Clear answers before you decide whether to call.
Search the questions families ask when something has changed and they do not yet know which kind of care may help.
Starting care
Do I need to know what kind of care to ask for?
No. Begin with what has changed and what you are worried may happen next. A care manager can help you compare visiting, live-in, night or temporary care.
Is the assessment free?
Yes. A face-to-face assessment can usually be arranged within 24 hours.
How quickly can care begin?
Visiting care may begin within 48 hours after safe assessment and staffing. Live-in matching can usually be completed within one week.
Are we committed after assessment?
No. The assessment helps you understand the options and full price before deciding.
Visiting care
What is the minimum visit?
One hour.
How much does visiting care cost?
£25 per hour. One uninterrupted same-day booking of ten hours or more costs £20 per hour.
Will we see familiar carers?
Caring Lane usually introduces a small team of three carers who know the person’s needs, supported by a supervisor and care manager.
What happens if a carer is late or sick?
The team acts as soon as it knows, arranges cover and informs the family.
Live-in and night care
Is a live-in carer awake all night?
No. A live-in carer needs protected sleep. Regular night support may require sleeping-night or waking-night care.
What room does a live-in carer need?
A private bedroom, access to a bathroom and access to the kitchen to prepare their own food.
Can a couple receive live-in care?
Yes, where one carer can safely meet both assessed needs. The current couple price is £1,800 per week.
What happens if the match is not right?
The care manager reviews what is not working and arranges a different carer where appropriate.
Dementia, culture and personal wishes
Can carers help when someone refuses care?
Yes. The team tries to understand what the person fears losing and may introduce help gradually. Care is not forced.
Can we request a woman or man for personal care?
Yes. Gender preferences are recorded and considered honestly according to suitable availability.
Which languages are spoken?
English, French, Swedish, Somali, Nepali, Italian, Arabic and Hindi are represented in the team.
Can prayer, halal food and cultural routines be respected?
Yes. These wishes are discussed during assessment and recorded in the care plan.
Quality, prices and local care
What is Caring Lane’s CQC rating?
Good overall. The complete official profile shows all five rating areas and the inspection history.
Are carers DBS checked?
Yes. Enhanced DBS checks form part of recruitment.
Does Caring Lane cover Bexleyheath, Welling, Plumstead and Blackheath?
Yes, subject to postcode confirmation and current capacity.
Are travel charges added?
No travel charge is added.
Still unsure?
Use the Care Clarity guide. It begins with what you have noticed and prepares a message you can edit before sending.
Help me make sense of what changed