Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith. Reviewed for accuracy against the Homecare Association's 2026/27 minimum-price report and Age UK's 2026 factsheets. Numbers verified 21 June 2026.

Bluebird Care: 2026 honest profile

Bluebird Care is the UK's largest home-care franchise network, with 220+ offices serving 20,000+ customers.

What Bluebird Care charges in 2026

Quote-only. Rates not published nationally; each franchise sets its own price after a free assessment. Carer pay rates of £11.60 to £17.12/hr are public on Bluebird's site.

Pricing source: https://www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/, verified 21 June 2026. National Homecare Association minimum sustainable price for 2026/27 is £34.42/hr[1] for context.

Model

Franchise network.

CQC profile

Individual franchises CQC-registered separately; quality varies by branch with several Outstanding offices and the bulk rated Good.

How it compares

• Helping Hands: published headline rates.
• Bluebird Care: franchise, quote-only.
• Elder: introductory live-in.
• The Good Care Group: managed live-in.
• All 2026/27 hourly rates.