The short answer
Practical home help covers agreed household jobs and friendly company. Personal care means direct assistance with activities such as washing, dressing or toileting. Home Help Direct does not offer personal or nursing care.
Side-by-side comparison
| What matters | Practical home help | Personal care |
|---|---|---|
| Typical tasks | Cleaning, laundry, gardening and companionship | Direct assistance with washing, dressing or toileting |
| Provided by Home Help Direct? | Within the agreed practical service scope | No |
| What to verify | Agreed tasks, access, price and relevant checks | Appropriate provider registration, skills and suitability |
When each option fits
When practical home help fits
Choose practical help for chores, cleaning, gardening and companionship; seek an appropriately regulated provider for washing, dressing or toileting assistance.
When personal care is needed
Where someone requires direct assistance with washing, dressing, toileting or clinical tasks, a suitably qualified or regulated care provider is the more appropriate route.
Questions to ask
- Write down each task the person needs assistance with.
- Identify whether any activity involves washing, dressing, toileting or hands-on personal care.
- Confirm that the proposed provider can safely and legally undertake those tasks.
- Ask which checks, training and safeguards apply to the worker and role.
- Involve the person receiving help in decisions and clarify who can receive information.
Frequently asked questions
Can practical home help include washing or dressing somebody?
No. Those tasks fall outside Home Help Direct's present offer. Personal care may require a CQC-registered provider in England, depending on the activities performed.
Can a person receive practical home help alongside registered care?
That can be possible, but the responsibilities must remain separate and clear. A household helper does not replace a regulated care worker or clinician.
Scope and safety
Regulatory obligations depend on the actual activities provided, not a business's marketing label.
Further reading
Further reading from UK organisations: