DomCare
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Benefits and Costs of Domiciliary Care
IRAS ID
331932
Contact name
Florin Vadean
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
57595, NIHR Clinical Patient Management System
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background
Care provided in peoples’ own homes (called domiciliary care) is an increasingly important part of social care. There are a variety of services, including home visits and live-in care. Some people directly employ Personal Assistants (PAs). Services vary in quality, price, and availability, and there is currently little evidence of the value these services provide to local authorities or individuals.Aims
The main aim of this 3-year study is to help fill an important gap in what is known about peoples’ experiences of using homecare, and the value homecare has in improving peoples’ lives, both for those accessing care and their unpaid carers. We will also compare the value for money of domiciliary care to that of care in institutional settings, like care homes.Methods
In the first half of 2026, we will survey 1,850 people accessing domiciliary care either from a homecare agency, a housing with care scheme or by directly employing a PA as well as (where available) their unpaid carers (400). We will recruit widely, getting the opinions of a variety of people in a range of locations, and irrespective of whether they self-fund their care or their care is funded and/or commissioned by a Local Authority (LA).
We work with a company that specialises in surveys (Ipsos) and people with lived experience of social care services to make sure survey questions are fit for purpose. To avoid duplication and reduce costs, data on care home residents will be from a study that piloted a minimum data set on care home residents in 2023 (HS&DR NIHR127234).Expected impact
Project findings are expected to inform policy decision-making to support people with care needs live more independent lives for longer, provide guidance about homecare options, as well as support individuals and families to make more informed decisions about their care.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0652
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion