London Borough of Waltham Forest

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

Arranging care in the London Borough of Waltham Forest

The London Borough of Waltham Forest covers Walthamstow, Leyton, Leytonstone and Chingford in north east London. Whether a family lives near Walthamstow Central, along Leytonstone High Road or up towards Chingford and the edge of Epping Forest, the starting point for arranging adult social care is the same: the local council. Waltham Forest is the responsible authority for supporting older residents and disabled adults living in these neighbourhoods.

Needs and financial assessments

Families usually begin by contacting Waltham Forest Adult Social Care to request a needs assessment. This is free, and it looks at how someone is managing day to day, from washing and dressing to getting out into the community. If eligible needs are identified, the council then carries out a financial assessment to work out how much the person contributes towards their care. As with all English councils, capital thresholds apply, so people with savings above the upper limit generally pay their own fees, while those below may receive full or part funding from the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

Local care choices

There are around 104 CQC registered care homes serving the Waltham Forest area, which gives families a reasonable choice when comparing residential care homes and nursing homes across Walthamstow, Leyton, Leytonstone and Chingford. Some households prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible and arrange home care visits instead, which can be built up gradually as needs change.

Paying for care

Funding can come from council support after a financial assessment, NHS Continuing Healthcare where health needs are the primary reason for care, Attendance Allowance, or private savings and property. As a general guide for the London area, home care typically costs around £25 to £32 per hour, residential care homes around £900 to £1,300 per week, and nursing homes higher again where nursing input is needed. Getting a written breakdown from any provider in Waltham Forest before signing is always sensible.