Different services can overlap during the same visit. A companionship visit might include preparing lunch; practical support might include collecting a prescription. The provider still needs to be clear about which activities it can safely and lawfully undertake.
Social connection
Companionship
Companionship is time spent with someone for conversation, reassurance, shared interests or getting out into the community.
- A chat over tea
- Company for hobbies
- A gentle walk or local outing
- A familiar visit during the week
Everyday practical help
Home support
Home support is a broad description rather than one regulated activity. It can include non-personal practical tasks that help ordinary life continue at home.
- Shopping and light household tasks
- Meal planning and preparation
- Prescription collection and agreed reminders
- Respite visits within the provider’s scope
A regulated activity
Personal care
CQC describes regulated personal care as physical assistance—or specified prompting and supervision—with activities such as washing, dressing or toileting when the person cannot perform them without that support because of age, illness or disability.
- Hands-on help with washing or dressing
- Hands-on toileting support
- Direct prompting or supervision that falls within the legal definition
- Care delivered in the place where the person lives
Why the person’s ability and the nature of the help matter
Preparing a bathroom, fetching towels or laying out clothes may be practical support when the person can decide and complete the activity themselves. Physically assisting them because they cannot complete it is different. The exact facts determine whether the activity is regulated—not simply what the visit is called.
What about medication support?
CQC states that a service providing only support to administer, prompt or supervise medicines does not need to register for the regulated activity of personal care if it does not provide activities within the definition of personal care. Medication work still requires assessment, an agreed plan, clear records, competence and appropriate escalation.
Unity Home Care’s current boundary
If a request moves into regulated or clinical activity, we will explain that and recommend speaking to an appropriately registered provider or relevant professional. We will update this guidance if Unity’s registration status changes.
Questions to ask any provider
- Which exact activities are included in the agreed plan?
- Is the provider CQC registered for any regulated activity it proposes to deliver?
- How will changes in the person’s ability be reviewed?
- What will happen if a visit begins to require support outside the provider’s scope?
Sources and further information
- Care Quality Commission: Personal care regulated activity
- The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
- Care Quality Commission: Check if you need to register
External guidance can change. These sources were checked on 9 August 2026.