Cost of Care

Understanding your home care funding options can seem daunting, that’s why we try to keep it as simple as possible.

An Introduction to Home Care Costs

We understand how stressful it can be organising care for yourself or a loved one. That’s why we’ll aim to keep things as simple and straight-forward as possible when it comes to costs.

We are:

  • Upfront and transparent about our home care costs. There are no hidden fees or lengthy notice periods. 
  • Not an agency, so you don’t have to worry about agency fees or retainers.
  • Able to accept direct payments. If you’re receiving funding through social services and have opted for direct payments, we’re able to accept top-ups to these payments.

Depending on your needs, home care costs will vary. Visiting care is charged at an hourly rate while live-in care is quoted on either a daily rate (for short-term respite) or weekly rate for ongoing care. We can discuss the level of care that is right for you and whether the cost of home care is financially sustainable for you or your loved one.

Although the majority of families are paying for their care privately, it may be possible for you to access funding from your Local Authority (Social Services) or Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). In these cases, we work closely with the funding body to ensure you get the right support to give you a better quality of life at home.

An introduction to Hourly Visiting Care costs

For care from as little as 30 minutes per day all the way up to four  calls throughout the day, visiting care enables you to receive support that suits you. And with care that’s flexible that can adapt to your changing needs, you can rest assured that you will always have a carer there when you need them.

From the start, we’ll give you a clear picture of how much care will cost which will be confirmed once a plan of care has been agreed.

Our visiting care fees vary across the country but start from £26.00 per hour

Speak to one of  team today and get a quote that’s tailored to you. Alternatively, you could search for your local branch and arrange an assessment directly.  

An introduction to Live-in Care costs

For more intensive support, live-in care could be the ideal solution if you require someone to assist you round-the-clock with your care needs. Living with you in your home, your very own live-in carer will provide one-to-one support tailored to your exact requirements, for example if you have a type of dementia – giving you peace of mind that you always have help available should you need it.

Live-in care can either be ongoing or in the form of respite care, which is for short-term solutions usually lasting less than four weeks.

To find out more about live-in care costs click here

Understanding How Local Authorities (Social Services) Manage Care for Self-Funding Clients

When arranging care for yourself or a loved one, it’s natural to contact your local authority for advice. However, what many families don’t realise is that if you’re classed as a self-funder (someone paying for their own care), the local authority may still try to manage the care arrangements on your behalfacting as a broker.

At first glance, this might seem helpful. But here’s what you need to know:

What Really Happens Behind the Scenes

  • You are charged full private care rates, often comparable to or more than what you’d pay independently.

  • The local authority then takes a management fee for overseeing your care.

  • They contract your care out to agencies within their pre-approved provider “framework”usually at much lower hourly rates than what you’re paying.

This system limits your choices and may result in care that:

  • Is delivered by over-stretched providers

  • Offers less flexibility

  • Leaves little room for investment in quality, training, or consistency

Worse still, you may not even be told that you have other options.

Why Choosing an Independent Provider Matters

At Blue Ribbon Community Care, we believe self-funding families deserve control, clarity, and qualitynot commission-based brokerage.

By working directly with us, you benefit from:

Full Choice and Flexibility

You’re not limited to framework-contracted providers. We offer bespoke care plans that reflect your values, preferences, and daily routines.

Transparent, Fair Pricing

We keep our pricing simple and open — no hidden management fees or complicated invoicing. What you see is what you pay.

High-Quality, Consistent Care

Because we’re not working to squeezed framework rates, we can:

  • Invest in staff training

  • Maintain excellent carer-to-client ratios

  • Focus on continuity and personalised relationships

You’re in control — not the council.
Let us help you design the care you want, not just what the system offers.

Local Authority Funding for Home Care

Most people begin their care journey by requesting a needs assessment from their local authority (council). This assessment helps determine:

  • Whether care is needed

  • What type of care is suitable

  • Whether the local authority will contribute to the cost

Financial Assessment (Means Test)

After the needs assessment, the local authority will carry out a financial assessment, known as a means test. This looks at:

  • Income

  • Savings

  • Assets (but not the value of your home if you’re receiving care at home)

If your capital is:

  • Over £23,250 (England): you’ll be classed as a self-funder

  • Between £14,250 and £23,250: the council will contribute, but you must also pay part

  • Under £14,250: the council may pay the full amount (though income is still considered)

Direct Payments

If you’re eligible for funding, you can choose to receive a Direct Payment. This allows you to:

  • Arrange your own care with a provider of your choice (like Blue Ribbon Community Care)

  • Avoid being limited to council-contracted providers

  • Maintain flexibility and continuity in who provides your care

We’re happy to help you understand and manage your direct payments — just ask.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a fully funded care package provided by the NHS. It covers the full cost of care if your needs are primarily health-related, regardless of your financial situation.

Who Is Eligible?

You may qualify if you have:

  • Complex medical needs

  • Ongoing physical or mental health issues

  • Needs that go beyond what social care can provide

Eligibility is determined through a Checklist Assessment, followed by a Decision Support Tool completed by a multidisciplinary team.

What Does CHC Cover?

If approved, NHS Continuing Healthcare can fund:

  • Home care

  • Equipment and specialist support

  • Nursing care, if required

Unlike social care funding, CHC is not means-testedyour savings or income are not considered.

How to Apply

You can:

  • Ask your GP or community nurse to refer you for an assessment

  • Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) directly

  • Or speak to us — we can guide you through the process

If you’re considering care, whether privately or through direct payments, it’s worth exploring independent providers to ensure you get the best quality care for your investment.

Contact us today to learn more about your options or arrange an assessment.

Hourly care typically starts from £25.00, depending on your location, the complexity of care, and the time of day. We’ll provide a clear quote after a free care assessment.

Live-in care generally starts from £1,300 per week, with variations based on care needs, whether waking night support is needed, and the level of medical or mobility support required.

No. We believe in full transparency. You’ll receive a clear breakdown of costs — with no hidden admin fees or third-party management charges. What you see is what you pay.

Yes. If your assets are below the local authority thresholds, you may be eligible for funding. Even if you’re a self-funder, you can request a needs assessment and choose to receive a direct payment to arrange care independently.

It can be. Many families find that home care is comparable or even more affordable, especially when factoring in the value of staying in your own home with one-to-one care tailored to your needs.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a fully funded care package for people with complex health needs. It’s not means-tested. If your care needs are primarily medical, you may qualify — we can help guide you through the process.

Yes. We provide flexible care solutions, including respite care, post-hospital discharge care, and temporary live-in care, all charged at daily or weekly rates based on the support needed.

Simply contact us to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment. We’ll take time to understand your needs and provide a detailed care plan with a transparent cost structure.