Guides for families

Short, practical answers to the questions people ask when care at home becomes necessary.

• What CQC ratings mean, and how much to trust them

  The four ratings, the five questions behind them, why a date matters as much as the word, and what "not yet rated" tells you.

• How much does home care cost in England?

  Typical hourly rates for 2026, what pushes the price up, how live-in care compares with a care home, and how to read a rate card.

• How home care is paid for: self-funding, the council and the NHS

  The care needs assessment, the financial assessment and the £23,250 threshold, direct payments, Attendance Allowance, and NHS continuing healthcare.

• How to choose a home care agency: the questions that matter

  Ten questions to ask before you sign, the warning signs, and what a good first visit looks like.