London Care Staffing

Reliable care cover
when rotas change fast.

DBS-checked, trained care workers for care homes and extra care services across London. From planned cover to urgent rota gaps, we help you keep care safe and consistent.

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Compliance
100% DBS verified
Enhanced DBS confirmed before every first placement. No exceptions.
Worker welfare
London Living Wage
Every worker paid at or above LLW on every shift. Fair pay, reliable care.
Response
2hr response guarantee
All enquiries answered within 2 hours. Incidents reported within 24 hours.
Invoicing
One simple weekly invoice
All statutory costs included — NI, holiday pay, pension. No surprises, no hidden charges.
Fully Compliant Staff
DBS checked, trained and right-to-work verified
Extra Care Specialists
Understanding rota pressures and resident continuity
Rapid Response
Short-notice and emergency cover available
London Coverage
Supporting care homes across London

Need Last-Minute Staffing Cover?

We understand how disruptive sickness, absence and rota gaps can be. Prime Staffing Solutions provides responsive staffing support for urgent and short-notice care cover.

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Getting started

Three steps from
enquiry to placement

1
Contact us
Tell us what you need
Call or email with your shift requirements — hours, location, type of setting, and any specific skills needed. We respond within 2 hours during business hours. No lengthy onboarding forms.
2
We match & confirm
We find the right worker
We match you with a compliant, experienced worker and confirm the booking. You receive the worker's name, DBS status, and relevant training details before they arrive.
3
Simple invoicing
One weekly invoice, nothing more
After the shift, the worker submits a signed timesheet. We invoice you weekly. Worker pay, holiday pay accrual, employer NI, and pension — all included. Workers are engaged directly by PSS, not via umbrella companies. 14-day payment terms.
What we do

Every aspect of
care staffing, covered

★ Core service
01
Full compliance — before every shift
We hold, verify, and maintain every compliance document for every worker. You never need to chase a DBS or a training certificate — we do it, and we tell you before anything expires.
Prime Staffing Solutions carer supporting a resident
  • Enhanced DBS certificate (regulated activity)
  • Proof of right to work in the UK
  • Two verified employment references
  • Moving & Handling certificate
  • Safeguarding Adults certificate
  • Basic Life Support certificate
  • Infection Control certificate
  • Medication Administration (where applicable)
02
Temporary shift cover
Same-day and planned shift cover for care homes, residential settings, and supported living. Reliable cover including nights, weekends, and bank holidays.
03
Care home staffing
Experienced care workers for residential and nursing homes, trained in safeguarding, medication administration, and moving and handling.
04
Housing association support
Support workers for housing associations, sheltered housing, and extra care settings with experience in supported living and complex needs environments.
05
Payroll & compliance
We engage every worker directly — not through umbrella companies. We manage PAYE, employer NI, holiday pay, and pension auto-enrolment. One simple weekly invoice — no complexity on your side.
06
Insurance coverage
All placements covered by employers' liability (£10m), public liability (£5m), and professional indemnity (£5m) insurance underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. Policy No. KINGREC2533, valid 23 May 2026 – 22 May 2027.
Why Prime Staffing

What makes us different

We pay workers fairly
Every worker is paid at or above London Living Wage. Fair pay produces motivated, reliable workers. That directly benefits your residents.
Compliance is genuine, not assumed
DBS certificates are verified on original documents. Training certificates are current. We stake our reputation on this — and so does yours.
You speak to a director directly
No call centre, no account manager handoffs. When you need urgent cover or have a concern, you reach a director who knows your scheme.
No surprises on your invoice
Everything is included in the charge rate. One weekly invoice, no hidden fees, no admin charges. Contact us for a rate schedule.
Your CQC registration is protected
We operate to CQC Fundamental Standards on every placement. Our workers follow your care plans and report safeguarding concerns within 24 hours.
Every worker holds
Eight compliance checks before the first shift
Enhanced DBS Right to Work Checked Mandatory Training Safeguarding Awareness CQC-Aligned Standards
Enhanced DBS certificate (regulated activity)
Proof of right to work in the UK
Two verified employment references
Moving & Handling certificate
Safeguarding Adults certificate
Basic Life Support certificate
Infection Control certificate
Medication Administration (where applicable)
All documentation verified before first placement and tracked throughout. You will be notified before any certificate approaches expiry.
Transparent pricing

Competitive rates,
no hidden charges

Our rates reflect the full employment package — worker pay, holiday accrual, employer National Insurance, and pension. One weekly invoice. Nothing more.

All-inclusive charge rate
Worker pay, holiday accrual, employer NI, and pension — all in one hourly rate. No hidden extras, no admin fees, no surprises.
Weekly invoicing
One invoice per week based on verified timesheets. 14-day payment terms. No monthly retainers or minimum booking commitments.
Volume arrangements
Regular booking arrangements available for care homes with consistent weekly requirements. Contact us to discuss a tailored rate schedule.
Request a rate schedule for your scheme
We'll send a full rate schedule within 2 hours, tailored to your shift patterns.
Read our London rates guide →
Get a rate schedule
About us

Built to do it
the right way

"We set up Prime Staffing because we saw too many agencies cutting corners — on worker pay, on compliance, on service. We wanted to build something different."

Prime Staffing Solutions is a director-led care staffing agency based in London. We are deliberately small. Every client works directly with a director. Every worker is known to us personally.

We grow carefully — taking on schemes we are proud to work with and workers we are proud to represent. We do not compete on price alone. We compete on reliability, compliance, and the quality of care our workers deliver.

Our commitment
Director-led — always
You will never speak to a call centre or an account manager. Every client relationship is managed directly by one of our directors from the first enquiry onwards.
Operations & Client Relations
Director — your primary contact
Responsible for client relationships, new enquiries, and day-to-day operations. Available directly from first conversation through to ongoing scheme management.
Compliance & Workforce
Director — compliance lead
Responsible for worker recruitment, DBS processing, training verification, compliance management, and payroll operations.
Prime Staffing Solutions Ltd · Registered in England & Wales · Company No. 17171274
Registered office: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ
Welcome to Prime Staffing Solutions Ltd. How can we help today?
Need Staff Cover
Looking for Care Work
General Enquiry
Get in touch
Let's talk about
your staffing needs

Whether you need cover tomorrow or want to discuss a longer-term arrangement — call, email, or fill in the form. We respond within 2 hours.

Call us
020 4628 2015
Email us
info@primestaffing.org
Mobile
07873 341 750
Office
71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ
Send us an enquiry
Tell us about your requirements and we'll respond within 2 hours during business hours.
London Care Staffing — 2026 Guide

Care agency rates in London:
what you actually pay for

A practical, transparent guide to care staffing costs, worker pay, and what's really included in an agency charge rate — written for London care homes and housing associations.

Published April 2026
8 minute read
London-specific figures
Free budget calculator included
Enhanced DBSAll workers verified
Zurich insuredPolicy KINGREC2533
ICO registeredZC133414
CQC standardsEvery placement
Director-ledNo call centres
Home › Care Agency Rates Guide London 2026
Home › Care Agency Rates Guide London 2026

Why care agency rates in London are higher — and what that money covers

If you manage a care home, supported living scheme, or housing association in London, you will have noticed that agency charge rates vary significantly — sometimes by £10 or more per hour between providers for what appears to be the same service.

Some of that difference is margin. But most of it reflects genuine cost differences — in worker pay, compliance depth, employment overheads, and the level of service behind the booking. Understanding what a charge rate is actually built from helps you compare agencies properly, challenge invoices confidently, and spot the agencies that may not be meeting their full compliance obligations.

This guide sets out typical London care agency rates for 2026, explains what every charge rate should include, and gives you a practical checklist to use when evaluating any staffing partner.

"The cheapest agency is rarely the cheapest option. What you save on the charge rate, you often pay for in compliance gaps, worker turnover, and the CQC inspection you weren't ready for."

What care workers are actually paid in London

London has its own pay market for care workers, significantly above national figures. The London Living Wage (LLW) is the ethical minimum — £14.80/hr from April 2026. Any reputable agency should be paying at or above this on every shift.

