Arranging care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is the unitary authority for a stretch of the South West coast that takes in the seaside town of Bournemouth, the historic harbour town of Christchurch, and Poole with its famous quay and harbour. Since the three former councils merged, adult social care across the conurbation has been delivered by a single team, which can make it simpler for families to know who to call when care needs first appear.

How adult social care works locally

As a unitary authority, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is responsible for adult social care across all three towns. The first step for most families is to contact the council's adult social care team and request a needs assessment. This assessment is free, regardless of income or savings, and looks at how someone is managing day to day, whether that is in a flat in Boscombe, a bungalow in Highcliffe or a family home in Canford Cliffs.

If the assessment identifies eligible needs, a financial assessment (means test) then looks at income, savings and assets to work out how much, if anything, the council will contribute. National capital thresholds apply, and people with assets above the upper limit are generally expected to fund their own care, though the council still has a duty to advise and can arrange care on their behalf.

Choice of care across the area

Families in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole benefit from an unusually large local market, with 259 CQC-registered care homes across the three towns. That includes residential care homes for people who need help with daily living, nursing homes for those with more complex medical needs, and a wide network of home care agencies supporting people to stay independent in their own homes.

Paying for care and typical fees

Funding routes locally include council-funded care after a means test, NHS Continuing Healthcare for those with a primary health need, NHS-funded nursing care contributions in nursing homes, direct payments, and self funding. As a rough guide for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, home care tends to average around £22 to £25 per hour, residential care homes around £1,000 to £1,200 per week, and nursing homes around £1,200 to £1,500 per week, with coastal and premium locations often sitting at the higher end.