Supported Living and Home Care Management (Clinical and Non-Clinical Operations); Compliance and Auditing Specialists

Unique IQ

Unique IQ makes care management and remote workforce management easy by improving communication with staff and reducing unnecessary paperwork to control costs.

Overview

Headquarters: Redditch, United Kingdom
Categories: Supported Living and Home Care Management (Clinical and Non-Clinical Operations); Compliance and Auditing Specialists
Core Product: IQ:caremanager (end‑to‑end care management and workforce management platform)

Introduction

Unique IQ is a UK‑based provider of care management and remote workforce management software, designed to simplify operations, improve communication, and reduce paperwork for care providers. Founded in 2003, Unique IQ has become a trusted partner for domiciliary care agencies, supported living providers, and complex care organisations across the UK.

Its flagship product, IQ:caremanager, is an end‑to‑end care management system that unifies rostering, call monitoring, eMAR, payroll, HR, compliance, and reporting into a single cloud‑based platform. By consolidating these functions, Unique IQ enables providers to improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and deliver high‑quality, person‑centred care.

Unique IQ’s mission is to “make care management easy” by giving providers the tools to manage staff, clients, and compliance seamlessly, while empowering carers with mobile apps and families with transparent communication.

User Feedback: Strengths and Weaknesses

Feedback for Unique IQ comes from Trustpilot (4.6/5, 18 reviews), case studies, and sector directories. Overall, sentiment is strongly positive, though some caveats are noted.

Positive Feedback

  • Ease of use
    Carers and managers describe the system as intuitive and straightforward. Staff with limited digital skills report being able to adapt quickly.

  • Comprehensive coverage
    Providers highlight the breadth of IQ:caremanager, which covers rostering, payroll, eMAR, compliance, and reporting in one system.

  • Efficiency gains
    Managers report significant time savings in scheduling, payroll preparation, and compliance reporting. One review noted: “We don’t know what we would have done without Unique IQ’s software during the pandemic.”

  • Customer support
    Testimonials frequently mention Unique IQ’s responsive support team and collaborative approach. Users describe the company as a “partner” rather than just a supplier.

  • Compliance and auditing
    Providers value the inspection‑ready reports, audit trails, and compliance dashboards, which simplify CQC inspections.

  • Customisation
    Users appreciate the ability to configure workflows, forms, and reports to match their organisation’s needs.

  • Innovation
    Unique IQ is praised for continuous development, with AI‑powered insights and open API integrations.

Negative Feedback and Caveats

  • Learning curve for advanced features
    While the basics are intuitive, some managers report that advanced modules (e.g., analytics, custom reporting) require training.

  • Integration scope
    While Unique IQ integrates with over 600 third‑party systems via open APIs, some providers note challenges connecting with legacy platforms.

  • System reliability
    A minority of reviews mention occasional downtime or performance issues, though these are generally resolved quickly.

  • Cost considerations
    Smaller providers note that while Unique IQ delivers strong value, subscription costs may be higher than basic alternatives.

  • Mobile optimisation
    While carers have access to a mobile app, some users request further enhancements for offline functionality.

In summary, user sentiment is strongly positive around comprehensiveness, efficiency, and support, while challenges include advanced training, integration scope, and cost.

Products and Capabilities

IQ:caremanager (Flagship Platform)

  • Care Planning and Management

    • Digital care plans and assessments

    • Real‑time care notes and incident reporting

    • Risk assessments and outcome tracking

    • Client and family portal for transparency

  • Rostering and Scheduling

    • Drag‑and‑drop rota builder

    • Smart scheduling with carer‑client matching

    • GPS‑verified clock‑ins and call monitoring

    • Real‑time alerts for missed visits

  • Medication Management (eMAR)

    • Digital MAR charts with audit trails

    • Alerts for missed or incorrect doses

    • Stock control and reconciliation

  • HR and Workforce Management

    • Staff records and compliance tracking

    • Training and qualification management

    • Absence and holiday management

    • Payroll integration

  • Finance and Payroll

    • Automated payroll linked to rosters

    • Invoicing and billing for multiple funding streams

    • Integration with Sage, Xero, and other finance systems

  • Compliance and Auditing

    • Inspection‑ready reports and audit trails

    • Safeguarding protocols and incident reporting

    • Policy management and governance tools

  • Analytics and Reporting

    • Dashboards for managers and providers

    • Standard reports and custom report builder

    • AI‑powered insights to identify trends and risks

  • Mobile App for Carers

    • Real‑time access to schedules and care plans

    • Secure messaging and communication

    • Offline functionality (limited)

  • Open API Integrations

    • Connects with over 600 third‑party systems (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Suite, Slack)

    • Enables seamless data flow across platforms

Interoperability and Standards

Unique IQ is designed as a comprehensive, interoperable platform, with:

  • NHS DSCR alignment: Supporting digital social care record adoption

  • GDPR compliance: Encryption, secure hosting, and audit trails

  • ISO certifications: Quality and information security standards

  • Open API structure: Enables integration with 600+ third‑party systems

  • Cloud‑based access: Available on desktop, tablet, and mobile

Market Position

Unique IQ operates primarily in the UK, serving:

  • Domiciliary care agencies

  • Supported living providers

  • Complex care organisations

  • Multi‑site care groups

It differentiates itself through:

  • End‑to‑end coverage: Rostering, payroll, eMAR, compliance, and reporting in one system

  • Innovation: AI‑powered insights and open API integrations

  • Customisation: Configurable workflows and reports

  • Partnership approach: Collaborative support and continuous development

  • Scalability: Suitable for small agencies and large care groups

Competitors include Birdie, CarePlanner, CareLineLive, and Access Group. Unique IQ positions itself as the end‑to‑end, innovation‑driven alternative, particularly attractive to providers seeking efficiency and integration.

Implementation and Support

Unique IQ emphasises a collaborative onboarding process, with:

  • Free demos and consultations

  • Onboarding workshops and training

  • Dedicated Customer Success Managers

  • 24/7 support line with human agents

  • Regular updates and feature enhancements

Providers report smooth implementation and strong support, though advanced configuration requires time and training.

Security and Data Protection

Unique IQ prioritises data security, with:

  • GDPR compliance

  • Encryption and secure hosting

  • Role‑based access controls

  • Audit trails and accountability logs

  • Regular backups and disaster recovery protocols

Conclusion

Unique IQ is a leading UK provider of care management and workforce management software, offering a comprehensive, cloud‑based platform that unifies rostering, payroll, eMAR, compliance, and reporting. Its strength lies in being an end‑to‑end, configurable solution that improves efficiency, ensures compliance, and empowers carers and managers alike.

User feedback consistently highlights comprehensiveness, efficiency, and responsive support, while challenges include advanced training, integration scope, and cost.

For care providers seeking a trusted, innovation‑driven platform with strong regulatory credentials and comprehensive functionality, Unique IQ represents a credible and established option. Its emphasis on end‑to‑end coverage, open API integrations, and AI‑powered insights positions it as a key player in the UK care management software market.

References

  1. Trustpilot – Unique IQ Reviews https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/uniqueiq.co.uk

  2. Unique IQ – IQ:caremanager Product Overview https://www.uniqueiq.co.uk/our-products/iqcaremanager/

  3. Unique IQ – Care Management Solutions https://www.uniqueiq.co.uk/our-solutions/care-management/

  4. Home Care Insight – Unique IQ Announces Revolutionary Care Management System https://www.homecareinsight.co.uk/unique-iq-announces-revolutionary-care-management-system-launch/