Beyond the base rate, workers expect uplifts for unsocial hours. Standard London care worker pay looks like this:

Shift typeTypical worker pay — LondonNotes
Monday–Friday day (7am–10pm)£13.85 – £16.00/hrLLW minimum; experienced workers earn more
Saturday–Sunday day£14.50 – £17.50/hrWeekend uplift typically 5–15%
Night rate (10pm–7am)£15.00 – £19.00/hrNight uplift typically 10–20%
Bank holiday£17.00 – £22.00/hrBank holiday uplift typically 20–35%
Complex care (ventilator, PEG, tracheostomy)£18.00 – £26.00/hrSkill premium for specialist competencies

These are worker pay figures — what goes into the worker's pocket before tax. The agency charge rate is always higher because it also covers the employer's costs of engaging that worker.

Watch out for: agencies quoting a charge rate only marginally above London Living Wage. After employer NI, holiday pay, pension, and insurance, almost nothing is left for operations — which can make it difficult for the agency to meet its full pay and compliance obligations. It is worth understanding what is and is not included before committing to a rate.

What a London care agency charge rate actually includes

A transparent agency should be able to break down exactly what their charge rate covers. Here is what every compliant charge rate must include:

Worker gross pay

The worker's hourly rate before tax and NI. For a London day shift this is typically £13.85–£16.00/hr depending on experience and setting. This is the single largest component of the charge rate — usually 55–60% of the total.

Employer's National Insurance contributions

From April 2026, employers pay NI at 15% on earnings above £5,000/year. For a worker earning £26,000/year, this adds approximately £3,150/year — roughly £1.52/hr. This is a legal obligation, not optional.

Holiday pay accrual

All workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid annual leave. For a zero-hours worker, this is calculated at 12.07% of gross earnings. On a £14.80/hr base rate, this adds approximately £1.79/hr to the employer's cost.

Pension auto-enrolment

Workers earning above £10,000/year must be auto-enrolled in a workplace pension. The employer must contribute at least 3% of qualifying earnings — typically adding £0.40–£0.60/hr to the cost.

DBS checking and compliance costs

An enhanced DBS check costs approximately £50–£65 per worker. Add references, training verification, right-to-work checks on original documents — compliance costs per worker run to £200–£400/year for a well-run agency.

Training and certification maintenance

Moving and Handling, Safeguarding, Basic Life Support, Infection Control — all must be current before first placement and renewed on schedule. Training costs per worker typically run to £150–£300/year.

Insurance

Employers' Liability, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity insurance is non-negotiable. Annual premiums for a small agency typically run to £600–£1,500/year, spread across all placements.

Agency operations and margin

The remainder covers payroll software, rostering, ICO registration, regulatory compliance, and the directors' time to manage bookings, timesheets, incidents, and client and worker relationships.

The honest maths on a £26/hr London charge rate

Worker gross pay: ~£14.80/hr  ·  Employer NI: ~£1.52/hr  ·  Holiday pay: ~£1.79/hr  ·  Pension auto-enrolment: ~£0.50/hr  ·  Compliance & insurance: ~£0.80/hr  ·  Operations & margin: ~£6.59/hr. A £26/hr rate leaves a small agency approximately 25% margin before tax — which must cover recruitment, technology, professional fees, and periods of low activity.

Typical London care agency charge rates in 2026

London charge rates sit consistently above the national average, reflecting higher worker pay, higher cost of living, and greater demand for compliant staff in a densely regulated market.

Shift typeLondon rangeNational average
Monday–Friday day£24 – £32/hr£20 – £28/hr
Saturday–Sunday day£26 – £34/hr£22 – £30/hr
Night rate£27 – £36/hr£23 – £32/hr
Bank holiday£29 – £40/hr£25 – £36/hr
Complex care (specialist skills)£32 – £55/hr£28 – £45/hr

These are indicative ranges for 2026. Rates at the lower end typically reflect new agencies or high-volume arrangements. Rates at the upper end reflect specialist skills, very short notice, or NHS/local authority framework contracts.

If you are being quoted significantly below the London lower band — for example, a Mon–Fri day rate below £22/hr — it is worth asking detailed questions about worker pay and compliance. At that price point, something has to give.

