London Borough of Hackney

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

Arranging care in the London Borough of Hackney

The London Borough of Hackney sits in inner east London, covering Hackney itself along with Stoke Newington, Dalston, Shoreditch and Clapton. It is a densely populated and diverse part of the capital, and the mix of Victorian streets, estates and newer developments means care needs vary widely from household to household. Families starting to think about support for an older relative or a disabled adult usually begin here, with the council, rather than trying to navigate the private market on their own.

Needs assessments and financial assessments

The first step is to contact Hackney Council's adult social care team, who arrange a free needs assessment under the Care Act. A social worker or assessor will look at daily living, mobility, safety at home and the support already provided by family or friends. If the assessment shows eligible needs, a financial assessment follows to work out what, if anything, the person contributes. As with all English councils, capital thresholds apply, and people with savings above the upper limit generally fund their own care, while those below may receive help from the London Borough of Hackney towards the cost.

Local care choices

There are around 53 CQC registered care homes in the Hackney area, giving families a reasonable choice of residential care homes and nursing homes without having to look far outside the borough. Many people prefer to stay in familiar surroundings near Clapton, Stoke Newington or Dalston, and home care from a registered domiciliary agency is often the first option explored before a move into a care home is considered.

Care funding and typical fees

Funding can come from the council following assessment, from NHS Continuing Healthcare where needs are primarily medical, from attendance allowance or other benefits, or from private means including deferred payment agreements secured against a property. Fees in inner London tend to sit above the national average. As a rough guide, home care in Hackney is commonly around £25 to £30 per hour, residential care homes fall in the region of £900 to £1,300 per week, and nursing homes typically £1,100 to £1,600 per week depending on the provider and level of need.

If you are just starting out, a call to the London Borough of Hackney adult social care team is the simplest first step, and this directory can help you compare local providers alongside it.