Devon County Council

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

Arranging adult social care in Devon

Devon County Council is the upper tier authority for much of the South West peninsula, covering communities from Exeter and Exmouth in the east through Tiverton, Honiton, Newton Abbot and Totnes, and out to Barnstaple in the north. While the unitary councils of Plymouth and Torbay run their own social care services, Devon County Council is the point of contact for older residents and families across the wider county who need help arranging support.

If you or a relative in Devon are struggling to manage at home, the first step is to contact Care Direct, the council's adult social care front door. Devon will arrange a free needs assessment to understand daily challenges, from mobility and medication to meals and personal care. If ongoing support is recommended, a financial assessment then looks at income and capital to work out how much the council will contribute. National thresholds apply, so people with savings above the upper capital limit usually fund their own care, while those below may receive help from Devon County Council.

Choosing a home and understanding fees

The county has a broad care market, with 457 CQC registered care homes across Devon, ranging from small family run houses in market towns like Tiverton and Honiton to larger providers in and around Exeter, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple. This choice means families can usually find residential care homes or nursing homes reasonably close to home, alongside a wide network of home care agencies supporting people who wish to stay in their own property.

Funding options include local authority funded placements following a means test, NHS Continuing Healthcare for those with significant health needs, Funded Nursing Care contributions towards nursing homes, and self funding. Fees in Devon vary by location and level of need, but as a general guide home care typically costs around £22 to £30 per hour, residential care homes around £900 to £1,300 per week, and nursing homes around £1,100 to £1,600 per week.

Devon County Council also offers reablement, equipment and carer support, so it is worth asking about every option during your assessment before committing to a long term arrangement.