London care staffing budget calculator

Estimate your weekly staffing cost for a typical care home or supported living shift pattern. Contact us for a precise rate schedule tailored to your scheme.

What pushes London care rates up or down

Factors that increase charge rates

Short notice — same-day or next-day cover typically attracts a premium of 10–20% because the agency must source a worker quickly, often outside normal hours.

Specialist skills — workers with competencies in ventilator care, PEG feeding, epilepsy rescue medication, or complex behavioural needs command higher pay, which flows through to the charge rate.

Location within London — outer boroughs and less well-connected locations attract higher rates because travel time and cost are greater for workers.

Compliance depth — agencies that verify all documents on original evidence, maintain a full training matrix, and provide robust incident reporting cost more to run. That cost shows in the rate.

Director-led service — smaller agencies where clients speak directly to a director typically charge a modest premium. The value is in reliability and responsiveness, not headcount.

Signs of an artificially low rate

Worker pay below London Living Wage — if the agency can't tell you clearly what workers are paid, or if their rate doesn't cover LLW after statutory deductions, workers are being underpaid. That drives turnover and poor care outcomes.

No clear compliance process — agencies that can't show a DBS certificate before first placement, or that rely on workers self-declaring their training, are cutting costs at your risk.

No insurance documentation — ask for EL, PL, and PI certificates before signing. A compliant agency provides these without hesitation.

Request a rate schedule for your scheme
We'll send a full breakdown within 2 hours, tailored to your shift patterns and setting.
Get a rate schedule →

Eight questions to ask any London care agency

Use this checklist before signing any terms of business. A reputable agency should answer all eight clearly and in writing.

  • What do your workers earn on a standard London day shift?
    The answer should be at or above London Living Wage (£14.80/hr from April 2026). If they won't tell you, that's a serious concern.
  • Can you provide a DBS certificate before the worker's first shift?
    For regulated activity, the answer must be yes. A pending application is not sufficient without written client consent and a formal risk assessment.
  • Can you show me your current insurance certificates?
    Employers' Liability, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity. All three should be current, from a recognised insurer, with adequate cover limits.
  • Are you ICO registered?
    Any agency processing DBS data and personal data must be registered with the ICO. Ask for the registration number and verify it at ico.org.uk.
  • What does your charge rate include?
    A transparent agency can explain how their rate is built — worker pay, employer NI, holiday pay, pension, compliance, and margin. Vague answers are a warning sign.
  • What is your safeguarding reporting process?
    Workers should report concerns within the same working day. The agency should have a written safeguarding policy aligned to the Care Act 2014.
  • What are your cancellation terms?
    You should not be penalised for cancellations with reasonable notice. The agency should be clear about tiered terms for late cancellations.
  • Who do I speak to when I have an urgent problem?
    The answer should be a named director with a direct number — not a general inbox or a call centre. Care emergencies happen at 2am on a Sunday.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a London care agency charge per hour in 2026?
For standard residential and domiciliary care, London charge rates typically range from £24 to £32/hr for Monday–Friday day shifts, rising to £27–£36/hr for nights and £29–£40/hr for bank holidays. Complex care with specialist skills commands £32–£55/hr. Rates vary by agency, volume, notice period, and location within London.
What is the difference between worker pay and the agency charge rate?
The charge rate covers the worker's gross pay plus employer's National Insurance (15% on earnings above £5,000/yr from April 2026), holiday pay accrual (12.07% of gross), pension contributions (3% of qualifying earnings), DBS and compliance costs, training maintenance, insurance, and the agency's operational costs and margin. A transparent agency can explain every element.
Should London care agencies pay the London Living Wage?
Yes. The London Living Wage (£14.80/hr from April 2026) is the ethical minimum for care workers in London, set independently by the Living Wage Foundation. It is above the statutory National Living Wage. Any reputable London agency should pay at or above this rate on every shift.
Do agency charge rates include VAT?
Agencies registered for VAT will charge 20% VAT on top of their hourly rate. This is standard and recoverable by VAT-registered organisations. Agencies below the VAT threshold (£90,000 turnover) do not charge VAT. Always confirm whether a quoted rate is inclusive or exclusive of VAT.
What should I look for in an agency's terms of business?
Clear payment terms (14–30 days is standard), transparent cancellation provisions, a reasonably defined transfer fee clause, GDPR compliance provisions, confirmation of adequate insurance, and evidence that the agency operates as an employment business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.
Can I hire an agency care worker directly?
You can, but most agency terms of business include a transfer fee clause if you hire a worker directly within a defined period of their last assignment. Some agencies offer a fee-free alternative if you extend the assignment for an agreed number of weeks. Always check the transfer fee terms carefully before signing any agency agreement — they vary significantly between agencies.

