Adur is a compact district of tight-knit riverside and seafront communities where people have often lived in the same street for decades. That matters for care decisions: moving someone out of Southwick doesn’t just change their address, it cuts them off from the neighbour who checks in and the view they’ve woken up to for forty years.
This guide covers what’s available across Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing, Sompting, Southwick and Fishersgate — who provides it, what it costs, and the free support alongside.
Who provides home care in Adur
- West Sussex County Council — the same authority as Worthing. Free care needs assessment for anyone who appears to need support, plus a reablement service after hospital discharge.
- Independent CQC-registered agencies across BN15, BN41, BN42 and BN43. Some are Adur-based; many operate from Worthing or Brighton and cover the district.
- Introductory agencies and directly employed carers — cheaper per hour, but you take on the employer’s responsibilities.
Check any provider on the CQC website. Registration is a legal requirement for anyone helping with washing, dressing or medication — see how to read a CQC report.
Find care near you
Tell us your postcode and what you need help with. We pass your details to one vetted CQC-registered agency in your area — you are told who they are, and that they pay us a fee, before anything is sent.
Practical local knowledge
The things that determine whether care works day to day in this district rarely appear on any provider’s website.
Getting to appointments
Most Adur residents are referred to Worthing Hospital or Southlands Hospital in Shoreham for outpatient care, with complex cases going to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Southlands is by far the easiest for anyone with limited mobility. For Brighton journeys, check eligibility for NHS non-emergency patient transport before assuming a taxi — and note that a carer accompanying someone can relay afterwards what was actually said, which families consistently rate as one of the most valuable hours they buy.
Access and parking
Shoreham Beach and the older parts of Southwick have narrow pavements, limited parking and a fair number of properties with steps to the front door. Several riverside and seafront homes have no level access at all. Ask any agency how they handle parking in those areas — unpaid parking hunts get taken out of visit time.
Prescriptions and deliveries
Several pharmacies across Shoreham, Lancing and Southwick offer free prescription delivery and blister-pack dispensing. Ask the GP surgery to arrange repeat dispensing, then ask the pharmacy for a weekly dosette box. It removes an errand and a source of confusion in one step, and it’s free.
Staying connected
Adur has an active network of community hubs, lunch clubs and memory cafés across Shoreham, Lancing and Southwick, alongside library activities. For anyone who has stopped driving these matter more than they look: withdrawal after giving up a car is one of the most common precursors to decline. See transport support for older adults.
What it costs
| Type of care | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly visiting care (weekday) | £28–£38 per hour |
| 30-minute visit | £18–£22 per visit |
| Sleeping night | ~£210 per night |
| Waking night | ~£260 per night |
| Live-in care | £1,400–£1,700 per week |
The Homecare Association’s minimum sustainable price for England in 2026/27 is £34.42 an hour. Full detail in the 2026 cost guide, and help paying in the funding guide.
Areas covered
- Shoreham-by-Sea — town centre, Shoreham Beach, Old Shoreham, Kingston Buci (BN43)
- Lancing and North Lancing — including Lancing Manor and the Coombes (BN15)
- Sompting — including Sompting Abbotts and Upper Sompting (BN15)
- Southwick and Fishersgate — including Southwick Green (BN42, BN41)
- Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding — at the northern edge of the district
Just west? See the Worthing guide.
Free and low-cost local support
- West Sussex County Council adult social care — free needs and carer’s assessments
- Adur & Worthing Councils — Disabled Facilities Grants and community alarms
- Carers Support West Sussex — assessments, groups and emergency planning
- Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove — advice, befriending and activities
- St Barnabas House — hospice care and family support, free
- Local memory cafés and community hubs — see our dementia support guide
Frequently asked questions
Who provides home care in Shoreham-by-Sea?
Several CQC-registered agencies operate across Shoreham and the wider Adur district, alongside providers commissioned by West Sussex County Council. Some are Adur-based; many cover the district from Worthing or Brighton. Check CQC registration and inspection reports before committing.
How much does home care cost in Adur?
Typically £28–£38 an hour in 2026 for managed agency care, with live-in care around £1,400–£1,700 a week. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays usually carry an uplift.
Can the council pay for home care in Adur?
Possibly. West Sussex County Council carries out a free needs assessment, then a financial assessment. Capital above £23,250 means self-funding; below £14,250 it’s disregarded entirely. For care delivered in your own home, the value of your property is not counted.
Which hospital covers Adur?
Outpatient care is usually at Worthing Hospital or Southlands Hospital in Shoreham, with complex cases going to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Southlands is generally the most accessible for anyone with limited mobility.
How quickly can care start?
Usually within 24–48 hours of an assessment for straightforward packages, and same-day for genuine emergencies such as a hospital discharge or a family carer falling ill.
The Care Panel is an independent publication. We are not a care provider and are not regulated by the Care Quality Commission, because we do not deliver care. Always check a provider’s own CQC registration and inspection report before you commit.
Written and fact-checked by The Care Panel. Last updated September 2026. General information, not financial or medical advice.