Over the past few years, the way people receive care has changed dramatically.
According to Skills for Care’s 2025 data, the number of CQC-regulated domiciliary care services has risen by an incredible 72% since 2018, increasing from 8,856 to 15,232 locations.
At the same time, the number of care homes has slightly declined, a clear sign that more people want to receive support in the comfort of their own homes.
But this shift isn’t just about where care happens. It’s also about how care is delivered, the types of support people need, and the new skills emerging across the sector.
Why More People Are Choosing Home Care
There are many reasons why home care has become such a popular choice, and they all come down to people wanting comfort, dignity, and control over their own lives.
Staying independent: Most of us feel happiest in familiar surroundings, surrounded by the people, pets and places we love. Home care helps people maintain that sense of independence for longer.
Ageing well at home: As people live longer and often manage more complex conditions, home-based care offers flexibility and truly person-centred support that adapts to changing needs.
Changing priorities in health and social care: Policymakers and local authorities increasingly recognise that supporting people at home can ease pressure on hospitals while improving quality of life.
Smarter technology: From digital care planning to remote health monitoring, technology is helping carers deliver safer, more efficient, and responsive care right where people need it.
Because of this shift, domiciliary care now employs around 595,000 people across England, with tens of thousands of new roles created in the past year alone.
Evolving Roles and Skills in the Community
As more care is delivered in people’s homes, the roles and skills needed are changing too.
While traditional care roles remain at the heart of the sector, there’s growing demand for new kinds of expertise, such as:
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Care coordinators and team leaders who support carers working across multiple locations.
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Specialist carers trained to assist people with complex needs, such as dementia or learning disabilities.
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Tech-savvy carers confident in using digital tools and assistive technology to improve outcomes.
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Community connectors who help reduce isolation and build stronger local support networks.
These evolving roles mean care providers are rethinking how they attract, train, and retain staff.
Skills for Care reports that around 35% of domiciliary care staff work on zero-hour contracts, reflecting the sector’s need for flexibility. The positive news is that vacancy rates are now falling, suggesting that organisations offering clear development pathways and supportive work cultures are doing better at keeping great people.
What Does This Mean for Recruitment?
For care providers, the rise of domiciliary care brings both exciting opportunities and new challenges.
Finding the right people, those who are not only skilled but also genuinely compassionate and reliable, has never been more important.
At RJS Resourcing, we understand how quickly the care workforce is evolving. As more care moves into the community, we’re helping organisations build strong, flexible teams, from experienced care coordinators and senior support workers to those taking their first step into care.
We take pride in matching dedicated people with employers who share their values. Because while the sector may be changing, one thing will always stay the same: it’s people who make great care possible.