About Prime Staffing Solutions

Prime Staffing Solutions Ltd is a London-based care staffing agency supplying DBS-checked, fully compliant care workers and support staff to care homes and housing associations across London.

We are a director-led business. Every client works directly with a director — not a call centre. We pay every worker at or above London Living Wage on every shift. We verify every compliance document on original evidence before a worker's first placement.

We publish this guide because we believe transparency is good for the sector. If you have questions about rates, compliance, or how we work, we are happy to talk.

Prime Staffing Solutions Ltd · Company No. 17171274 · ICO Reg: ZC133414 · Insured by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Policy No. KINGREC2533)

Talk to us about your staffing requirements
Call 020 4628 2015 or email info@primestaffing.org — we respond within 2 hours.
Get in touch →
Client guide — London care staffing

What to ask before you sign
with any care staffing agency

Twenty questions every care home and housing association should ask any agency before placing a booking. The answers reveal whether an agency is genuinely compliant — or may not be meeting their full compliance obligations.

20 questions
5 categories
London care sector
April 2026
Enhanced DBSAll workers verified
Zurich insuredPolicy KINGREC2533
ICO registeredZC133414
CQC standardsEvery placement
Director-ledNo call centres
Home › Care Agency Assessment Checklist

Not all care staffing agencies are equal. This checklist sets out the twenty questions every care home manager and housing association should ask before signing with any agency. Use it to evaluate your current supplier, assess a new one, or simply understand what good looks like in London's care staffing market.

We publish this because we believe transparency protects care home managers, residents, and workers. Prime Staffing Solutions answers yes — in writing — to every question on this list.

Typical agency
Prime Staffing Solutions
Worker Pay & Employment

The questions most care home managers never think to ask — but should.

What do workers earn per hour?
✗
Typical agency
Often unclear. Some agencies pay below London Living Wage (£14.80/hr from April 2026), especially those using umbrella companies. Workers are sometimes asked to absorb employer costs.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Every worker paid at or above London Living Wage on every shift. We can confirm worker pay rates on request and are happy to do so in writing.
Are workers directly employed by the agency?
✗
Typical agency
Many agencies use umbrella companies or personal service companies. Workers have fewer legal protections, payroll compliance is harder to verify, and statutory costs may be passed to the worker.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
We directly engage every worker — not through umbrella companies or personal service companies. All employer obligations — PAYE, NI, holiday pay accrual, pension auto-enrolment — are handled by PSS. You receive one weekly invoice.
Is holiday pay properly accrued and paid?
!
Typical agency
Rolled-up holiday pay is sometimes used incorrectly or not paid at all. Since Harpur Trust v Brazel [2022 UKSC 21], holiday pay calculations for irregular hours workers have specific requirements many agencies haven't updated.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Holiday pay accrues at 12.07% of gross earnings, calculated over a 52-week reference period in accordance with Harpur Trust v Brazel [2022]. Clearly identified on every payslip.
Are workers auto-enrolled in a workplace pension?
✗
Typical agency
Smaller or newer agencies may not yet have a pension scheme in place, or may not have registered with The Pensions Regulator as required for eligible workers.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
All eligible workers will be auto-enrolled into a qualifying workplace pension scheme (NEST) before their first pay day. Scheme details confirmed on engagement. Obligations under the Pensions Act 2008 met in full.
Compliance & DBS

The compliance gaps most likely to put your CQC registration at risk.

