Bristol City Council

Adult social care contact details, funding information, and care home listings for Bristol.

Arranging care in Bristol

Bristol City Council is the unitary authority for the city of Bristol in the South West of England, covering neighbourhoods and suburbs including Clifton, Bedminster, Filton and Knowle. As a unitary authority, Bristol City Council is responsible for all local services in one place, including adult social care, which means families do not have to navigate a separate county or district council when arranging support for an older or disabled relative.

The first step for most families is to contact Bristol City Council's adult social care team and request a needs assessment. This assessment is free, regardless of income or savings, and looks at the daily challenges a person is facing, whether that is help at home, support after a hospital discharge, or a move into residential care. If the assessment shows eligible needs, the council then carries out a financial assessment to work out how much, if anything, the person will contribute towards their care. National capital thresholds apply, so people with savings and assets above the upper limit are usually treated as self funders, while those below may receive council support.

The local care market and fees

Bristol has a broad care market spread across the city, from Clifton through to Bedminster, Filton and Knowle, giving families a genuine choice when comparing home care agencies, nursing homes and residential care homes. Weekly fees vary depending on the level of nursing input, location within the city and the individual provider, so it is worth requesting a written breakdown before signing any contract.

Funding options in Bristol include local authority funded care following a financial assessment, NHS Continuing Healthcare for those with a primary health need, NHS funded nursing care contributions towards nursing homes, direct payments so families can arrange their own support, and self funding. Deferred payment agreements with Bristol City Council can also help homeowners avoid selling a property during their lifetime to pay for residential care.