As care homes and domiciliary providers face growing scrutiny over quality standards, Noble Live-In Care is urging NHS Trusts and local authorities to re-evaluate how care is delivered – and to make live-in care a central part of discharge and care planning conversation.

The call comes after a recent BBC report revealed a Birmingham-based care provider has been placed into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for providing “inadequate” personal care, failing to assess risk, and neglecting to act on safeguarding concerns.

“This is yet another example of the devastating impact when care becomes impersonal and under-resourced,” says Kirsty Prendiville Lawes, Operations Manager at Noble Live-In Care. “We can’t keep pushing people into systems that can’t meet their needs. It’s time to prioritise care that is personal, consistent and safe – and live-in care does just that.”

1 in 7 Hospital Beds Blocked – But Live-In Care Remains Overlooked
According to NHS England data (April 2024), one in seven hospital beds is occupied by someone medically fit to leave. The main causes of delayed discharge include:

Delays arranging home care packages (39%)
Difficulty securing residential placements (22%)
“Care homes and home care agencies are overstretched and as a result, some aren’t delivering the correct level of safe care. That’s deeply concerning when people are being discharged from hospital needing urgent, personalised support,” Prendiville Lawes explains. “Live-in care offers a real solution – and yet it’s still not offered routinely.”

Why Live-In Care Deserves a Frontline Role
Noble Live-In Care, part of CCH Group (City & County Healthcare Group), the UK’s largest home care provider, is calling on hospital discharge teams, social care professionals and integrated care systems to treat live-in care as a viable, immediate alternative to care homes or hourly visits.

Kirsty

Key benefits of live-in care include:

Faster discharges – Care can be arranged within 24–72 hours
24/7 risk management – Medication support, mobility monitoring and fall prevention
Improved outcomes – Reduces readmission risk, supports complex needs like dementia
More dignity and independence – Especially for those with learning disabilities or cognitive conditions
Comparable cost – Similar to private care homes, with far more personal attention
Flexible funding – Can be accessed through personal budgets or topped up via Direct Payments
“This isn’t just about speeding up hospital discharges,” says Prendiville Lawes. “It’s about making sure people aren’t discharged into struggling systems. When care homes are under investigation and domiciliary care is failing inspections, we must give families better options – and live-in care is one of them.”

A Call for Collaborative, Informed Care Planning
Noble Live-In Care is urging NHS Trusts, local authorities and care planners to embed live-in care into assessment pathways, making sure it’s offered fairly and transparently alongside other options.

“Hospitals want patients home safely. Families want care they can trust. Live-in care delivers both,” Prendiville Lawes concludes. “With the pressures our system is facing, we can’t afford to keep ignoring one of the most human, flexible and proven solutions available.”

According to Noble Live-in Care, most older adults want to stay at home for as long as possible. Surveys show that 97% of people would prefer to receive care at home, yet more than 400,000 currently live in residential care settings.

“Many families only start looking at options during a crisis,” added Prendiville Lawes, “and many never hear about the full range of care available. Some people may thrive in care homes, but for those who would prefer to stay at home, live-in care offers a real answer to the shortage of care home beds. It is a proven way to provide safe, personalised, round-the-clock support without adding pressure to an already stretched residential sector.”