An Alternative to Traditional Care Agencies: How Introductory Agencies Are Changing Home Care
When it comes to finding the right home care for yourself or a loved one, the process can often feel overwhelming. Many families turn to traditional care agencies for help - but there’s a growing alternative that’s offering greater flexibility, transparency, and personal connection: introductory agencies.
At Gladys, we’re proud to be part of this positive change - connecting families across Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth, and the South West with trusted, self-employed carers who deliver care that’s as personal as it is professional.
What’s the Difference Between a Care Agency and an Introductory Agency?
Traditional care agencies directly employ their carers. This means the agency manages schedules, pay, and training - but it also means families often have limited choice or control over who provides their care. Carers can change frequently, and hourly rates are often higher due to agency overheads.
In contrast, introductory agencies like Gladys operate differently. We introduce families to vetted, self-employed carers, helping both sides find the right match. Once connected, the carer and client agree their schedule, hours, and rates directly - supported by our ongoing guidance and safeguards.
This model offers the best of both worlds:
- The freedom and continuity of self-employed care
- The safety and reassurance of a fully vetted, quality-checked network
- The flexibility to tailor care around real lives, not rigid timetables
Why Families Choose Introductory Agencies
Choosing care is personal - and that’s exactly why families across the South West are choosing introductory agencies. Here’s why this model works so well:
1. More Choice and Control
You’re not assigned to whoever's available. You can browse profiles, meet carers, and decide who feels like the best fit. That personal connection builds trust from the very start.
2. Continuity of Care
With traditional agencies, staff changes can be frequent. With Gladys, you work directly with one carer (or a small, consistent team), ensuring familiarity, comfort, and stability for your loved one.
3. Better Value for Money
Because self-employed carers set their own rates and there are no large agency overheads, introductory models are often more affordable while still delivering exceptional quality.
4. Tailored to Your Needs
Whether you need a few hours of support each week, overnight help, or full-time live-in care, everything is arranged around your schedule and priorities - not a one-size-fits-all plan.
Why It Works for Carers Too
Gladys’ approach benefits not only families but also carers themselves. Self-employed carers working through an introductory agency enjoy:
- Flexible hours that fit their lifestyle
- Fair pay that reflects their experience and the value they bring
- Freedom to build meaningful relationships with the people they support
- Ongoing professional support from Gladys, including vetting, guidance, and access to trusted clients
By empowering carers to work independently with the right structure behind them, the result is happier carers, better continuity, and higher-quality care for families.
How Gladys Keeps Families Safe
We know that trust is everything when it comes to care. That’s why every Gladys carer is fully vetted before joining our network. This includes:
- Enhanced DBS checks
- Verified references and qualifications
- Face-to-face interviews and values-based screening
- Ongoing support and monitoring
You get the freedom of choosing your own carer - with the reassurance that every person you meet through Gladys meets the highest professional standards.
Real Support, Without the Red Tape
Families often tell us that what they value most about Gladys is our human approach. We’re not here to sell a package or lock you into a contract - we’re here to help you find the right person.
Whether that’s someone to visit a few hours a week, provide live-in support, or simply offer companionship, we’re with you from the first conversation through to long-term care planning.
The Gladys Difference
Our introductory model bridges the gap between agency reliability and independent flexibility.
With Gladys, you get:
- Vetted, compassionate carers matched to your needs
- Fair, transparent pricing - with no hidden fees
- Local expertise and ongoing family support
- The reassurance of a community built on trust
Because care shouldn’t be complicated. It should be personal, safe, and empowering - for everyone involved.
Looking for an Alternative to Traditional Care Agencies?
If you’re exploring home care options in Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth, or across the South West, we’d love to help.
Get in touch with Gladys today to discover how our introductory agency model can give your family - and your carer - the freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind you deserve.
