1.2 Compare the roles of people and agencies who may be needed to support an individual to live at home

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Compare the roles of people and agencies who may be needed to support an individual to live at home.

Supporting someone to live at home involves different people and agencies working together. Each plays a specific part in care and support. Sometimes, these roles overlap, but each has unique responsibilities. Comparing them helps you understand what they provide and how they work for the individual.

This guide looks closely at the roles of both people and agencies that support individuals to live safely and well at home.

Informal Support: Family, Friends, and Neighbours

Family Members

Family members are often the main source of support. They may:

• Help with personal care, meals, and medication
• Offer emotional support and companionship
• Monitor changes in health or wellbeing
• Communicate with professionals
• Manage finances and appointments

The help they give is usually unpaid and based on trust and love. Family carers often know the individual’s preferences and history better than anyone else.

Friends and Neighbours

Friends and neighbours might provide:

• Practical help (shopping, chores, gardening)
• Social support and visits
• Emergency help
• Keeping an eye out for any problems

Their role is usually less formal but can be vital in reducing loneliness and providing a sense of community connection.

Formal Support: Health and Social Care Staff

Domiciliary Care Workers (Home Carers)

Home carers provide paid support with daily living. Their main duties include:

• Assisting with personal care, such as washing and dressing
• Preparing meals and snacks
• Supporting medication routines
• Cleaning and laundry
• Acting as a link between the individual and families or other professionals

Home carers follow care plans and work within the rules set by their organisations and the law. They are trained in safe working, dignity, and confidentiality.

Community Nurses (District Nurses)

Community nurses support people at home who need medical care. They can:

• Change dressings
• Administer injections
• Monitor long-term conditions (like diabetes or heart failure)
• Support with catheter care
• Train family members in basic medical tasks
• Liaise with GPs and hospitals

Their involvement is based on the person’s health needs and is often organised through GP referrals.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists help people adapt their homes so they can be safe and independent. They:

• Assess how the person manages daily living tasks
• Recommend changes, such as grab rails, stairlifts, or equipment
• Arrange for home adaptations and supply aids
• Teach both the person and carers how to use equipment safely
• Support recovery or manage disability

Their work focuses on practical solutions to increase safety and independence.

Social Workers

Social workers coordinate care and support packages. Their key roles include:

• Carrying out needs assessments
• Identifying services available to meet those needs
• Helping create and review care plans
• Safeguarding individuals at risk of harm or abuse
• Supporting with benefits, housing, or advocacy
• Linking with families and community resources

They focus on the wider picture of social, emotional, and practical needs.

GPs (General Practitioners)

GPs oversee the person’s general medical care. They:

• Diagnose and manage health conditions
• Prescribe medicines
• Refer to specialists or other health professionals
• Give follow-up care and health checks
• Give advice to individuals and families

Their involvement is regular and forms the foundation for health care in the community.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists help individuals maintain or regain mobility and physical strength. They:

• Assess mobility and discuss movement problems
• Create exercise plans
• Provide walking aids
• Advise on ways to prevent falls
• Help with rehabilitation after illness or injury

Their work helps people remain active and prevent loss of function.

Specialist Support and Agencies

Mental Health Teams

Mental health workers include psychiatric nurses, mental health social workers, and counsellors. They support those with mental health problems by:

• Giving therapy or counselling
• Supporting with medication and treatment
• Crisis support during acute episodes
• Linking with GPs and other services

Their role helps keep people safe and emotionally well at home.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists support safe medication management. They:

• Advise on medicines and side effects
• Arrange medication delivery
• Check for interactions between medicines
• Provide medication compliance aids (such as dosette boxes)
• Visit at home for medicine reviews (in some areas)

Working closely with other professionals, pharmacists help reduce the risk of medication errors.

Voluntary and Charity Groups

Many charities and community groups provide support for people living at home. Support might include:

• Befriending services
• Hot meal delivery (meals on wheels)
• Transport to appointments
• Advocacy services
• Advice and information

Well-known organisations include Age UK, the British Red Cross, and local groups specific to different conditions.

Housing Associations

Housing associations may play a role in:

• Adapting homes for safety
• Providing repairs and maintenance
• Offering supported housing schemes
• Linking to support workers

Safe, well-maintained housing is central to living well at home.

Specialist Agencies

Some conditions, such as dementia, sensory impairment or learning disability, need specialist support agencies. These agencies might:

• Offer expert advice and strategies
• Provide direct care and respite
• Help with communication aids
• Organise groups, activities, or holidays

Agencies like the Alzheimer’s Society or RNIB provide trusted support and resources.

Emergency Services

Paramedics and Ambulance Services

In urgent situations, ambulance staff respond to medical emergencies at home. They:

• Assess health crises quickly
• Provide treatment or stabilisation
• Decide if hospital admission is needed
• Work with other home support services when possible

Fire and Rescue Services

Fire services may:

• Offer fire safety checks
• Fit smoke alarms
• Give advice about preventing accidents

These services help keep the home environment safe for vulnerable people.

Local Authority Support

Local authorities organise and fund much of the formal home care. Their roles cover:

• Assessing eligibility for support
• Funding care packages or equipment
• Providing information and guidance
• Safeguarding duties
• Commissioning both public and private care services

Their involvement is guided by laws like the Care Act 2014.

Comparing Roles

Informal Versus Formal Support

• Informal support is unpaid, flexible, and emotionally close
• Formal workers are trained, paid, and regulated
• Informal supporters know the person best, but may lack skills
• Formal staff provide specialist help and uphold professional standards

Health Versus Social Support

• Health workers focus on physical and mental health needs
• Social care staff help with daily living and wellbeing
• Both need to work together for best results

Individual Agencies Compared

Role/Agency	Focus area	Example Skills/Tasks	Paid or Unpaid?
Family & Friends	Everyday life/emotional	Meals, companionship, transport	Unpaid
Home Care Workers	Daily living, personal	Washing, dressing, housework, shopping	Paid, trained
Community Nurses	Health & medical needs	Dressings, injections, monitoring conditions	Paid, qualified
Social Workers	Co-ordination, safeguarding	Assessments, advocacy, care plans	Paid, qualified
GPs	Medical oversight	Prescriptions, check-ups, referrals	Paid, registered
Occupational Therapists	Independence & adaptation	Equipment, training, home adaptations	Paid, registered
Physiotherapists	Mobility & function	Exercise, rehabilitation, fall prevention	Paid, qualified
Voluntary Groups	Social/practical support	Befriending, transport, advice	Usually unpaid
Specialist Agencies	Complex needs	Communication aids, respite, advice	Mixed
Pharmacists	Medication management	Prescription checks, advice, delivery	Paid, qualified

Value of Working Together

Good support happens when everyone works as a team. This is known as multi-disciplinary or integrated working. Regular communication and clear roles reduce gaps or duplication in care. The individual’s wishes and needs remain at the centre of planning.

Final Thoughts

Many people and agencies can support an individual to live at home. Each plays a different but linked part. Informal supporters like family and friends provide personal and emotional help. Formal staff bring professional skills in health, social care, and specialist areas. Charities and local groups offer social and practical support. Emergency services keep people safe during crises.

Comparing these roles shows the strengths and limits of each. All are important for safe, effective, and person-centred home support. Good communication and teamwork between them is essential for the best outcomes for the individual.