Residential and Nursing Care

Residential (care homes) and nursing home (care homes that provide nursing care) care is provided to members of the community by the private for profit sector, the not-for-profit sector or the charitable sector and , in the case of residential care only, by the council. 

 

All of the care homes and care homes that provide nursing care must be registered to operate with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).  CSCI inspects all care homes at least twice each year to encourage them to meet a set of National Minimum Standards.  Inspection Reports are produced as a result; these are available to the public on request from CSCI or on the CSCI website. 

 

 

Although some people are able to pay for their own care in care homes and care homes providing nursing care many are financially supported by the local authority.  The local authority has a duty under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 to assess the needs of individuals who might be in need of community care services, including care homes and care homes providing nursing care. 

 

An assessment of this kind will help to identify what an individual’s needs are and whether they are best met by a care home and if so, what type of home.  If assistance from the local authority with the costs of the care home is being sought a needs assessment is essential.  The local authority will not provide assistance unless an assessment is conducted by them to establish the type of care an individual needs.