Basic Personal Care
£20–30/hr
Hourly rates in Swindon and the surrounding area for standard personal care services.
Understanding Home Care Funding: Your Complete Guide
Navigating care funding can feel bewildering. There are multiple funding routes, eligibility criteria vary, the system is complex, and costs seem unclear.
At Earnest Support Care Ltd, we help people understand their funding options, navigate assessments, and access the funding they need to pay for the care that enables them to live at home.
This comprehensive guide explains the main funding routes available in the United Kingdom, how much home care costs, and how to determine your eligibility.
Understanding pricing
How Much Does Home Care Cost?
One of the first questions people ask is 'how much does home care cost?' The answer is that costs vary significantly depending on several factors. Home care is typically charged on an hourly basis, though some providers charge per visit or on other bases.
Specialist Care
£30–40+/hr
For dementia, mental health, physical disabilities, or care requiring nursing expertise.
Factors affecting home care costs include:
Level of care required
Basic personal care is typically less expensive than specialist care requiring specific training or nursing expertise.
Frequency of care
The number of visits per week and the duration of each visit affects total costs.
Timing of care
Early morning, evening, or night care often incurs higher rates than daytime care.
Complexity of needs
People with complex health needs, behavioural support needs, or multiple conditions typically require higher hourly rates.
Care worker skills and qualifications
Care workers with specialist qualifications such as nursing, mental health, autism, or dementia typically command higher rates.
Geographic location
Care in rural areas may be more expensive due to travel distances.
Provider experience and reputation
Established providers with good reputations may charge slightly higher rates than newer providers.
Comparing Home Care Costs with Residential Care
Many people compare the cost of home care with the cost of residential care (care home placement). Residential care in the Swindon area typically costs GBP 500-1,200+ per week, depending on the type of care home and level of care provided. This works out to approximately GBP 26,000-62,000+ per year.
In contrast, home care costs are typically lower, particularly if care is part-time (e.g. a few hours per week). However, for people needing full-time live-in care or 24-hour care, home care can be more expensive than residential care. Most people prefer remaining at home if possible, and home care is often a more cost-effective and preferable option.
Home Care
£20–40+/hr
Part-time or full-time. Flexible, personalised, and often more cost-effective.
Residential Care
£500–1,200+/hr
Approximately GBP 26,000–62,000+ per year depending on care home and level of care.
Overview
How Domiciliary Care is Funded
Home care can be funded through several routes, and most people use a combination of sources:
Local authority (council) funding: Following a care assessment under the Care Act 2014, the council may fund part or all of your care.
Personal budgets and direct payments: The local authority provides you with a budget; you decide how to spend it, including purchasing care from Earnest Support Care Ltd.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC): If healthcare is your primary need, the NHS may fund your care in full.
Self-funding (private pay): You fund care yourself from savings, income, or investments.
Benefits such as Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment: These benefits can contribute to care costs.
A combination of the above: Many people use multiple funding sources.
Local Authority (Council) Funding for Care
Your local council is a key source of care funding. Understanding how the assessment process works and the eligibility criteria used can help you navigate this route effectively.
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Your Right to an Assessment
Local authorities have a legal duty under the Care Act 2014 to assess anyone who may have care needs. This applies regardless of whether you can afford to pay for care yourself. You have the right to request an assessment from your local authority, Swindon Borough Council in this area.
Learn More→
The Care Needs Assessment
If you contact your local authority requesting care support, they will arrange a care needs assessment. This assessment examines your personal circumstances, your care needs, your health, your living situation, and your wellbeing. Following the assessment, the local authority will determine whether you are eligible for care funding under the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) eligibility criteria.
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Care Act 2014: Legal Duty to Assess
The Care Act 2014 is the main law governing adult care and support in England. It established a legal duty for local authorities to assess anyone who requests assessment, regardless of apparent eligibility. It also established the principle of wellbeing as the cornerstone of care and support, meaning councils must pursue an individual's wellbeing in everything they do.
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Setting a Personal Budget
If you are eligible for council funding, the council will set a 'personal budget' based on your identified care needs. This is the amount of money the council will spend on your care. You can then use this budget to purchase care from a provider of your choice, including Earnest Support Care Ltd. Many councils now provide 'direct payments', where the money is paid directly to you, giving you more control over how it is spent.
