An alternative to care staffing agencies
Most providers cover gaps with agency staff, their own bank, or a mix. Booking verified Professionals directly is a third option: you choose the person, see their checks before you book, and pay their own rate plus a 13.5% platform fee instead of an agency’s charge rate.
Why care providers look for an alternative to agencies
Cost. An agency’s charge rate pays for the worker, the agency’s on-costs and overheads, and its margin. The care agency costs guide shows how a rate is built.
Who turns up. With an agency you get whoever is sent, and continuity matters to the people you care for.
Evidence. You need to know the checks are in place before someone starts, not after a request to the agency.
Agency, bank or booking directly: how they compare
A general comparison of the three models. Terms vary between agencies and between providers’ own banks.
| Aspect | Agency | Your own bank | Booking directly on VerriPro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who the worker works for | The agency employs or engages them | You employ them on a bank contract | Independent Professionals: self-employed or paid through an umbrella company |
| How the price is set | The agency’s charge rate: pay, on-costs, overheads and margin | Your pay rate plus your employer on-costs | The Professional’s own rate plus VerriPro’s 13.5% platform fee |
| Who you get | Whoever the agency sends | Your own bank staff | You choose from profiles: experience, specialisms, rate and availability |
| Seeing compliance | Profiles or compliance packs on request | Your own HR records | Each Professional’s verification status, before you book |
| Continuity | Varies by agency and shift | Good, if your bank is large enough | Book the same Professional again, or set up recurring visits |
| Cover at short notice | The agency finds someone | Depends on who is free | You search and book who is available near you |
What a 13.5% platform fee means per shift
A Professional who sets £20 an hour costs £22.70 an hour through VerriPro, plus VAT on the £2.70 fee where it applies. For a 12-hour shift that is £272.40. Put in your own agency rate to compare:
- Agency, for the shift
- £360.00
- VerriPro: rate plus 13.5% fee
- £272.40
- Difference
- £87.60
Example values; type your own. VerriPro’s side is the Professional’s rate × 1.135, before VAT on the fee where it applies. Each Professional sets their own rate.
Compliance you can see before you book
Only Professionals approved by the VerriPro team can be found and booked, and their verification status is shown on their profile. With the Professional’s consent, you can see their Compliance Passport: their verified compliance status and history.
The checks are made on the documents the Professional provides. If a required document expires, they cannot take new bookings until a valid replacement is approved.
What the VerriPro team reviews
- Enhanced DBS certificate
- Right to work in the UK
- Identity and proof of address
- Qualifications and training certificates
- Professional registration (NMC, HCPC or GMC) where the role needs it
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Two references
When an agency is still the right call
- You want someone else to find and send a replacement when a worker drops out.
- You need a role or a level of cover that few Professionals offer near your services yet. Check the area pages to see who is listed near you.
- You want a block contract, with one supplier responsible for filling a rota.
The models are not exclusive. Booking directly can sit alongside your bank and an agency, for the shifts where choosing the person matters most.
Questions providers ask
About booking Professionals directly.
Get started
Create an organisation account to search verified Professionals near your services, or ask for a demo first.
Are you a care Professional? Find flexible care work at your own rate.