Companions4u Terms
Client Terms of Business Carer Introduction Service These Terms explain the introduction service provided by Companions4U, the fees payable to us and the separate arrangement under which you pay an introduced self-employed carer directly. Please read them before asking us to begin a search.
The key point is that Companions4U introduces suitable carers. We do not employ the carer, provide the care, collect the carer’s fees or manage the day-to-day care arrangement. After an introduction, the client and carer contract with and pay each other directly.
Definitions
In these Terms, “we”, “us” and “Companions4U” mean the business identified above. “Client” or “you” means the person purchasing our introduction service. “Carer” means a person introduced by us who may provide care services directly to you or the person receiving care. “Introduction” includes supplying a carer’s identity or profile, arranging contact or an interview, or otherwise bringing the Client and Carer into contact. “Care Agreement” means the separate agreement between the Client and Carer.
In these Terms, “we”, “us” and “Companions4U” mean the business identified above. “Client” or “you” means the person purchasing our introduction service. “Carer” means a person introduced by us who may provide care services directly to you or the person receiving care. “Introduction” includes supplying a carer’s identity or profile, arranging contact or an interview, or otherwise bringing the Client and Carer into contact. “Care Agreement” means the separate agreement between the Client and Carer.
Our introduction service
We will discuss your requirements, search for a potentially suitable carer and arrange an introduction. We will take reasonable care in providing this service, but we do not guarantee that a particular carer will accept the work or remain available.
We will discuss your requirements, search for a potentially suitable carer and arrange an introduction. We will take reasonable care in providing this service, but we do not guarantee that a particular carer will accept the work or remain available.
We may review identity, right-to-work evidence, DBS information, references, experience, training and insurance where relevant. Checks provide information available at the time and cannot remove every risk. The Client should review the information supplied, meet or interview the Carer and decide whether the Carer is suitable.
We are an introduction service only. Unless we agree a different regulated service in a separate written contract, we do not set rotas, direct how care is delivered, supervise the Carer, provide emergency cover, guarantee replacements, handle care payments or accept responsibility as the provider of the Carer’s services.
Any estimate of search time is an estimate only. Timing depends on the Client’s needs, location, availability and the Carer’s decision.
Introduction fees payable to Companions4U
The Client pays Companions4U a one-off fee for searching, matching and making the introduction. The applicable fee will be confirmed in writing before the search begins. Current fees are:
The Client pays Companions4U a one-off fee for searching, matching and making the introduction. The applicable fee will be confirmed in writing before the search begins. Current fees are:
Live-in care - £1,500
12-hour day care - £1,000
Awake night care - £1,000
Weekend care - £700
Five continuous hours of care per day - £500
12-hour day care - £1,000
Awake night care - £1,000
Weekend care - £700
Five continuous hours of care per day - £500
A £250 introduction deposit is payable before we begin the search. It is deducted from the applicable final introduction fee.
Unless the booking form states otherwise, the remaining balance becomes due when the Client accepts an introduced Carer or confirms that they wish to arrange care with them, and must be paid before the care starts.
If the Client, the person receiving care, a relative, representative or connected person engages or uses an introduced Carer within 12 months after our most recent Introduction, the applicable introduction fee remains payable, whether the engagement is made directly, through another business or in a different role. This protects the value of the Introduction we provided.
The introduction fee is for our matching and introduction work. It is separate from all amounts payable to the Carer.
Care fees paid directly to the Carer
The following are the current advertised care rates. They are paid directly by the Client to the Carer and are not paid to, collected by or retained by Companions4U:
The following are the current advertised care rates. They are paid directly by the Client to the Carer and are not paid to, collected by or retained by Companions4U:
Live-in care for seven days: £980 - £1,250
12-hour day care: £140.00 - £180.00
12-hour awake night care: £140.00 - £180.00
Hourly care: £18.00 - £22.00 per hour with a minimum booking of five continuous hours
Weekend or other arrangement
Rate agreed directly with the Carer before care begins
The Client and Carer must agree the rate, hours, invoicing, payment date, expenses, cancellations and any holiday or replacement arrangements in their separate Care Agreement.
The Carer invoices the Client directly. Companions4U is not responsible for unpaid invoices, disputed hours, expenses, tax deductions or the Carer’s tax and National Insurance.
The advertised rates may change for future introductions. The rate confirmed between the Client and Carer applies to their Care Agreement.
The direct Client and Carer relationship
Once introduced, the Client engages the Carer directly. Companions4U is not a party to the Care Agreement and does not employ either party.
Once introduced, the Client engages the Carer directly. Companions4U is not a party to the Care Agreement and does not employ either party.