FACS Eligibility Criteria
The FACS eligibility criteria are based on risk: the more serious the risk to your independence or wellbeing if you do not receive care, the more likely you are to be eligible for council funding. There are four bandings:
Critical
Immediate risk to health, safety, or independence. E.g. at immediate risk of homelessness, at serious immediate risk of harm.
Substantial
Significant risk to health, safety, or independence. E.g. unable to manage personal care, at significant risk of falls, at significant risk of social isolation.
Moderate
Individual undertakes tasks independently whilst carer supervises, ready to intervene if needed. Verbal prompting may be necessary.
Low
Low risk to health, safety, or independence.
The Financial Assessment (Means Test)
Before council funding is provided, you will usually undergo a financial assessment called a means test. This examines your income and capital savings, property, and investments.
£23,250
Capital above this: you may be assessed to fund care yourself
£14,250
Between £14,250–£23,250: you may be part-funded
These figures change each year. The intention is that people with sufficient means contribute to the cost of care, whilst those with limited means receive more or full funding from the council.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
NHS Continuing Healthcare is a form of funding provided by the NHS where healthcare is the primary need rather than social care. If you meet the criteria for CHC, the NHS will fund your care in full, and you will not have to undergo a means test. CHC can cover a wide range of costs including care at home, residential care, or day services.
Assessing for CHC: The Decision Support Tool
Healthcare professionals use the CHC Decision Support Tool to assess eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare. This tool examines care needs across eleven domains. If you score highly indicating high healthcare needs across several domains, you are more likely to meet the criteria for CHC funding.
Learn MoreThe Eleven Assessment Domains
1Breathing2Dressing and personal hygiene3Behaviour4Continence5Skin integrity6Communication7Psychological and emotional needs8Cognition9Mobility10Other healthcare needs11Eating and drinking
Attendance Allowance and Eligibility
Attendance Allowance is a UK government benefit for people aged 65 and over with care needs. It is a tax-free benefit that can contribute towards care costs. Unlike some benefits, Attendance Allowance is not means-tested; your savings or income do not affect eligibility.
Learn MoreAttendance Allowance Rates (2026-2027)
There are two rates of Attendance Allowance:
Higher Rate
£114.60/week
Approximately GBP 5,959 per year
For people who need help or supervision throughout both day and night, or who are nearing the end of life.
Lower Rate
£76.70/week
Approximately GBP 3,988 per year
For people who need frequent help or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night.
Attendance Allowance: Eligibility
To be eligible for Attendance Allowance, you usually must:
- Have reached State Pension age.
- Need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental disability, illness, or health condition.
- Have needed that help for at least 6 months, unless you are nearing the end of life.
- Be in Great Britain when you claim and meet the relevant residence rules.
Self-Funding: Private Pay
If you do not qualify for council funding or NHS CHC, or if you have capital above the means test threshold, you will need to fund care privately. This means paying directly to the care provider from your own resources, such as savings, income, or investments.
Private funding allows you to have choice and control over your care. You can choose the provider, the care workers, the timing of visits, and the level of care. However, you are responsible for all costs.
Deferred Payment Agreements
Some people have significant assets, particularly if they own a home, but limited income. Deferred Payment Agreements may allow you to defer paying for care until later. This allows you to access care now without having to sell your home immediately. Discuss this with your local authority if you think this might apply to you.
Combined Funding Sources
Many people use a combination of funding sources. For example, you might have council funding for part of your care, Attendance Allowance to supplement this, and pay privately for additional care. We can work with you to combine funding sources in the most tax-efficient and beneficial way possible.
Our Fees and Pricing
At Earnest Support Care Ltd, we are transparent about pricing. Our fees are set on an hourly basis, with different rates depending on the type and complexity of care provided. We will discuss fees openly with you during the assessment process and provide a detailed quote before care commences. We accept council funding, direct payments, NHS CHC funding, and private payment. We work with you to maximise the benefits you receive and to make care affordable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Funding
How to Get in Touch
If you would like to discuss care within your location, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact us:
Our team is available to answer your questions and arrange a convenient time to discuss your care needs in detail.