What are the advantages of domiciliary care?

Care is provided in the person’s own home Supports greater independence Flexible care tailored to individual needs Generally cheaper than residential care

What are the advantages of residential care?

Support for medical or complex needs Can provide increased social interaction Nutritionally balanced meals that also cater for modified diets Person-centred care with support to stay as independent as possible

How do I choose between domiciliary and residential care?

This very much depends on the type of care that’s needed. If you’re thinking about care for a loved one, remember to involve them in the decision-making process. If a medical professional has advised that nursing care is necessary, a care home may be the only safe environment available.

What insurance do I need for a domiciliary care business?

What you need will depend on the services you provide. If you employ any members of staff, you’ll need employers’ liability by law. Other insurance products you can consider include public liability, professional liability, and legal expenses.

Are there any government schemes that help with care costs?

You can see if you qualify for financial help by asking your local council for a needs assessment .

The difference between domiciliary and residential care

Domiciliary and residential care share similarities, but if you’re thinking about setting up a domiciliary care business or weighing up care options for a loved one, what are the differences and advantages of each?

16.06.25

By Alan Boswell Group

We explore what each type of care offers and the types of care insurance essential for business owners. For families, knowing a care home or service is covered can provide peace of mind that there is recourse should the unexpected happen.

What is domiciliary care?

Domiciliary care is provided in a person’s home, also known as homecare. Home carers (or private carers) usually work for agencies, and the care they provide is flexible depending on how much support is needed. For example, someone might need care for a few weeks after surgery or may need care on a long-term basis.

Home carers can help with a range of activities, including getting up, washed and dressed in the mornings, help with shopping, preparing meals and drinks or supporting people when they leave the house. Live-in carers are also included within the domiciliary care category.

Is home help the same as domiciliary care?

Home help isn’t quite the same. Domiciliary care providers typically support people with personal tasks (going to the toilet, getting washed and dressed and preparing meals).

Home help providers generally help with domestic tasks, such as cleaning, laundry, or gardening.

How much does domiciliary care cost?

Cost depends on the level of care needed but can range between £15 and £30 per hour. Your location can also affect what you pay.

What is residential care?

Residential care is provided by a care home. For anyone looking at residential care, it means moving out of their own home. With this in mind, it’s typically an option chosen by people who need more help and would otherwise struggle to live alone.

In addition to residential care, some care homes provide nursing and dementia care. Residents with more complex needs often live in smaller units within larger residential homes where they can be better supported. Most care homes will employ qualified nurses and have a clinical team to oversee medical needs.

Depending on the care home and individual needs, people can receive as much support as they want, while being encouraged to stay independent.

How much do care homes cost?

Cost can vary considerably depending on the home you choose, where you live, and the type of support needed. In some cases, your local council may be able to help with part or all of the cost.

According to the NHS, the average cost of residential care is £600 per week. A nursing home (or residential home with nursing provision) costs an average of £800 per week.

Bear in mind that some luxury care homes can charge thousands of pounds per week.

What are the key differences between domiciliary care and residential care?

We’ve put together a quick visual summary to help you see the differences at a glance.

The difference between domiciliary and residential care

	Domiciliary care	Residential care
Living environment	In the person’s own home	In a care home
Level of independence	High level of independence	Depends on the home and care needed, but usually set mealtimes with a more structured day
Social interaction	Limited to carer and the person’s usual network	More opportunities to meet new people and community groups
Type of care provided	Varies according to need, can range from personal to medical care	Homes should take a person-centred approach, so will also vary according to need
Cost	More flexible as depends on the level of support needed	Fixed monthly fees, but typically more expensive than domiciliary care

What insurance do domiciliary care providers need?

Domiciliary care providers need similar types of insurance to residential care homes, but there are some key differences, for example, home carers won’t need property insurance.

Features to consider include:

Public liability

This covers costs if a member of the public is injured or has their property damaged because of your business activities. An example could be if a home carer left some equipment on the pavement while unloading their car, causing someone to trip.

Employers’ liability

If you own a care home or domiciliary care agency and employ staff, you’ll need employers’ liability by law. It compensates employees if they’re injured or become ill because of work.

Professional liability

Covers you if a decision has caused injury or damage, for example, if a staff member accidentally gave someone the wrong medication.

Legal expenses

Pays for legal fees that aren’t covered by other aspects of the policy, for example, if there are contractual issues or tax disputes.

FAQs

Choosing the best policy for the right care

Having the right insurance can give you the confidence and peace of mind to focus on care provision. If you are employing people, it also a legal requirement. To find out more about protecting your business and your employees, speak to one of our experts on 01603 218000.