Care and support
To help you navigate your care journey we've pulled together an overview of the different types of care and financial support available. We also have our Care Costs Calculator, which can help you work out how much it might all cost.
Choose from a variety of care options
If you need care and support at home, a good first step is to ask your local authority for a free care assessment. They’ll look at your care needs and finances to see what level of support you need and how it could be paid for.
Even if you’re planning to pay for care yourself, it can still be very useful because it’ll help you decide what care is best for you.
Checking care providers
Checking care providers
All UK personal care providers must register with their national care regulator. They must follow a strict code of conduct and have regular inspections of their service. Each UK regulator has a website where you can check individual care providers and see their latest inspection reports.
England – Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Wales – Care Inspectorate Wales
Scotland – Care Inspectorate
Northern Ireland – Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA)
Care home and in-home care costs
Many people needing care find they’ll have to cover some or all of the costs themselves, which can be daunting. Thinking them through in advance will help you choose your next steps carefully. That can even stop you having to move to a new care provider later on if your care needs change.
In-home care costs
The United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) calculated a minimum price for homecare of £28.53 per hour. It covers the UK Living Wage for careworkers, and includes their travel time, mileage and wage-related costs. The rate also includes a minimum payment towards running a care business at a financially sustainable level.
Care home costs
Care home fees can be significant, though they will vary depending on where you live and what your needs are. In many homes you can expect to pay more than £1,000 per week, in fact the average weekly cost for a private payer in a residential care home is approximately £1,100 per week. This average increases to over £1,400 where nursing care is required.