Care home guides: costs, ratings and who pays
Plain guides to choosing a care home in England: what councils and self-funders pay each week, how to read a CQC rating and report, and who pays for a place, with tools to try your own numbers.
CQC Ratings for Care Homes: What Outstanding to Inadequate Means and How to Read a Report
What the four CQC ratings mean, how the percentage scores map to them, how the 14,783 care homes we list are spread across the grades, the five questions behind each rating and how to read an inspection report. Definitions checked against the CQC on 12 November 2026.
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What Care Homes Cost in England: Weekly Council Rates for 2025 to 2026
Councils in England paid an average of £1,045 a week for residential care and £1,159 for nursing care for people aged 65 and over in 2025 to 2026. Pick your council to see its rate, how it compares, the self-funder figure for your region and a quote checker. Official figures, checked 12 November 2026.
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Who Pays for a Care Home in England in 2026 to 2027: Savings Limits, Your House and NHS Funding
The £23,250 and £14,250 savings limits, what happens to your house, NHS continuing healthcare, the £267.68 nursing payment, Attendance Allowance and top-ups, with a savings test you can try with your own numbers. Rules and figures checked on GOV.UK and NHS pages on 12 November 2026.
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