The Client and Carer are responsible for ensuring their actual arrangement is lawful, including their employment status and tax treatment. Describing a Carer as self-employed does not decide their legal status; status depends on the real working arrangement.
The Client is responsible for agreeing a written care plan and Care Agreement, providing accurate information about needs and risks, maintaining a safe working environment and suitable equipment, giving emergency contacts and arranging contingency cover.
The Carer is responsible for working within their competence, maintaining required insurance and registrations, invoicing the Client, dealing with their own tax affairs, and following safeguarding, confidentiality, medication, and health and safety requirements.
If a Carer cannot attend, the Client and Carer are responsible for agreeing what happens. Companions4U does not provide emergency or automatic replacement cover under this introductory service.
Client responsibilities
- Give complete and accurate information about the person’s care needs, medical conditions, mobility, behaviour, medication, home environment, pets, smoking, risks and required skills.
- Tell us promptly if requirements change or if care is no longer required.
- Check the information provided about a proposed Carer and make the final suitability decision.
- Treat introduced carers respectfully and provide a safe environment free from harassment, abuse and unlawful discrimination.
- Pay our introduction fees and the Carer’s invoices when due.
- Do not ask a Carer to perform tasks outside their competence, insurance or lawful authority.
- Tell us promptly about any serious concern relating to an introduction, while contacting emergency services or safeguarding authorities directly where urgent.
Cancellations and the 7-day cooling-off period
If the Client enters into these Terms online, by telephone or away from our business premises, the Client will normally have 7 days from the date the contract is made to cancel without giving a reason. To cancel, the Client must send a clear statement by email or post using the contact details above.
If the Client enters into these Terms online, by telephone or away from our business premises, the Client will normally have 7 days from the date the contract is made to cancel without giving a reason. To cancel, the Client must send a clear statement by email or post using the contact details above.
The Client may ask us to begin the search during the 7-day cancellation period by signing the express request below or by providing an equivalent written request. If the Client then cancels within that period, we may deduct or charge a reasonable proportion for work properly completed up to cancellation.
If, at the Client’s express request, we fully perform the introduction service during the cancellation period and the Client acknowledged that the right to cancel would be lost once the service was fully performed, the cancellation right ends at that point. This does not affect rights where our service was not provided with reasonable care and skill.
If the Client cancels after the cooling-off period but before an Introduction, we may retain or charge an amount that fairly reflects work already completed and unavoidable costs, up to the agreed introduction fee. We will not impose a charge that would be unfair or disproportionate.
If an Introduction has already been made, the applicable introduction fee is payable subject to the Client’s statutory rights and any written refund or replacement promise we expressly made. A Carer ending the separate care arrangement does not automatically undo an Introduction that has already been provided.
8 Complaints, concerns and safeguarding
Please raise a complaint about our introduction service promptly using the contact details above. We will acknowledge it, review the available information and respond within a reasonable time. Any concerns about the Carer’s day-to-day services should normally be raised directly with the Carer, as Companions4U does not manage the care. The Client should nevertheless inform us about serious suitability or safeguarding concerns so we can review whether to make future introductions.
In an emergency call 999. Safeguarding concerns should be reported to the relevant local authority safeguarding team or, where appropriate, to the police. Reporting to us is not a substitute for contacting the proper authority.
Liability
We are responsible for foreseeable loss resulting from our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the introduction service. We are not responsible for the Carer’s acts, omissions, availability or care services because the Carer contracts directly with the Client.
We are not responsible for indirect or unforeseeable loss, loss caused by inaccurate or withheld Client information, or a failure by the Client or Carer to follow their own agreement or legal duties.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where the law does not allow it, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or the Client’s statutory consumer rights.
Confidentiality and personal information
We will use personal and special-category information, including information about care and health needs, to assess requirements, identify and introduce carers, communicate with the Client and meet legal or safeguarding duties. We will share only the information reasonably needed for these purposes and will handle it in accordance with applicable data protection law and our privacy notice. The Client confirms that they have authority to provide information about the person receiving care or another individual, or that another lawful basis applies. The Client must keep carer profiles and documents confidential and must not use or share them except to consider or manage the proposed care arrangement
General terms
We may update these Terms for future searches. The version accepted by the Client applies to the current instruction unless both parties agree a change in writing.
We may update these Terms for future searches. The version accepted by the Client applies to the current instruction unless both parties agree a change in writing.
If a term is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms continue. A delay in enforcing a right does not waive it.
These Terms and the booking form contain the agreement between the Client and Companions4U concerning the introduction service. They do not form the separate Care Agreement between the Client and Carer.
