Finding the right support for a parent or loved one can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to balance work, family, and making sure they're in safe hands. Whether you're looking for occasional companionship, help around the home, or more dedicated senior care, here's a simple checklist to help you ask the right questions before you book.
1. Identity & Background Checks
Ask whether the companion or carer has been identity-verified. A reputable platform should confirm identity through a proper check — such as biometric ID verification — before anyone appears as bookable.
For care-related support (personal care, senior care, live-in support), confirm the individual holds a valid Enhanced DBS certificate, and that it specifically includes a check against the Adults' Barred List.
Check it's registered on the DBS Update Service. This lets you (or the platform) verify the certificate is still current — not just that one was issued at some point in the past.
2. Payment Safety
Avoid paying cash directly, or transferring money to a personal bank account, before a service has actually been confirmed.
Use a platform that holds payment securely until the visit has taken place — this protects both you and the person providing support.
Ask about the refund policy in case a visit is cancelled or doesn't go ahead as planned.
3. What Happens After You Book
Once your booking is confirmed, you should have a way to message the companion directly — to ask questions, share any specific needs, and agree details like timing before the visit itself.
Use this as a chance to get a feel for them and make sure you're both on the same page.
A good platform gives you a clear channel to communicate, rather than leaving you to work everything out blind.
4. Visit Check-In & Safety
Ask how you'll know a visit has actually started — a good platform will have some form of check-in confirmation, such as a code entered on arrival.
Confirm you'll be notified when the visit begins and ends.
If the support is for a vulnerable family member, ask whether a family member or emergency contact is notified automatically.
5. Reviewing a Profile Properly
Take time to read the companion's full profile. Experience and qualifications are often self-declared, so look carefully at what's actually stated, rather than assuming everything has been independently checked.
Look for clear verification badges (such as ID Verified or Enhanced DBS Checked) rather than assuming all profiles carry the same level of vetting.
Trust your own judgement. A good platform lets you review and decide for yourself — it shouldn't rush you into booking.
How DayFriend Handles This
DayFriend is a UK marketplace connecting families with vetted, self-employed companions and carers — for everything from errands and appointments to travel assistance and senior support.
Companions are verified through biometric identity checks or Enhanced DBS checks, depending on the type of service.
Once your booking is confirmed, you can message your companion directly to ask questions and agree details before the visit.
Payments are held securely and only released once your visit is confirmed complete, with a check-in system to confirm the companion has arrived.
If you'd like to see how it works, you can browse companions and services at dayfriend.co.uk.