CareCircle Support provider shortlist Companion Match · USD 49
Four companionship providers, and the gap is not the one you thought
Non-medical practical support for two afternoons a week, matched to the schedule that actually has a hole in it.
You asked for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Mapping the week you described, those two afternoons are already the best covered days she has. The uncovered stretch is Saturday lunchtime to Sunday evening, which is 31 hours with nobody, and it is the one she mentioned twice in your notes.
Four providers can cover Tuesday and Thursday. Two of them can also cover a Sunday, which is where the actual gap is. Booking the weekday hours first would use the budget on the part of the week that is already working.
Scope
What this is, and firmly what it is not
| In scope here | Not in scope, needs a regulated provider |
|---|---|
| Companionship and conversation | Personal care, washing, dressing |
| Shopping, errands, post | Medication prompting or administration |
| Preparing a meal together | Moving and handling, transfers |
| A lift to an appointment | Any clinical observation or advice |
| Light tidying and laundry | Overnight or live-in care |
| Telephone check-ins | Anything a care plan would specify |
The week
Where the cover actually is
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Neighbour | Neighbour | Neighbour | Neighbour | Neighbour | Nobody | Nobody |
| Afternoon | Day centre | You asked here | Day centre | You asked here | Hairdresser | Nobody | Nobody |
| Evening | Phone, Ann | Phone, Ann | Phone, Ann | Phone, Ann | Phone, Ann | Nobody | Visit, you |
The two afternoons you asked us to fill sit between a day centre morning and an evening phone call. Saturday has nothing at all from Friday evening until your Sunday visit, which is the 31 hours in the verdict.
She said twice that Saturdays are long. Your notes record it as a passing comment both times.
From the intake, carried into the recommendation
Providers
Four, compared
| Rate | Weekday pm | Saturday | Same person? | Min booking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider 1 | USD 24 / h | Yes | No | Yes | 2 hours |
| Provider 2 | USD 26 / h | Yes | Yes | Usually | 3 hours |
| Provider 3 | USD 31 / h | Yes | Yes | Yes, named | 2 hours |
| Provider 4 | USD 22 / h | Yes | No | Rota | 4 hours |
Same person matters more than rate for companionship. A rota of four different people is not companionship, and Provider 4 is the cheapest partly for that reason.
Provider 3, Saturday 11:00 to 15:00
The most expensive hourly and the only one offering a named consistent companion who works weekends. Four hours on a Saturday at USD 31 is USD 124 a week and covers the actual gap.
Provider 2, Saturday 12:00 to 15:00
Three hours at USD 26 is USD 78 a week. Usually the same person, not guaranteed. Ask them what usually means before you agree anything.
Provider 1, Tuesday and Thursday
Good provider, right rate, consistent person, no weekends. It is the right answer to the question you asked and not to the one the week suggests.
Before engaging
Checks to make yourselves
CareCircle has not vetted, visited or verified any provider. These are the checks that matter and every one of them is yours to make.
- Ask to see current public liability insurance, with the expiry date
- Ask whether staff hold a current enhanced background check, and ask to see the certificate on the first visit
- Ask whether the provider is registered with the relevant regulator for the services they offer, and what they are not registered for
- Ask for two references from families with a similar arrangement, and telephone both
- Meet the specific person, in her home, with one of you present, before any unaccompanied visit
- Agree in writing what they will not do, so nobody is asked to do personal care informally
- Agree how a missed or late visit is reported, and to whom
- Agree notice periods on both sides and what happens if the companion leaves