Is there a valid enhanced DBS before the first shift?
✗
Typical agency
Some agencies place workers on pending DBS applications. For regulated activity, most regulators expect a valid certificate to be in place before placement begins. This is worth confirming with any agency as a matter of routine — and a potential CQC breach.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Enhanced DBS certificate verified on original documents before every first placement. No pending applications for regulated activity without written client consent and a formal risk assessment.
Is right to work checked on original documents?
!
Typical agency
Digital or photocopy checks are common. Only original document checks — or Home Office online checks for biometric residence permits — provide a statutory defence against illegal working penalties.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Right to work checked on original documents for every worker before first assignment, in accordance with Home Office guidance. Copies held on file and available to clients on request.
Are two employment references verified?
✗
Typical agency
References are often self-declared by workers or not independently followed up. Some agencies accept a single reference. References from non-care employers are sometimes treated as equivalent.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Two employment references verified before first placement, from care sector employers wherever possible. References are followed up directly — not accepted on worker declaration.
Are training certificates independently verified and tracked?
✗
Typical agency
Many agencies rely on workers to self-declare training validity. Certificates are not independently checked, expiry dates are not tracked, and clients may not be notified when certificates lapse.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Moving & Handling, Safeguarding, BLS, Infection Control, and Medication Administration all verified on original certificates. Expiry dates tracked — you are notified before any certificate approaches renewal.
Is a Regulation 17 worker information sheet provided before each assignment?
✗
Typical agency
Most agencies do not provide written Regulation 17 information before each assignment as required by the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Regulation 17 Worker Information Sheet provided before every first assignment at every client site, confirming worker details, qualifications, and compliance status. Satisfies Conduct Regulations 2003.
Legal & Regulatory

The clauses that determine who bears liability when things go wrong.

Is there an AWR clause in the Terms of Business?
✗
Typical agency
Many agency terms of business make no mention of the Agency Workers Regulations 2010. When workers reach 12 weeks, clients may find themselves with AWR obligations they were not aware of or prepared for.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Full AWR clause in Terms of Business and Zero Hours Contract. Client obligations clearly set out. AWR Comparator Pro-forma sent before the 12-week qualifying period. Client indemnifies PSS for failure to provide comparator information.
Is the agency ICO registered?
✗
Typical agency
Agencies processing DBS certificates and personal data are legally required to be registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. Some smaller or newer agencies are not registered, which is a legal requirement for any organisation processing personal data.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
ICO registered — ZC133414. Verify at ico.org.uk. UK GDPR compliant Privacy Policy published at primestaffing.org/privacy-policy. Data protection contact: admin@primestaffing.org.
Does the agency have a written safeguarding policy?
✗
Typical agency
CQC-regulated clients should ask for a written safeguarding policy as standard. Many agencies cannot produce one, have no clear incident reporting process, and no defined timeline for notifying clients of concerns.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Written Safeguarding Policy aligned to the Care Act 2014. Step-by-step incident reporting procedure. Workers must report concerns to the client the same day and to PSS within 24 hours. Available on request.
Does the agency hold adequate insurance?
!
Typical agency
Employers' Liability insurance is the legal minimum. Many agencies do not hold Professional Indemnity cover, carry inadequate Public Liability limits, or cannot produce current certificates on request.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Employers' Liability, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity insurance — all underwritten by Zurich. Medical treatment extension included for care placements. Certificates available on request.
Commercial Terms

The small print that determines what you actually pay — and what you can't do.

