Who this page is for

This page is for self-funding adults, who need to find out how to understand their care needs and arrange their own care.

Choosing your care

Choosing the right type of care for you depends on how much support you need and what works best for you.

It can be helpful to think about these things when deciding:

• what help is needed with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, meals, medication, or moving around safely
• whether you feel safe, independent, and able to manage at home
• any health conditions, mobility difficulties, memory problems, or changing care needs
• emotional wellbeing, including loneliness, social contact, and maintaining routines and independence
• what support family members or carers can realistically provide,
• how long your savings are expected to last and how you might feel about moving to a less expensive home if they do,
• whether support at home is suitable, or if residential or nursing care may be a better option in the future.

If you are unsure about what might be best, a needs assessment can help. Even if you are funding your own care, you are still entitled to a free needs assessment by the council under the Care Act (2014). Please note that there is a waiting list for this service.

Types of care available

There are various types of care available for you to choose:

How to arrange your care

As a self-funder, you have two main options for how your care is arranged:

Arrange your care yourself

You can contact care providers directly, compare costs and services, and arrange support without involving the council. This suits people who know what they need, feel confident managing the process, or want to move quickly.

You can arrange:

• a home care agency
• a live-in carer
• a personal assistant
• a residential or nursing home.

Find local care services

Ask us to arrange your home care

If you would prefer support with the process, we may be able to arrange home care on your behalf. This can help if you are finding the process overwhelming, arranging care for the first time, or would like help coordinating services.

Please note: We are only able to assist with finding home care solutions. You will need to arrange residential care yourself.

Costs

If you want us to arrange your home care, there is a cost for this service. This covers the cost of arranging providers, managing contracts, monitoring care, and processing invoices. You’ll pay an arrangement fee each year on the anniversary that your care started (or until you stop receiving care).

The current fee for care starting or continuing between 6 April 2026 and 4 April 2027 is:

• Annual arrangement fee: £875.50.

The arrangement fee is reviewed each year in April and is subject to change.

Contact us to begin the process

If you would like us to arrange your care:

1. Contact adult social care.
2. Request a needs assessment if you have not already had one.
3. We will explain what we can arrange and the costs involved.

You can get in touch be either of the following methods and leave your contact details:

Financing your long-term care

Now you have a better idea of what care you will need, it’s a good time to look at the money side, if you haven’t already:

Find out about financing your long-term care