A voluntary, national infrastructure for independent carers to operate safely and legitimately
Local authorities are increasingly working with self-employed personal assistants and independent carers, particularly through Direct Payments and personalised arrangements.
Across this part of the system, there is often variation and uncertainty around:
The National Register of Independent Carers (NRIC) is being developed as a voluntary national infrastructure to support clearer, more consistent understanding in this space.
It brings together a core set of baseline checks, maintains that status over time, and makes registration status visible and portable. It provides clearer guidance on employment status, regulatory boundaries and the conditions in which independent arrangements can operate safely and legitimately.
NRIC is not:
- A directory, marketplace or platform
- A matching or placement service
- A preferred provider list
- A requirement for Direct Payments
It does not make decisions, endorsements or assurances on behalf of councils. Local judgement, safeguarding responsibility and decision-making remain unchanged.
Recognition of NRIC is optional and intended to be light-touch. It can sit alongside existing Direct Payment support, local directories, marketplaces and information platforms. Councils may choose to reference NRIC registration status as one source of information alongside others they already use.
There is no requirement to:
- Change local systems
- Promote NRIC
- Route people through NRIC
- Adopt NRIC as a scheme
Any use is discretionary and informational only.
NRIC is still being developed. Early recognition helps ensure that what emerges remains voluntary, proportionate, and aligned with HMRC and CQC expectations, and reflects how independent care operates in practice. Engagement at this stage is about shaping fit and boundaries, not committing to a finished model.
If your authority is content to recognise NRIC on this basis, please complete the short form below. Recognition records awareness of NRIC as voluntary infrastructure only. It creates no cost, no obligation, no procurement commitment, and no endorsement of individual carers.
NRIC is a voluntary registration route for independent, self-employed carers. It records completion of core checks and provides a way to confirm current registration status.
NRIC is designed to sit alongside existing local systems and directories. It does not replace local judgement, safeguarding responsibilities or existing routes to support.
Recognise NRIC
If your authority is content to recognise NRIC on this basis, please complete the short form below. You can also indicate whether you would like occasional updates as NRIC develops.