What does the charge rate actually include?
!
Typical agency
Many agencies quote a headline rate without explaining what it covers. Worker pay, employer NI, holiday pay, pension, compliance, and insurance should all be included — but frequently are not explained.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
All-inclusive charge rate covering worker gross pay, employer NI (15% from April 2026), holiday pay accrual (12.07%), pension contributions (3%), compliance costs, and insurance. No hidden fees, no admin charges.
What are the payment terms?
✗
Typical agency
Some agencies demand immediate payment on receipt of invoice. Others have payment terms of 7 days or impose aggressive late payment penalties above the statutory rate.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
14-day payment terms as standard. Late payment interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998 only. Extended terms available by written agreement for regular clients.
What are the cancellation terms?
✗
Typical agency
Cancellation terms vary widely. Some agencies charge the full shift value for any cancellation regardless of notice given. Others have unclear or unreasonable terms buried in small print.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Tiered and transparent: 4+ hours notice = no charge. 2–4 hours = 50% of shift value. Under 2 hours or after worker has begun travelling = 100%. Clearly set out in Terms of Business.
What is the transfer fee if you want to hire a worker directly?
✗
Typical agency
Transfer fees of 18–25% of annual salary are common among larger agencies. Some have restrictive non-solicitation periods of 12+ months and no fee-free alternative arrangement.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
10–15% of first-year salary depending on hours worked (minimum £1,500). An 8-week fee-free hire period is available as an alternative. 12-month restriction runs from last day worked — not from contract start.
Service & Accountability

Who you actually deal with — and how they respond when it matters.

Who do you speak to for urgent cover or a complaint?
✗
Typical agency
Most agencies operate through a shared inbox or call centre. You may speak to a different person each time. At 2am on a Sunday, you may not reach anyone at all.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Director-led. You have a direct number for a named director from your first enquiry. Every client is managed by a director throughout. We respond to all enquiries within 2 hours during business hours.
Does the agency provide a written assignment confirmation for every booking?
✗
Typical agency
Many agencies confirm bookings verbally or by text only. No written confirmation means no paper trail if there is a dispute about rates, the worker's details, or compliance documentation.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Written Assignment Confirmation Letter provided for every booking, confirming worker name, role, start date, agreed charge rates, compliance status, and regulatory notices. Sent before every first shift.
Does the agency have a written Health & Safety Policy?
!
Typical agency
A written Health & Safety Policy is a legal requirement for employers. Many smaller agencies do not have one, or have a generic document that does not address care-specific risks such as manual handling and infection control.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
Written Health & Safety Policy covering care-specific risks: manual handling, infection control, medication, violence and aggression, lone working, and RIDDOR obligations. Reviewed annually. Available on request.
Can the agency provide all documents in writing before you sign?
✗
Typical agency
Many agencies cannot or will not provide their safeguarding policy, health & safety policy, insurance certificates, and ICO registration in writing before a client signs. If they hesitate, ask why.
✓
Prime Staffing Solutions
All documents — Terms of Business, Safeguarding Policy, H&S Policy, Privacy Policy, insurance certificates, ICO registration — available in writing before you commit to anything. No hesitation.
Prime Staffing Solutions answers yes to every question on this list
Request a rate schedule, a copy of any document, or just an introductory conversation — we respond within 2 hours.
Get in touch →
Work with Prime Staffing Solutions

Care work that
pays you fairly.

Flexible shifts across London. London Living Wage from your very first shift. Weekly pay, direct engagement, and a director you can actually call. No umbrella companies, no hidden deductions.

Register your interest What you need →
Starting pay — all workers
£14.80 per hour
London Living Wage from your very first shift. No exceptions.
Senior Care Worker — after 200 hours
£14.90 per hour
Automatic progression. No application, no interview. Just 200 verified hours.
Bank holidays
Time and a half
Every recognised UK bank holiday. Paid at 1.5× your standard rate.
Pay day
Every Friday
Weekly BACS payment for all verified shifts from the previous week.
London Living WageFrom day one
Weekly payEvery Friday
Direct engagementNo umbrella companies
Holiday payAccrues on every shift
Workplace pensionAuto-enrolment included
Home › Work with us
Why Work With Us?

Supportive work, built around care professionals

Weekly pay

Reliable weekly pay so workers know where they stand.

Flexible shifts

Choose shifts that fit around availability and life outside work.

Supportive communication

Clear, responsive communication from a team that stays close.

Varied opportunities

Placements across care homes and extra care services.

