Arranging care in Somerset
Somerset Council serves a large rural county in the South West of England, covering towns and communities including Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Frome, Street, Glastonbury, Minehead, Chard and Ilminster. Following the reorganisation that brought the former district councils together, Somerset now operates as a single unitary authority, meaning adult social care, housing and community services are all coordinated under one roof.
How adult social care works locally
If you or a relative in Somerset is starting to struggle at home, the first step is to contact Adults Social Care at Somerset Council through Somerset Direct. The council will arrange a free needs assessment under the Care Act 2014, carried out by a social worker or occupational therapist who will look at daily living, mobility, safety and wellbeing. This is available to everyone, regardless of income or savings.
If the assessment identifies eligible needs, a separate financial assessment follows to work out how much, if anything, you will contribute. National capital thresholds apply, and Somerset Council uses these to decide whether the council pays in full, contributes partially, or whether you are self funding. A support plan is then agreed with you, which might involve care at home, a short stay for reablement, or a longer term move.
Choice of providers and typical costs
Families in Somerset have a genuinely wide choice, with around 313 CQC registered care homes spread across the county, from market towns like Frome and Chard to coastal Minehead and the larger centres of Taunton and Yeovil. This includes specialist dementia units, nursing homes for people with more complex health needs, and smaller residential care homes offering a homely setting.
As a general guide across the South West, home care typically costs around £22 to £30 per hour, residential care homes average roughly £900 to £1,200 per week, and nursing homes tend to sit between £1,100 and £1,500 per week depending on needs. Funding routes include local authority support, NHS Continuing Healthcare where health needs are primary, NHS funded nursing care contributions, deferred payment agreements against a property, and self funding. Somerset Council can talk you through each option so you can plan with confidence.
