When a loved one begins to struggle with everyday tasks, arranging the right support can feel overwhelming. Domiciliary care — sometimes called home care or care at home — allows people to receive professional support in the comfort of their own home, rather than moving into a residential care setting. In Wales, there is a well-established system for assessing need, securing funding, and finding a registered provider.
This guide walks you through every step of arranging domiciliary care in Wales, whether you live in Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham, or elsewhere in the country. At Accredilink Community Response Taskforce, we help families navigate this process every day, and we want to make sure you have the clearest possible picture of what to expect.
What Is Domiciliary Care?
Domiciliary care is professional care and support delivered in a person’s own home. It can include help with personal care such as washing and dressing, medication prompts, meal preparation, companionship, and support with mobility. For many people across Wales, domiciliary care is the key to maintaining independence while staying safe and well in familiar surroundings.
Unlike residential care, domiciliary care is tailored entirely to the individual. Visits can range from a short 30-minute call in the morning to a full live-in care arrangement, depending on what is needed. The care is regulated by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), which means every registered provider must meet strict standards of quality and safety.
Step 1: Recognise the Need
The first step is often the hardest. It can be difficult to accept that a parent, partner, or family member needs extra help. Some of the common signs that domiciliary care could be beneficial include:
- Difficulty with personal hygiene, washing, or dressing
- Forgetting to take medication or taking it incorrectly
- Struggling to prepare meals or losing weight
- Increasing frequency of falls or near-misses
- Growing isolation and withdrawal from social activities
- The home becoming untidy or unsafe
If you have noticed any of these changes, it may be time to explore care options. You can read our detailed guide on the signs that your elderly parent may need care for more help with this step.
Step 2: Contact Your Local Authority
In Wales, your local council is the starting point for accessing publicly funded care. Under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, every local authority has a duty to assess anyone who appears to have care and support needs. You do not need a referral from a GP — you can contact your council directly.
If you are in the areas we serve, the relevant contacts are:
- Denbighshire County Council — Single Point of Access (SPoA)
- Conwy County Borough Council — Single Point of Access (SPoA)
- Wrexham County Borough Council — Adult Social Care team
You can also ask a hospital social worker to start the process if your loved one is currently in hospital and approaching discharge. See our article on hospital discharge and home care in Wales for more on this.
Step 3: The Care Needs Assessment
Once you have made contact, the local authority will arrange a care needs assessment. This is a conversation — usually carried out by a social worker or care assessor — to understand what the person can and cannot do, and what support would help them live well at home.
The assessment will consider:
- Physical health and mobility
- Mental health and cognitive function
- The person’s own views and preferences
- The home environment and any risks
- Existing support from family or friends
- What outcomes the person wants to achieve
In Wales, the assessment is grounded in the principle of “what matters” to the individual. The person being assessed should be at the centre of the conversation, and their voice should be heard. If your loved one has difficulty communicating, an advocate can be provided.
The assessment is free of charge and does not commit you to anything. It simply establishes whether eligible needs exist and what type of support might help.
Step 4: Financial Assessment and Funding
If the care needs assessment determines that your loved one has eligible needs, the local authority will then carry out a financial assessment (sometimes called a means test) to work out how much, if anything, the person should contribute towards the cost of their care.
In Wales, there is a weekly cap on charges for non-residential care, which makes domiciliary care more affordable than in England. As of the latest guidance, the maximum weekly charge is significantly lower than the actual cost of care, which means the local authority subsidises the remainder.
Depending on the outcome of the financial assessment, your loved one may:
- Receive fully funded care at no personal cost
- Be asked to contribute a set amount per week, up to the Welsh cap
- Choose to top up their care privately for additional hours or services
There are also other funding routes, including NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) for those with a primary health need, direct payments which give you control over how your care budget is spent, and benefits such as Attendance Allowance. We cover all of these in detail in our guide to care funding in Wales, and our funding guidance page has further information.
Step 5: Choosing a Domiciliary Care Provider
Whether your care is funded by the local authority or you are arranging it privately, choosing the right provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. Here are some things to consider:
Registration and Regulation
Every domiciliary care provider in Wales must be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). You can check a provider’s registration and read their latest inspection report on the CIW website. This is a vital step — never use an unregistered provider.
Local Knowledge
A provider that knows your area will be better placed to deliver reliable, consistent care. At Accredilink, we are based in and around Denbighshire, Conwy, and Wrexham, which means our care workers know the communities they serve. This matters for timekeeping, continuity, and building trust.
Flexibility and Range of Services
Care needs change over time. Look for a provider that offers a range of services, from short daily visits to sit-in services, respite care, and even emergency care response. This means you will not need to change provider as needs evolve.
Staff Continuity
Consistency matters enormously. Ask prospective providers how they manage staff rotas and whether you can expect to see the same care workers regularly. Familiar faces make a real difference, especially for people living with dementia or anxiety.
Communication
A good provider will keep you informed. Ask how they communicate with families — whether through regular reviews, digital updates, or phone calls. You should always feel able to pick up the phone and speak to someone if you have a concern.
Step 6: What to Expect When Care Begins
Once you have chosen a provider and a care plan has been agreed, care will typically begin within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on availability and the complexity of the care needed. Here is what the first few weeks usually look like:
- Introduction visit: A senior member of the care team will visit to introduce themselves, go through the care plan in detail, and answer any questions.
- First care calls: The initial visits may be slightly longer to allow the care worker and the person receiving care to get to know each other.
- Review: Most providers will carry out a review within the first few weeks to check that the care plan is working well and make any adjustments.
- Ongoing communication: You should receive regular updates and be invited to periodic reviews, usually every few months or whenever needs change.
It is completely normal for it to take a little time to adjust. A small amount of anxiety at the start is natural, both for the person receiving care and for their family. A compassionate, well-trained care team will take this in their stride and work gently to build trust and confidence.
Can I Arrange Domiciliary Care Privately?
Yes. You do not have to go through the local authority. Many families choose to arrange and fund domiciliary care privately, which can sometimes mean shorter waiting times and greater flexibility in the hours and type of care provided.
If you choose to self-fund, you should still ensure the provider is registered with CIW and that a thorough care plan is developed. At Accredilink, we work with both local authority-funded and privately funded clients, and the standard of care is the same regardless of how it is funded.
How Accredilink Can Help
We are a CIW-registered domiciliary care provider serving Denbighshire, Conwy, and Wrexham. Our team includes experienced care workers and emergency care responders available on shift around the clock. Whether you need a few visits a week or more intensive support, we are here to help.
Our services include personal care and daily living support, respite care for family carers, palliative and end-of-life care, social care and companionship, and sit-in services. We also provide care training for organisations and individuals.
If you are thinking about arranging care for a loved one and are not sure where to start, we are always happy to have an informal conversation. There is no obligation, and we will do our best to point you in the right direction — even if that means recommending another service.