Finding a care home in England

There is no single directory that tells you which home is right. It depends on the person's needs, funding situation, and what matters most to the family. This page shows you where to search, what to look for, and what to ask.

Important: This site explains how the care system works in general and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not provide medical, legal, financial or care advice. Every family's situation is different. Use this as a starting point to understand the process and know the right questions to ask — not as a definitive account of what will happen in your case. Always verify information with the relevant professionals before making decisions. Full information disclaimer →

Start your search

Where to search

These are the main places to search for care homes in England. Each one serves a different purpose — start with the CQC search tool and work from there.

CQC search tool
The official regulator. Search by postcode, see inspection ratings, and read full reports. This is the most reliable source of information about any care home in England.
Search on CQC →
BCP Council Adult Social Care
The council's contracted homes list. Relevant if the council is funding the placement — these are the homes your local authority has agreements with.
View contracted homes list →
Dorset Council
For placements funded by Dorset Council rather than BCP. If the person's care is funded by Dorset, their contracted homes may differ.
View on Dorset Council →
Age UK care home guidance
Written for families rather than professionals. Clear explanations of the different types of care homes and what to consider when choosing one.
Read on Age UK →

Before you visit

What to look for before you visit

Before arranging any visits, check these five things. They will save you time and help you focus on homes that are genuinely suitable.

1
Check the CQC rating — but read the full inspection report
Don't just look at the badge. The full report shows what inspectors actually found. Pay particular attention to the Safe and Well-led sections — these are the most telling indicators of how a home is actually run day to day.
2
Check when the last inspection was
A Good rating from 2019 is not the same as one from 2024. A lot can change in a care home over several years — management, ownership, staffing levels, and the culture of care. The more recent the inspection, the more reliable the rating.
3
Match the care type to the person's actual needs
Residential homes provide personal care but not nursing. If the person has clinical nursing needs — wound care, catheter management, medication via injection — they need a home registered for nursing care. Getting this wrong causes problems later.
4
If dementia is involved, check for specialist provision
Not all homes that accept dementia residents have specialist dementia provision. A dedicated dementia unit with trained staff, a secure environment, and structured activities is very different from a mixed home that simply accepts residents with a dementia diagnosis.
5
Check whether the home accepts council-funded residents
If funding is coming from the local authority, not all homes accept placements at the council rate. Some homes are exclusively private. Check this before investing time in a visit — it will narrow your shortlist quickly.
Questions to ask on every visit

These questions apply regardless of which home you are visiting. Write them down. If a home hesitates on any of them, take note.

Staffing

What is the ratio of carers to residents on a typical day shift? What about nights? What is the staff turnover rate?

Care plan

When is the care plan created? Can family be involved? How often is it reviewed, and who leads the review?

Medical

Which GP covers the home? How are acute health changes managed? Is there a registered nurse on-site 24 hours?

Dementia (if relevant)

How are residents who become distressed or agitated supported? What training have staff completed in dementia care?

Fees

What does the weekly fee include? What is charged additionally? Has the fee increased in the past two years, and by how much?

Complaints

How many formal complaints have been made in the past year and how were they resolved? Can I see the complaints log?

About this page: All links are to official or recognised sources. No care home, agency, or organisation has paid to appear on this page. CQC ratings change — always verify the current rating directly on the CQC website before making a decision. This page is reviewed every six months.

Search all CQC-registered homes in any postcode: cqc.org.uk/care-services/find-a-care-service

All links verified and checked. Always confirm current details directly with each source.

Page last reviewed: March 2026

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