When you’re looking for care for yourself or a loved one, you might come across the term “introductory agency” and wonder what it means. Introductory agencies are less well-known than traditional care agencies, but they solve a common problem: how to find a trusted, independent carer that is right for you. This guide explains what an introductory agency is, how it works, and whether it might work well for you.
What is an introductory agency?
An introductory agency acts as a matchmaker between people who need care and self-employed carers. Unlike traditional care agencies that employ carers and manage your care, introductory agencies simply make the introduction. Once you’ve chosen a carer, they work directly for you – not for the agency.
The key difference is what happens after the introduction. With a care agency, the agency remains responsible for managing your care. With an introductory agency, your self-employed carer is responsible for the care they provide. You agree the care, schedule, and arrangements directly with them.
How does finding care through an introductory agency work?
Getting started
You contact the introductory agency with details about the care you need. The agency reviews their network of self-employed carers and puts you in touch with suitable matches. At Sparrow, we provide a shortlist including links to each carer’s profile, their availability, and their rates.
Meeting and choosing your carer
You arrange to meet the carers – face-to-face, by phone, or video call. This is your opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of whether they’re the right fit. There’s no pressure and meeting carers is free.
When you’ve found the right carer, you agree together on the care you need – what help you’d like and when. Your carer may provide a care agreement that sets out what you’ve agreed.
Care begins
Your carer visits at the agreed times. The same person visits each time, so you can build an ongoing relationship with the carer you specifically chose.
Ongoing support
At Sparrow, we support your carer in the background and remain available when you need us. We’ll do our best to help find cover if your carer is sick or on holiday, and to find additional carers if your needs change.
How much does an introductory agency cost?
You pay your carer’s hourly rate plus a service fee to the introductory agency. Fees vary between agencies – some charge both client and carer, while others only charge one party.
At Sparrow, carers typically charge £20-25 per hour and we add a 10% service fee. For example, if your carer charges £22 per hour, your total cost is £24.20 per hour. This is typically significantly less than traditional agency care, which usually costs £32+ per hour.
Who is an introductory agency right for?
Introductory agencies may work well if you:
Want consistency and a personal relationship – You value having the same carer each time and building a genuine relationship, rather than different people on a rota.
Need help with vetting – You’d like professional verification of DBS checks, references, and insurance without having to arrange it all yourself.
Want flexibility at a reasonable cost – Traditional agency care feels too expensive but you’d like more support than going completely alone.
Are arranging care from a distance – You’re arranging care for a parent or relative who lives elsewhere and want the reassurance of professionally vetted carers with local support available.
Value having backup available – You want access to a network of carers for cover during holidays or sickness.
This might not be the best fit if you:
Require multiple short visits throughout the day – Traditional agency care works better for multiple brief calls. Self-employed carers typically prefer longer visits.
Need highly complex coordinated care – If your care requires coordination between multiple healthcare professionals or clinical oversight, a care agency with management structure might be more appropriate.
Want the agency to manage everything – If you prefer not to have any direct relationship with your carer and want the agency to handle all communication and scheduling, a traditional agency model would suit you better.
Finding care with Sparrow
Sparrow Self-Employed Carers is an introductory agency based in Hexham, covering Northumberland, Tyneside, and North Eastern Cumbria. We were founded by Anna and Tom, both former self-employed carers, because we believe that improving pay and working conditions for carers is the best way to attract more people into care.
We vet all our carers carefully – checking DBS certificates, references, insurance, and qualifications. We only work with carers we’d trust with our own family members.
If you think an introductory agency might be right for you, we’re happy to talk through your situation with no commitment needed. You can browse our carer profiles, submit a care enquiry online, or call us on 01434 444 888.