Home care

Home care (also called domiciliary care) is a service provided within a person’s own home, by care workers who visit to provide support. Visits are typically provided 1-4 times daily; ranging in length from 15 minutes up to 1 hour or more. 24 live-in care can also be an option. 

The purpose of home care is to enable someone to continue living in their own home, and maintain their independence wherever possible. Home care can provide help with tasks the person being cared for can no longer manage. It can also focus on the positives within a person’s circumstances such as supporting them to continue to carry out tasks and skills they can manage. 

People needing care can get it on a flexible basis. The person being supported can often build up a relationship with the care workers who support them.  

Home care may be suitable if support is required with: 

  • Personal care, washing, and dressing
  • Meal preparation and cooking
  • Movement and transfers around the home
  • Maintaining a habitable home and accessing the community

Home Care Framework 

The Home Care Framework are the care providers that Reading Borough Council directly commissions with under a framework contract. These providers deliver most of home care on behalf of the council. It is these providers that we use in the first instance. 

A list of the providers can be found on the Home Care and Support Framework 

The Care Quality Commission 

All home care agencies which deliver ‘regulated services’ such as personal care must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC regulate the health and social care sector, and this includes inspecting care providers. You can search for providers and view inspection reports here on the Care Quality Commission website. 

Application 

Eligibility for council-funded support is subject to assessment of both needs and finances. People who self-fund their care have the option to contact care agencies directly as these agencies can conduct their own assessment or what is required.  

To enquire about support, you can contact adult social care by: 

Last updated on 17/02/2025