Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith. Reviewed for accuracy against the Homecare Association's 2026/27 minimum-price report and Age UK's 2026 factsheets. Numbers verified 21 June 2026.

Helping Hands: 2026 honest profile

Helping Hands is one of the few national home-care providers that publishes its hourly and live-in rates openly. Owned by City and County Healthcare Group.

What Helping Hands charges in 2026

Hourly from £25.27/hr for personal home care; one-to-one dedicated carer from £32.40/hr; live-in from £1,675/wk (single) or £2,125/wk (couple); respite from £345/day.

Pricing source: https://www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk/costs-funding/cost-of-home-care/, verified 21 June 2026. National Homecare Association minimum sustainable price for 2026/27 is £34.42/hr[1] for context.

Model

Directly managed national operator.

CQC profile

Multiple branches separately registered with several Outstanding ratings.

How it compares

• Helping Hands: published headline rates.
• Bluebird Care: franchise, quote-only.
• Elder: introductory live-in.
• The Good Care Group: managed live-in.
• All 2026/27 hourly rates.