For case managers, deputies, advocates & professional representatives

A clearer route to verified independent carers for the PHB and direct payment families you support

HBS helps case managers, deputies, advocates and professional representatives support families who are looking for independent carers. HBS reviews evidence; families choose carers directly.

Families using Personal Health Budgets, direct payments or private funding often want more control over who supports them, but finding reliable independent carers can be difficult. HBS gives families and professionals a clearer way to view verified profiles, understand what evidence has been reviewed and request family-led introductions.

Refer a Family Speak to HBS View Verification Levels

Verified profilesDBS evidence reviewedReferences reviewedTraining evidence reviewedFamily-led introductionsTransparent feesConcern routeNo care management by HBS

HBS does not directly provide regulated personal care services. Families choose independent carers directly.

Important. HBS is an introductory, verification and platform support service. HBS does not directly provide regulated personal care services, employ carers, manage rotas, supervise care delivery or direct ongoing support. Independent carers operate independently and families choose carers directly.

Supporting professionals and the families they work with

HBS may be useful where a professional is supporting a family, client or person who wants to explore independent carer options through a Personal Health Budget, direct payment or private funding arrangement.

Case Managers

For case managers supporting families or clients who need clearer information before exploring independent carer options.

Deputies

For professional or lay deputies helping someone arrange support while keeping decisions, records and fees clear.

Advocates

For advocates supporting people to understand their options, ask better questions and make informed choices.

Solicitors

For solicitors supporting clients with deputyship, personal injury, Court of Protection or private funding arrangements.

PHB and Direct Payment Support

For brokers, PHB support workers and direct payment support teams helping families arrange personalised support.

Family Representatives

For trusted family representatives helping a loved one explore independent carer options.

How HBS can support your clients

A more structured way to explore independent carer options.

HBS can help families move from uncertainty to a clearer shortlist of independent carers whose profiles show reviewed evidence, experience, support areas, availability and rates.

Verified profiles

HBS-published carers complete a structured verification pathway before profile visibility. Profiles show what has been reviewed.

DBS, references & training evidence reviewed

Enhanced DBS evidence, professional references and training evidence are reviewed before relevant profile information or badges are displayed.

Family-led introductions

Families remain the decision maker. HBS facilitates the introduction request but does not manage the care relationship.

Standard, complex & high-complexity support

Families and professionals can filter and shortlist by support type, specialist badges, verification level, availability and rate.

Transparent fees

Carers set their own hourly rate. HBS adds a clear platform fee on top, with no hidden charges to families.

No care management by HBS

HBS does not manage rotas, supervise care delivery or provide clinical sign-off. Professionals continue their normal duties around the family.

A clear route to raise concerns

Professionals, families and carers can raise platform concerns through a single complaints and concerns process.

Verified independent carer profiles

HBS helps independent carers create clearer profiles that families and professionals can understand before an introduction is requested.

Profiles may include

Profile photo
Display name
Role title
Location and travel radius
Years of experience
Support areas
Availability
Hourly rate
HBS platform fee
Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 verification
DBS evidence reviewed
References reviewed
Training evidence reviewed
Specialist badges where approved
Support approach
Short biography

What stays private

Private documents such as DBS certificates, ID documents and referee contact details are not shown publicly. Families see reviewed status and approved profile information.

View Verification Levels

DBS, references and training evidence reviewed

HBS reviews key evidence before a carer profile becomes visible to families. This gives professionals and families clearer information before deciding who they want to speak with.

Evidence may include

Identity evidence
Enhanced DBS evidence
Right-to-work information where applicable
Professional references
Profile information
Training certificates
Complex support evidence
HBS-recognised training or competency development where relevant

Level 1 — Core Verified Independent Carer

Core checks reviewed before profile visibility, including identity evidence, DBS evidence, references and profile review.

Level 2 — Interviewed & Training Evidence Reviewed

Level 1 plus professional interview, onboarding expectations, communication discussion and relevant training evidence review.

Level 3 — Enhanced / Complex Support Pathway

Level 2 plus HBS-recognised training or competency development through a verified trainer, approved provider or verified complex care nurse.

Important. HBS verification levels do not mean HBS clinically signs off carers, employs carers, supervises care delivery or guarantees suitability. They help families understand what evidence has been reviewed.

View Verification Levels

Family-led introductions

Families remain the decision maker.

HBS facilitates introduction requests, but families decide who they want to speak with and whether the relationship feels right.

Step 1
Family or professional submits a support need or referral
Step 2
HBS reviews the request
Step 3
Suitable profiles may be suggested
Step 4
Family chooses who to request an introduction with
Step 5
Both sides accept HBS Introduction Terms
Step 6
Contact details or meeting link is released
Step 7
Family and carer decide directly whether to proceed

Introduction types may include

Phone call
Video call
Introductory meeting
Family-led familiarisation meeting
Discussion about routines, expectations and availability

Important

HBS does not manage the ongoing care relationship. Families and independent carers agree arrangements directly.

