There are several types of residential care available, depending on your needs:

• Housing with a warden or other support services;
• Accommodation known as "extra care", in which more intensive support can be delivered, but where you still maintain a tenancy or are an owner-occupier;
• A residential home provided by a private home owner or our own service; and
• A private residential home with nursing care, for people who require continual access to a nurse.

Before you consider residential care it is important that you look at all the ways in which you could be supported to continue to live in your own home. The home care service can help you to remain living independently and safely in your own home. There are many different types of support available, depending on your individual needs. For example, your home can be adapted to make life easier.

Another option that might be preferable to residential care is extra care housing. This offers a new way of supporting you to live independently for as long as you possibly can. It gives you the security and privacy of a home of your own, a range of facilities on the premises, with access to 24-hour care/support services available if you need them.

Some other services you might find useful are community and day centres and meals on wheels.

We will try to help you remain as independent as possible. However, if you cannot remain safely in your own home, even with a lot of help, or if you need to move into your own home for the first time (if you have a learning disability for example), then our staff will discuss the type of accommodation and support that will best suit your needs.

We strongly advise you to consider all the available options before making a decision.

Applying for residential care services

The first stage in applying for residential care is to contact the customer services centre. They will be able to advise you whether we are likely to be able to help you. Otherwise, they will tell you how to get more information about services in your area, if you wish to contact them direct. You may be asked for some personal details to help with your enquiry. Any information you provide is treated in confidence and will only be shared with staff outside the organisation with your permission.

If we can help you, then your needs will have to be assessed so we can provide the right type of care and support.

Residential care regulation

Residential care is regulated by the Care Quality Commission through inspections, assessments and reviews of all care services. You can access the latest inspection reports of care homes in your area via the Care Quality Commission website, a link is provided below. Bear in mind that the quality of service provided by individual homes may have improved or declined since the last inspection.

	Charges for social care services You will have to pay for some social care services you receive but others may be free or at a reduced cost, depending on your financial circumstances. The amount you pay for social care services is determined through a financial assessment.

	Approved lists of care homes and domiciliary care providers We maintain lists of approved providers who have demonstrated a willingness and ability to meet the Council's terms and conditions and deliver services in line with the relevant service specifications.  You can download the following approved lists:  Care homes and care homes with nursing [2mb] [pdf]  Domiciliary care providers [1mb] [pdf] The Council does not recommend any particular home or provider. These are purely lists of homes or providers that have been accepted on to the Council's approved lists. Other homes or providers are also available. Further information can be found from the Care Quality Commission.

	Related information from NHS Choices Care away from home Information on care away from homefrom the Carers Direct section of NHS Choices, including care homes; trial periods in care homes; extra care; sheltered accommodation and residential special schools.

Social care Apply for social care support and advice