Adult Social Care

Changes to paying for care and support at home

From December 2025, we are changing how we charge for non-residential care. This is to make the charging policy fairer and more in line with the real cost of providing care.

We will introduce these changes in a two-stage approach for people whose charges will increase:

  1. There will be an initial increase from 29th December 2025.
  2. The full implementation of the new charges will start from April 2026

No one will be asked to pay more than they can reasonably afford.

Brief overview of the changes

  1. Set-up fee

    Currently, we arrange care when asked but we do not charge a set-up fee. Changes will mean a set-up fee will be charged to anyone with savings or capital above £23,250, who has to pay the full cost of meeting their own care or support.

  2. Removing the hourly rate cap

    We currently cap the rates people pay. We are removing this cap so that people will pay the same hourly rate that the council pays care providers.

  3. Charges to reflect the number of carers

    Charges will reflect the actual number of carers needed to deliver care and support. Currently the contribution is based on one carer, regardless of the actual number of carers required at any one time to provide care and support.

  4. Recovering reasonable costs for services

    In specific circumstances, we have a duty to protect moveable property, including personal belongings and pets, for people who are unable to make their own arrangements or do not have people to make arrangements on their behalf. We will recover reasonable costs for these services. The first 7 days will be free. After that, full costs will be charged. Individuals can appeal if they cannot afford the charges.

Policy and guidance

To reflect these changes, we have updated and published our 'Charging for non-residential care services policy'. This policy will take effect from December 2025.