Guides · Updated November 2026
Care guides
Plain-English guides to arranging care in England: what it costs, how to pay, how to choose a provider and what the council must do. Written from official guidance and the CQC register.
- All guides
- Alzheimer's & Dementia · 50
- Care homes · 124
- Reablement · 16
- Personal Care · 15
- Overnight Care · 11
- Cost & Funding · 146
- Regulation & Quality · 62
- Retirement living · 22
- Carer Support · 48
- Elderly Care · 99
- Live-in Care · 15
- Respite for Carers · 16
- London · 99
- End-of-Life & Palliative · 28
Carer Support
What Happens If You Have No Power of Attorney in EnglandIn short: With no power of attorney in place, nobody automatically gains the right to manage a person’s money or make decisions once they…
Carer Support
Carers Allowance Contact Number: Official DWP Phone LineIn short: The official carers allowance contact number is 0800 731 0297, for the Carer’s Allowance Unit, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm…
Care homes
Care homes in Edinburgh: fees, waiting times and viewing guideIn Edinburgh, self-funders assessed as needing care receive £260.30 a week towards personal care and £117.10 towards nursing care from 1 April 2026. This…
Care homes
Care homes in London: fees, waiting times and viewing guideCare homes in London typically charge self-funders about £1,615 a week for residential care and £1,850 for nursing care, the highest in England. This…
Care homes
Care homes in Birmingham: fees, waiting times and viewing guideCare homes in Birmingham typically charge self-funders about £1,295 a week for residential care and £1,520 for nursing care. This guide covers local ratings,…
Care homes
Care homes in Bradford: fees, waiting times and viewing guideCare homes in Bradford typically charge self-funders about £1,230 a week for residential care and £1,515 for nursing care, while the council's published 2026/27…
Care homes
Care homes in Leicester: fees, waiting times and viewing guideCare homes in Leicester typically charge self-funders about £1,250 a week for residential care and £1,480 for nursing care. This guide covers local ratings,…
Care homes
How many care homes are there in the UK? (2026)There are around 17,400 registered care homes in the UK on the latest regulator counts: 14,902 in England, 1,003 in Scotland, 1,018 in Wales…
Care homes
Care home ownership: are all care homes private?No. Most UK care homes are privately owned, but charities run a share and councils or the NHS a small one. Private ownership does…
Care homes
Summer respite care: how to arrange a short break for your relativeTo arrange summer respite care, ask the council for a carer's assessment, shortlist CQC-registered homes and book early. Councils can treat stays of up…
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