Cumberland Council

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

Arranging care in Cumberland

Cumberland Council is a unitary authority in the North West of England, covering Carlisle in the north, the west coast towns of Workington, Whitehaven and Maryport, and market towns such as Wigton and Penrith. Because Cumberland is a unitary authority, a single council handles adult social care across this large and varied area, from urban Carlisle through to remote rural and coastal communities.

If you or a relative needs support, the first step is to contact Cumberland Council's adult social care team and ask for a needs assessment. This assessment is free, regardless of income or savings, and looks at daily tasks such as washing, dressing, mobility and staying safe at home. If the assessment identifies eligible needs, a financial assessment then follows to work out how much, if anything, you contribute towards the cost of care. National capital thresholds apply, so people with savings above the upper limit are usually expected to fund their own care, while those below may receive help from Cumberland Council.

Choice of care across the area

There are around 140 CQC registered care homes across Cumberland, which gives families a reasonable choice when looking for residential care homes or nursing homes close to family in Carlisle, along the west Cumbrian coast, or in the Penrith and Wigton areas. Home care is also widely used, particularly in rural parts where staying in a familiar community matters.

Funding and typical costs

Depending on the financial assessment, care may be funded by the individual (self funders), part funded by Cumberland Council, or in some cases covered by NHS Continuing Healthcare where health needs are the primary reason for care. As a rough guide for the Cumberland area, home care typically costs around £22 to £28 per hour, residential care homes commonly range from £900 to £1,200 per week, and nursing homes usually sit between £1,100 and £1,400 per week, with dementia and specialist nursing at the higher end.

Taking the assessment as your starting point means decisions about home care, residential care or a nursing placement are based on real needs and a clear picture of costs.