Question 1

Which providers in Barnet offer residential care?

Accepted Answer

Care Assura lists 54 residential care homes across Barnet, ranging from small services to larger established homes. Options include Glasson House, Baxendale Care Home, Trinity House, Rosetrees, Sunridge Court, Meadowside Care Home and Shaftesbury Brookside House, which is currently the only home in the borough rated Outstanding by the CQC. You can filter the full list on Care Assura by area and rating to draw up a shortlist that suits your relative's needs.

Question 2

What should I ask when visiting a residential care home in Barnet?

Accepted Answer

Ask how staff are recruited and trained, what the staff to resident ratio is at night, and how the home manages changing health needs over time. Request a copy of the fee schedule and terms of residency, and check what happens if funds run low or needs increase. It is also worth asking about visiting arrangements, food choices, activities and how families are kept informed. Try to visit at different times of day so you see mealtimes and evenings as well as mornings.

Question 3

What is the difference between a residential care home and a nursing home?

Accepted Answer

A residential care home provides accommodation, meals and personal care such as help with washing, dressing and medication prompts. A nursing home offers all of that plus 24 hour input from registered nurses for people with more complex clinical needs, such as advanced conditions requiring wound care, tube feeding or complex medication regimes. All of the homes listed for Barnet on Care Assura are residential rather than nursing. If clinical needs are significant, a needs assessment will identify whether nursing care is required.

Question 4

Can London Borough of Barnet fund a residential care home placement?

Accepted Answer

London Borough of Barnet can contribute to the cost of a placement following a care needs assessment and a financial assessment. If someone has capital above the national upper threshold they will usually be expected to pay their own fees, while those with lower savings may receive council funding towards the cost. Most of the person's income, including pensions, is treated as a contribution, with a small personal expenses allowance retained. NHS Continuing Healthcare may cover the full cost where needs are primarily health related.

Question 5

How do I arrange a care needs assessment in Barnet?

Accepted Answer

You can request an assessment directly from London Borough of Barnet through the adult social care section of the council's website or by telephone. A social care worker will speak with the person needing care, and with family if appropriate, to understand daily needs, health conditions and safety at home. The outcome is a written care and support plan that sets out what help is recommended. The assessment itself is free and does not commit you to using council arranged services.

Question 6

How far in advance should I start looking for a care home in Barnet?

Accepted Answer

Where possible, start exploring options several months before a move is likely, as popular homes in Barnet often have waiting lists for particular room types. Beginning early gives time to visit two or three shortlisted homes, read CQC reports carefully and discuss finances without pressure. In urgent situations, such as a hospital discharge, London Borough of Barnet can help arrange something more quickly, sometimes on an interim basis. Even then, it is worth reviewing the placement once the immediate crisis has passed.

Care Homes in Barnet

55 care homes in Barnet (showing 51–55)