory service
- You, from profiles
- CQC-registered managed agency
- The agency, usually with your input
Who directs the care day to day
- Introductory service
- You and the carer
- CQC-registered managed agency
- The agency, through a care plan
If the carer cannot come
- Introductory service
- You find cover, with whatever help the service offers
- CQC-registered managed agency
- The agency arranges cover
Registered with the CQC in England
- Introductory service
- No, because it does not provide the care
- CQC-registered managed agency
- Yes, and its inspection reports are public
Price
- Introductory service
- Usually lower. On PrimeCarers, live-in is typically £1,120 a week
- CQC-registered managed agency
- Usually higher. A typical managed live-in week is £1,120 to £1,750
Some providers run both models, so ask which one you are being offered. The managed range is a typical figure, not any named agency's price.
Questions
Questions about these comparisons
PrimeCarers, which is one of the services compared. They are not independent reviews. Every fact about another provider comes from that provider's own website and links to the page, and the sources were checked on 19 October 2026.
No. PrimeCarers is an introductory platform: families choose self-employed carers who set their own rates, and the family directs the care. PrimeCarers does not employ carers or provide care, so it is not registered with the CQC.
An introductory service introduces you to a self-employed carer; you choose them, direct the care and arrange cover. A managed agency employs the carer, runs the care through a care plan, arranges cover and is registered with the CQC. Managed care usually costs more because the price covers employment and management.