Protected Introductions

Standard, complex and high-complexity support

HBS can support families looking for different levels of independent support, from more straightforward support through to more complex family-led arrangements.

Standard Support

Companionship
Community access
Routine support
Respite support
Household support
Meal support
Personal care where agreed directly with the independent carer

Carer rate + £2/hr HBS platform fee

Complex Support

Autism support
Epilepsy awareness
PEG awareness
Behaviour support
Children's support
Overnight support
Communication support
Complex routines
Medication awareness
Moving and handling awareness

Carer rate + £3/hr HBS platform fee

High-Complexity Support

Tracheostomy awareness
Ventilation awareness
Complex paediatric routines
High-risk overnight support
Multiple specialist support needs
Highly structured family routines

Carer rate + £4/hr HBS platform fee

Important. HBS does not clinically sign off carers or supervise ongoing care delivery. Families and professionals should use their own judgement and normal professional processes before any arrangement proceeds.

Transparent fees

Clear costs before arrangements proceed.

Independent carers set their own hourly rate. HBS adds a transparent platform fee on top, shown before an introduction or arrangement proceeds.

Example

Carer rate	£24/hr
HBS platform fee	£3/hr
Family total	£27/hr

See Pricing

What the platform fee covers

Profile hosting
Platform access
Verification administration
DBS evidence review
Reference review
Training evidence review
Protected introduction workflow
Support hours records where used
Payment administration where used
Complaints and concerns process
Future introduction support

VAT may apply to HBS platform fees where required.

Families using PHBs or direct payments should check that platform fees, onboarding support fees or training-related costs are consistent with their agreed support plan and funding arrangements.

No care management by HBS

Professionals continue their normal duties around the family.

HBS does not take over the professional role around a family. HBS supports the platform process around independent carer profiles, evidence review, introductions and records.

HBS does not

Directly provide regulated personal care
Employ carers
Manage rotas
Allocate carers to shifts
Supervise care delivery
Clinically sign off carers
Manage care packages
Act as case manager
Act as deputy
Provide legal, financial or clinical advice
Replace statutory safeguarding routes
Guarantee suitability for every situation

Families and representatives remain responsible for making their own decisions before agreeing ongoing arrangements with an independent carer.

A clear route to raise concerns

HBS provides a single complaints and concerns process for families, carers and professionals.

Concern types may include

Safeguarding concern
Conduct concern
Inaccurate profile
Off-platform request
Payment dispute
Training evidence concern
Communication issue
Introduction issue
No-show or attendance concern
Data/privacy concern

HBS may

Review platform concerns
Request more information
Review profile accuracy
Review training evidence or badges
Pause a carer profile while reviewing
Restrict platform access where appropriate
Review payment or support hours records
Record an outcome
Signpost urgent safeguarding routes

Urgent safeguarding. If someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 999 or contact the relevant local authority/NHS safeguarding route. HBS is not an emergency service.

Raise a Concern

How a professional referral works

Step 1
Refer the family
Submit a referral with the family's location, funding type, support needs, hours, urgency and key preferences.
Step 2
HBS reviews the request
HBS reviews the information and may request more detail before suggesting profiles.
Step 3
Profiles may be identified
HBS may identify independent carer profiles based on support type, location, availability, verification level, specialist badges and budget.
Step 4
Family chooses who to speak with
The family remains the decision maker and chooses whether to request an introduction.
Step 5
Protected introduction
Both the family and carer accept HBS Introduction Terms before contact details or meeting links are released.
Step 6
Family and carer agree directly
If the introduction feels right, the family and independent carer agree arrangements directly. HBS does not manage ongoing care.

Why this helps your clients

HBS can help your clients by giving them a structured route to explore independent carer options without removing their choice and control.

Clearer route to independent carers
More information before introductions
Reviewed DBS evidence
Reviewed references
Reviewed training evidence
Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 verification
Specialist badges where approved
Family-led introduction options
Transparent platform fees
Future introduction support if needs change
Route to raise platform concerns
Support hours and payment records where used

This can be especially helpful where a family wants control, but also needs a more organised way to explore independent carer options.

Useful pages

How HBS Works For PHB Families Verification Levels Pricing Protected Introductions Trust & Safety Complaints & Concerns Contact

Refer a family or speak to HBS

If you support a family using a Personal Health Budget, direct payment or private funding, HBS can help them explore verified independent carer profiles and request family-led introductions.

Refer a Family Speak to HBS View Verification Levels

HBS is an introductory, verification and platform support service. HBS does not directly provide regulated personal care services, employ carers, manage rotas, supervise care delivery or direct ongoing support. Independent carers operate independently and families choose carers directly.