When families start looking for care, they often encounter two types of provider: care agencies and introductory agencies. On the surface, both can seem similar in that they help you find a carer for your relative. But the way they work, what they charge, and what they are legally responsible for are very different.
What is a care agency?
A care agency employs carers directly. The agency is the legal employer, responsible for National Insurance, holiday pay, pension contributions, insurance, and all employment-related obligations, and the agency charges the family for the service and pays the carer separately. Because of these overhead costs, traditional agency care tends to carry higher fees, a portion of what you pay goes to cover employment costs and agency margin rather than directly to the carer. A portion of what you pay goes to cover employment costs and agency margin rather than directly to the carer.
Care agencies are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England. They have ongoing responsibility for the quality of care delivered.
Another characteristic of care agencies is that they manage the scheduling. You may have limited say in which specific carer visits, and agency carers often look after many different service users. Continuity, the same carer visiting consistently, can be harder to guarantee.
What is an introductory agency?
An introductory agency like Hibant does not employ carers directly. Instead, it introduces vetted, self-employed carers to families, and the care arrangement is made directly between the family and the carer.
Because the introductory agency is not the employer, its cost structure is fundamentally different. There are no employer NI contributions, no holiday pay liability, no pension obligations. The carer sets their own rate. The platform charges a modest fee to cover vetting, matching, and platform support.
The result is that the carer typically earns significantly more per hour, at Hibant, carers keep 90 to 92 pence of every pound, while the family often pays the same or less than they would through a traditional agency.
What introductory agencies are not responsible for
Because the carer is self-employed, the introductory agency is not the care provider. Families take on a greater degree of responsibility for the arrangement, in effect, they are the organising party. This is why it is important to have a clear written agreement with the carer, and why platforms like Hibant provide tools to support this.
Self-employed carers must hold their own public liability insurance and have a valid DBS certificate. Hibant verifies both before any carer is listed on the platform.
Which is right for you?
For many families, an introductory agency delivers better value, more continuity, and a more personal relationship with the carer. For families who want to be fully hands-off and have every aspect managed for them, a care agency may suit better.
Hibant's model is designed for families who want high-quality, consistent, well-matched care, and who are willing to be a little more involved in setting up and maintaining the arrangement.
Looking for care or thinking of joining Hibant?
Whether you are a family navigating care for a loved one or a carer looking for fairer, more meaningful work, we would love to hear from you.