Home Help in City of London: Costs, Funding and 16 Local Agencies (Oct 2026)

What home help includes

Typical tasks are cleaning and tidying, laundry and ironing, changing beds, food shopping and collecting prescriptions, preparing meals, help with post and bills, and getting out to appointments or the shops. Many people also value the company. Home help does not include personal care such as washing, dressing or help with medication: for that you need a home care agency registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Paying for home help

Home help is usually charged by the hour, at or just below the rate for visiting care. The London Borough of City of London may include practical help in a care plan if a care needs assessment finds eligible needs, though help with housework alone often does not qualify. Attendance Allowance, which is not means-tested, is often used to pay for it. See home help for the elderly and home help vs home care.

Agency, cleaner or council?

Many home care agencies in City of London provide home help as well as personal care, which is useful if needs grow. A cleaner or a local "home help" service can be cheaper for housework alone, but is not regulated by CQC. Some councils and charities run low-cost help-at-home or shopping services. Asking the London Borough of City of London for an assessment.

What the register shows for City of London

Of City of London and the 6 nearest towns we cover, City of London ranks 7th for the share of all listed agencies rated Good or Outstanding (19%); Hackney is highest at 62%. Oldest rating on the list: The Good Care Group, April 2019. Most recent to register: Abilities Enabled (June 2026). 75% of rated agencies covering City of London are Good or Outstanding, compared with 89% of those rated among the 2,452 we list across London. Looking at specialisms, 14 of 16 list physical disabilities, 7 of 16 list learning disabilities and 14 of 16 list mental health conditions. The share registered for dementia is 94% in City of London (15 of 16) and 81% across London.

How much home help costs in City of London

Typical prices in London in 2026
Visiting care	£30–£40 an hour
Sleeping night	£190–£230
Waking night	£240–£320
Live-in care	£1,300–£1,800 a week

Council rates in City of London Corporation: £27.40 an hour for home care (2025/26 average paid to agencies); £1,063.62 a week for residential care (2025/26 average, over-65s); £1,809.97 a week for nursing care (2025/26 average, over-65s) (source).

The Homecare Association puts the minimum sustainable price for council-funded home care in England at £34.42 an hour for 2026/27. Tools: weekly cost calculator and what would we pay?

Questions about home help in City of London

Which agencies provide home help in City of London?

The CQC register does not show who offers home help. There are 16 registered agencies that are based in the City of London, 3 of them rated Good or Outstanding, so ask each one.

How much is a home help per hour in City of London?

Expect an hourly charge close to the local visiting care rate, sometimes slightly less for housework only. Check the minimum visit length and weekend rates before you book.

Will the council fund help with housework?

Only as part of meeting eligible needs after an assessment by the London Borough of City of London; housework on its own rarely qualifies. Attendance Allowance, which ignores savings, is often used to pay for home help.

Is home help the same as home care?

No. Home help is practical help with housework, shopping and errands. Home care, or personal care, includes help with washing, dressing, eating and medication, and must be provided by an agency registered with the Care Quality Commission.

What CQC ratings do agencies covering City of London have?

CQC rates 3 of 4 as Good or Outstanding, or 75%. Recent evidence: 1 rated or inspected in two years. Dementia specialists: 15.

Need home help in City of London?

One short form: featured partners and a maximum of three rated agencies working with us will contact you directly by email.

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More about care in City of London

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Provider details from the Care Quality Commission register, updated Oct 2026. Contains CQC data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The Care Panel is not a care provider.

Home help in City of London