Torbay Council

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

Arranging care in Torbay

Torbay Council serves the English Riviera on the South West coast, covering Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. As a unitary authority, Torbay is responsible for adult social care across all three towns, meaning families have a single point of contact rather than juggling separate district and county services.

If you or a relative living in Torbay may need support, the first step is to contact Torbay Council's adult social care team to request a needs assessment. This assessment is free, regardless of income or savings, and looks at daily tasks, mobility, health conditions and the support already in place from family or neighbours. If the assessment identifies eligible needs, the council will then carry out a financial assessment to work out how much, if anything, you contribute towards your care. National capital thresholds apply, and Torbay uses these when deciding whether care is fully funded, partly funded or self funded.

The local care market

Torbay has a well established care sector, shaped in part by its popularity as a retirement destination. There are around 103 CQC registered care homes across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, giving families a reasonable choice of residential care homes and nursing homes, from smaller seaside properties to larger purpose built settings.

Paying for care and typical fees

Funding options in Torbay can include local authority funded care after a means test, NHS Continuing Healthcare for those with primarily health related needs, NHS funded nursing care contributions in nursing homes, direct payments so you can arrange your own support, and self funding. Fees vary by provider and level of need, but as a general guide families should expect home care to sit at around £20 to £30 an hour, residential care homes to fall broadly between £900 and £1,300 a week, and nursing homes to be higher again, often £1,100 to £1,500 a week.

Starting the conversation with Torbay Council early, even before care feels urgent, usually makes the next steps calmer and clearer.