Why Prime Staffing Solutions

What makes us
different for workers

01
You know exactly what you earn before you accept a shift
We publish our pay rates. £14.80/hr from day one, £14.90 after 200 hours. No surprises on your payslip, no deductions you weren't told about. What we quote is what you receive.
02
We engage you directly — not through an umbrella company
Many agencies use umbrella companies that reduce your take-home pay and complicate your tax position. We engage you directly. Your PAYE, NI, holiday pay, and pension are all handled by us.
03
Weekly pay, every Friday, without chasing
Submit a signed timesheet and you are paid the following Friday by BACS. No delays, no excuses. If something is wrong, you speak to a director directly — not a payroll team in a call centre.
04
Flexible shifts that work around you
Zero-hours means you choose when you work. Days, nights, weekends, bank holidays — you tell us your availability and we match shifts to you. No obligation to accept, no penalty for saying no.
05
Holiday pay on every shift you work
You accrue 5.6 weeks of paid holiday each year, calculated at 12.07% of your earnings. It is clearly identified on your payslip every week. It is yours — we do not hold it back.
06
A director answers when you call
We are a small, director-led agency. When you have a question, a problem on a placement, or a concern about pay — you reach a director directly. We do not operate a call centre or a ticket system.
Getting started

Three steps to your
first shift

1
Register
Tell us about yourself
Fill in the registration form below with your experience, availability, and current compliance status. We will be in touch within 24 hours to arrange a verification meeting.
2
Verify
We verify your documents
We meet with you to verify your DBS certificate, right to work, training certificates, and references on original documents. Once everything is confirmed, you are approved for placement.
3
Work
Accept shifts and get paid
We match available shifts to your availability and skills. Accept the ones you want, submit a signed timesheet, and receive payment every Friday. It is that straightforward.
What you need to apply

Documents required
before your first shift

All documents must be valid and available for verification on original evidence. You do not need to have everything in place before you register — but all items must be confirmed before you can be placed.

Enhanced DBS certificate
For regulated activity. Must be current. If yours has lapsed, we can advise on applying for a new one. The DBS Update Service subscription (£13/yr) is recommended.
Right to work in the UK
Valid passport, biometric residence permit, or Home Office share code. Must be verified on original document before first placement.
Two employment references
Both references must be from separate employers or independent professional sources. Character references from friends or family are not accepted, regardless of how long you have worked for your current employer.
Moving & Handling certificate
Practical and theory. Must cover people handling (not just loads). Valid for 3 years. We can advise on approved providers if yours has expired.
Safeguarding Adults certificate
Must reference the Care Act 2014. Valid for 3 years. Safeguarding Children certificate also required if you wish to work in settings involving children.
Basic Life Support certificate
CPR and AED. Resuscitation Council guidelines. Renewed annually. One of the most commonly lapsed certificates — check your expiry date.
Infection Prevention & Control
Covering standard precautions, PPE, and hand hygiene. Renewed annually. Online completion accepted from a recognised provider.
Medication Administration (if applicable)
Required if you wish to work on placements involving medication administration. Not required for all placements — confirm at registration.
Available shifts

Shifts across London,
seven days a week

Day shifts
7am–10pm
Monday to Friday day shifts at care homes and supported living schemes across London.
Night shifts
10pm–7am
Night cover across all settings. Typically 10-hour shifts. Same hourly rate as day shifts.
Weekends
Sat & Sun
Saturday and Sunday shifts available across all settings and shift patterns.
Bank holidays
×1.5 pay
All recognised UK bank holidays at time-and-a-half. High demand — register early.
We place workers in care homes and housing associations
Residential care, nursing homes, supported living, sheltered housing, and extra care schemes across London.
Register now →
Register your interest

Ready to work
with us?

Fill in the form and we will be in touch within 24 hours. We will arrange a time to meet and verify your documents, answer any questions, and get you registered and ready for placements.

Call us
020 4628 2015
Email us
info@primestaffing.org
Mobile
07873 341 750
Worker registration
Tell us about yourself and your availability. We respond within 24 hours.

Please tick any training certificates you currently hold that are under 2 years old. We will only need to arrange training for courses you do not already have. Certificates will be verified at your registration meeting.

Don't worry if you don't have all of these — we can arrange any missing training before your first placement.

Upload your CV and any supporting documents. Accepted: PDF, Word, JPG, PNG. Max 5MB per file.

Your information will be held securely by Prime Staffing Solutions Ltd in accordance with our Privacy Policy. ICO Registration: ZC133414.

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