Choosing support for yourself or someone you care about can raise many questions. These answers explain how Happiest at Home works, who the service may suit and what happens before regular support begins.
Happiest at Home is a national CarePal matching service for planned, personalised, one-to-one care and support. A CarePal is a care and support worker matched around the individual, their routine, preferences, interests and the kind of person they would feel comfortable with.
Last reviewed: .
Happiest at Home is a CarePal matching service for regular, personalised, one-to-one care and support. We take time to understand the person and the proposed package, identify suitable CarePals and involve the individual in choosing whom they would like to meet. The service is subject to postcode, UK nation, suitability, the arrangements that apply and CarePal availability.
The service is for people looking for planned, regular support at home, including people arranging support for themselves and relatives, partners or family carers helping someone they care about. The person receiving support remains central. Family or other trusted people can be involved where the individual wants this and where it is appropriate.
A CarePal is a care and support worker matched with an individual for regular one-to-one support. Matching considers the proposed support, location, availability, experience, personality, interests and communication preferences. The aim is to create the time and familiarity needed for a comfortable, professional support relationship to develop.
The minimum visit is two hours and the minimum support package is six hours per week. Both minimums apply. For example, a two-hour visit meets the visit minimum but a package would still need to total at least six hours each week.
Yes. You can review suitable CarePal profiles and help choose whom you would like to meet. The person receiving support should be involved as fully as possible, with family involvement where they want it and where it is appropriate. Availability and suitability must still be checked, so a particular person or match cannot be guaranteed.
Yes. A meet and greet gives the individual and the potential CarePal time to talk before deciding whether the arrangement feels suitable. Support begins only when a suitable CarePal is in place and the checks, paperwork and service arrangements that apply have been completed.
We aim to match each person with a dedicated CarePal, or a small consistent team where appropriate. This supports familiarity and gives CarePals time to understand the person and their routines. The same individual cannot be guaranteed for every visit. Holidays, illness, availability and the size or timing of a package can affect cover. We discuss continuity and cover arrangements honestly before support begins.
Timing depends on the postcode, support requested, relevant arrangements, matching criteria and CarePal availability. We will give a realistic update after the initial conversation and cannot guarantee an immediate start date. Happiest at Home is designed for planned, regular support. It is not an emergency or immediate-start service.
No. Happiest at Home is not an emergency response or immediate-start service. Matching, suitability, availability, checks and the relevant service arrangements must be completed before support begins. If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, use the appropriate emergency or urgent-care service for where they live.
There is no upfront matching fee. Payment begins when a suitable CarePal is in place and support starts, in line with the agreement. We explain the applicable costs and arrangements before support begins. We do not publish a standard hourly rate because each proposed package and the arrangements that apply need to be checked.
CarePals may provide agreed everyday support such as companionship, help around the home, support with routines and suitable community activities. What can be included depends on the person, location, UK nation, current delivery arrangements and the proposed package. Tell us what support is needed. We will check whether it can be agreed rather than making a general promise that every activity is available everywhere.
Tell us exactly what support is required and where it will take place. Personal care, medication and other regulated, specialist or clinical activities need to be checked against the current entity, UK nation, delivery arrangements, suitability and available CarePal experience before anything is agreed. An enquiry does not guarantee that a particular activity or package can be provided.
Transport cannot be assumed for every CarePal or package. Tell us where the person needs to go and what support they require. We will check the proposed travel arrangements, suitability, availability and any requirements that apply before confirming what may be possible.
We welcome enquiries from across the UK. Availability is not automatic in every postcode. We check the postcode, UK nation, support requested, relevant arrangements and suitable CarePal availability for each enquiry.
Direct Payment rules and care arrangements depend on where you live, the relevant authority and the person’s assessed care and support plan. If you have or are applying for Direct Payments, tell us how the proposed support is intended to meet the agreed outcomes. We will check whether the arrangement may be suitable. For independent information, contact the relevant council or Health and Social Care Trust.
We complete the checks, paperwork and service arrangements that apply before support starts. The exact requirements depend on the proposed role and arrangements. Ask us to explain the current checks for the CarePal and package being considered.
Tell us promptly what is not working. We will review the concerns and discuss whether another suitable CarePal should be considered. Any rematch remains subject to suitability and availability.
Use the short contact form, call 0345 030 3845 or email hello@wearehappiestathome.co.uk. We first need the enquirer’s name, the postcode where support is required, whether the enquiry is for themselves or someone else, and a phone number or email address with a contact preference. We will discuss detailed needs during a human conversation rather than asking for sensitive care information in the first form.
Share the postcode and the broad kind of support you are looking for. We will discuss the details, explain whether the service appears suitable and outline what happens next.