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ShiftCare vs. Access Care Planning

Access Care Planning is an enterprise care suite. ShiftCare is a simpler choice for small and medium agencies.

Where ShiftCare differs

  • One published price per user and a free trial
  • Self-serve set-up in days
  • Invoicing, billing, payroll and a family portal

8,000 care providers deliver $5B of care a year with ShiftCare.

Side by side

Where each platform fits.

ShiftCare and Access Care Planning, feature by feature: what you get with both, where they differ and where Access Care Planning is the better fit.

19 of 19 shown

ShiftCare compared with Access Care Planning
What mattersShiftCareAccess Care Planning
Pricing and support
Countries Australia, USA, Canada, UK United Kingdom
Best fit Small to medium agencies Medium to large / enterprise
Price From £7 user / month, billed annually modular / quote-based
Free trial 7 days on Premium. No credit card required. Not listed
Time to launch Days, self-serve Implementation-led
Scheduling and apps
Scheduling and rostering Included Included
App for care workers Included Included
Care and compliance
Digital care plans Included Included
eMAR and medication Included Included
Progress notes Included Included
CQC compliance Included Included
Friends and family portal Included Not listed
Custom forms Included Not listed
Reporting and dashboards Included Included
Billing and integrations
Client invoice generation Included Not listed
Billing Included Not listed
Mileage expenses Included Not listed
Timesheets and payroll Included Not listed
Accounting integrations Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB + more Not listed

Based on each company’s published product and pricing. A tick means the feature is listed, not that it works the same way in both. Access Care Planning facts from publicly available information and customer feedback, as of July 2026. ShiftCare isn’t affiliated with Access Care Planning. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

Your switchPlanningReady
Switching call booked
Offer for your team
Records ready to move
Thinking of switching?

Switch from Access Care Planning. We’ll make it worth your while.

  1. Book a switching call

    Show us how you run Access Care Planning today. We’ll show you the same rotas, care plans and invoices in ShiftCare.

  2. Get an offer for your team

    Tell us your team size and when your Access Care Planning plan renews. We’ll put together an offer that makes the move easy.

  3. We’ll take care of the move

    We help you export your records, check a sample in ShiftCare and bring your team across.

“As a multi service provider, we needed a system that could manage complexity without creating more work for our teams. ShiftCare has given us a single, intuitive platform to manage care plans, medication and compliance.”

Nadine AnthonySocial Care Manager, Ambition24
FAQ

Questions about switching from Access Care Planning.

What is Access Care Planning?

Access Care Planning is a digital care management platform used by UK care providers to manage care plans, daily care records, medication administration, and compliance documentation. It helps organisations replace paper-based processes with digital workflows, making it easier to document care, share information across teams, and maintain accurate records for better care delivery.

What is Access Care Planning used for?

Access Care Planning is used to create and manage person-centred care plans, record daily care activities, monitor medication, track incidents, and support regulatory record-keeping. It is designed to help care providers improve operational efficiency while ensuring staff have access to up-to-date information about the people they support.

Is Access Care Planning suitable for domiciliary care?

Access Care Planning can be used by domiciliary care providers, although organisations should assess whether its features align with their operational needs. When comparing care management software, providers often consider scheduling, mobile access, reporting, ease of use, and workforce management to determine which solution best supports community-based care.

Does Access Care Planning have a mobile app?

Yes. Access Care Planning offers mobile functionality that allows care staff to access client information, update care records, and document care while away from the office. Mobile access helps improve communication between office teams and frontline carers while reducing reliance on paper records.

Is ShiftCare a good alternative to Access Care Planning?

Yes. ShiftCare is a popular alternative for UK care providers looking for an easy-to-use platform that combines digital care planning, staff rostering, scheduling, medication management, reporting, and communication. Its intuitive design helps reduce administrative work while supporting high-quality, person-centred care across domiciliary and community care services.

What's the difference between ShiftCare and Access Care Planning?

Both platforms support digital care management, but they differ in user experience, workflow, and operational focus. ShiftCare combines care planning with workforce scheduling, real-time communication, reporting, and mobile care delivery in a single platform, helping providers manage both care delivery and daily operations more efficiently.

Which is easier to use: ShiftCare or Access Care Planning?

Ease of use depends on your team’s needs and experience. Many providers choose ShiftCare because of its intuitive interface and straightforward navigation, allowing carers and office staff to learn the platform quickly. An easy-to-use system can improve staff adoption and reduce the time spent on training and administration.

Can I switch from Access Care Planning to ShiftCare?

Yes. Organisations moving from another care management platform can work with the ShiftCare team to plan a structured migration. This typically includes data transfer, platform configuration, onboarding, and staff training, helping minimise disruption while ensuring continuity of care throughout the transition.

How long does it take to migrate from Access Care Planning?

Migration timelines vary depending on the size of your organisation, the amount of data being transferred, and your implementation requirements. Smaller providers may complete the process relatively quickly, while larger organisations with multiple services may require additional planning to ensure a smooth rollout.

Does ShiftCare support CQC compliance?

ShiftCare helps providers maintain secure digital care records, care plans, medication documentation, audit trails, and reporting that support the record-keeping expectations of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). While software cannot guarantee compliance, these features help organisations prepare for inspections and maintain high documentation standards.

Does ShiftCare include electronic care planning?

Yes. ShiftCare enables providers to create, manage, and update electronic care plans that reflect each client’s changing needs. Care teams can securely access the latest care information, record observations, and update plans in real time, helping deliver safe, consistent, and person-centred care.

Can ShiftCare help with staff scheduling and rostering?

Yes. ShiftCare includes integrated scheduling and rostering tools that simplify shift allocation, manage staff availability, and coordinate client visits. By combining workforce management with care planning, providers can improve efficiency, reduce scheduling conflicts, and ensure the right carers are assigned to the right clients.

Why are care providers choosing ShiftCare over Access Care Planning?

Many providers evaluate ShiftCare because they want software that is easy to use, scalable, and designed to support both care delivery and workforce management. Features such as integrated scheduling, mobile access, digital care plans, reporting, and responsive customer support make ShiftCare a strong option for organisations looking to streamline operations.

Which care management software is best for UK care providers?

The best care management software depends on your organisation’s size, services, and operational priorities. When comparing platforms, consider ease of use, care planning, scheduling, reporting, mobile accessibility, implementation support, and scalability. Choosing software that aligns with your workflows can improve efficiency and help deliver better outcomes for both clients and staff.

How can I book a demo of ShiftCare?

Booking a personalised demo is the best way to see whether ShiftCare meets your organisation’s needs. During the demo, you’ll explore features such as care planning, staff scheduling, medication management, reporting, and mobile access while discussing how the platform can support your specific workflows. Book a ShiftCare demo today to discover how it can help your team deliver safer, more efficient, and person-centred care.

Switch to ShiftCare. We’ll make it worth your while.

Book a switching call. We’ll show you your rotas, care plans and invoices in ShiftCare and put together an offer that makes the move easy.

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